What's On / Bristol Gigs / funk and soul

Funk, Soul and Motown in Bristol

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Bristol's Funk And Soul Scene

Funk and soul - the secret undercurrent to Bristol music?
Funk and soul is now synonymous with radio personalities like Craig Charles and long-running nights like Soul Train (in Bristol). While its roots are deep, there was a period in the 90s when soul ran freely through the city via trip-hoppers Massive Attack who combined a soulful edge with current, to the minute electronic production. The more tortured soulful grooves of Tricky were like a bleak West Country version of neo-soul acts like Erykah Badu. While these acts rarely get called soul, their debt to 70s funk and soul legends like Sly and the Family Stone, James Brown and Bootsy Collins is undeniable.

Live Funk in Bristol
Funk isn't huge in Bristol but there are still some good funk bands playing regular gigs, even if the market is slightly smaller than it used to be. Quality hammond led jazz-funk jams can often be found at the Golden Lion on Gloucester road. For faster more sweaty funk gigs, keep and eye on what's on at the Mr Wolfs in Bristol city centre.

Live Soul in Bristol
In the early 2000's there was a much needed soul revival in the UK. At the core of this revival was Brighton and in particular it's Tru-Thoughts record label. Artists like Alice Russell and Belleruche ventured into 'nu-soul', while bands like the Quantic Soul Orchestra revisited raw early funk. While the albums made during this period were nothing hugely special, the performances that came with them were a welcome return of quality and engaging soul music. Being an important city in the UK's live music scene, Bristol and it's venues were (and still are) a key tour-stop for modern soul gigs. Whilst the revival is not as strong as it was, there are still some consistent soul and funk venues in Bristol to check whats on. Trinity Centre is the new home of Tru-thoughts / Stones Throw / Freestyle Recs type tours, with recent (2010) Bristol events including Belleruche, Speedometer and The Bamboos. The 02 Academy, Colston Hall and the Bristol Thekla are Bristol's main venues for bigger name musicians or comeback tours for legendary Motown and soul singers. It's also worth checking the Lost Horizon listings, they seem to have a great ability of booking upcoming talent before it hits the big time. While not strictly soul or funk, the venue has hosted some great cross over artists including Little Dragon and The Apples.

The Park Bar in Clifton with it's Hot Buttered Soul nights is also worth looking into.

If you're looking for disco clubnights in Bristol check the mainstream city centre venues (which we don't list on this website).

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Our recent funk and soul recommendations

Sensuous Levantine neo-psych threading together hypnotic tarab melodies with soft pop grooves and a nostalgic nod to 70s Turkish rock, funk and soul. Kazdoura are set to drench The Jar with trance-inducing vocals, swirling rhythms and sun-washed instrumentation FFO: Khruangbin, Bedouin Burger, Altin Gün. Kazdoura at The Jam Jar.

Sullow unspool psychogeographic banjo-raga drift, The Greater London Banjo Trio channel lost traditions into rattling communal revival, and Fohn & Norman Church weave dulcimer, fiddle and spectral electronics into hushed harbour elegies. Add balladry from Scottish sean-nós torchbearer Ewen MacIntyre and this is a folkloric fever-dream FFO: caroline, William Tyler, Henry Flynt, Shovel Dance, Milkweed. Sullow / Greater London Banjo Trio / Fohn & Norman Church / Ewen MacIntyre at Cafe Kino.

Danish-Ghanaian supergroup Total Hip Replacement & Anyankofo serve The Jam Jar a powerful fusion of reggae, highlife, afrobeat, dub and soul. With a 9-piece lineup, tight horn section and infectious energy, this live show kickstarts their European tour – catch 'em while you can. Danish/Ghanaian highlife and reggae supergroup, featuring members of the Pat Thomas and Ebo Taylor bands

Dilla-worthy breaks, grooves and languid guitar lines bumping together in a dusty atmosphere of downbeat jazz-funk / boom-bap soul-stirrers. Guaranteed blunted beauty inside FFO: Surprise Chef, Khruangbin, BADBADNOTGOOD, The Heliocentrics. Embellished with a range of influences from disco and house, to samba and funk.

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What our editors say

“Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, the eight-piece ensemble is led by the dynamic Paul Janeway, whose vocals have earned comparisons to the greats. Their new self-titled sixth album, recorded at the legendary FAME Studios, marks a return to raw, heartfelt soul—blending gospel, psych-funk, and cinematic rock with a renewed sense of purpose.”
From: St Paul & The Broken Bones

“Total Clusterfunk are a Bristol Soul funk 8 piece who’s shows are getting a great rep . Comprising members of Roni Size and Reprazent, The Federation and Massive, this crew give the audience a rollercoaster of a ride.”
From: Total Clusterfunk

“Tom McGuire & the Brassholes are a funk soul powerhouse from Glasgow. Combining rich arrangements with meticulous songcraft and untouchable in live performance, the band is carving a niche of their own. Since their debut in 2019, the band has steadily built a dedicated following with their high-energy performances and unique, genre-blending sound.”
From: Tom McGuire & The Brassholes

“Pianist-composer Philip Clouts is best known as one of the moving spirits in the irresistibly eclectic, critically acclaimed, African-infused world-jazz outfit ZubopGambia. His distinctive jazz-world fusion music is inspired by the natural beauty of his rural Dorset home but has deep roots in the gentle township jive of his native South Africa, cross-pollinated with lilting, carefree calypso; hip-swaying Latin American jazz; vivacious West African Afrobeat; relaxed New Orleans street funk; and earthy, gospel-fired soul-jazz.”
From: PHILIP CLOUTS WORLD JAZZ QUARTET

“Self-taught pianist and composer Daniel Inzani has been a pivotal figure on the Bristol alternative music scene for more than a decade. He leads a neoclassical chamber quartet Spindle Ensemble, co-curates Hidden Notes Festival in Stroud, and he’s worked with a baffling array of outfits, playing Ethiopian funk, Indonesian gamelan, rocksteady, 1950s-style exotica and post rock, as well as working closely with fellow maverick musicians Alabaster dePlume and Cosmo Sheldrake.”
From: PLAY