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

British folk iconoclast Chris Wood graces the candlelit hush of John Wesley’s New Room. His everyday epics sketch sharp-edged portraits of England’s many overlooked lives, from empty nests to minor league football teams to tragedies of industrial decay. Acute compassion ballads FFO: Martin Carthy, Karine Polwart, Billy Bragg, Richard Dawson. Chris Wood at John Wesley’s New Room.

Sell out warning! Granny’s Attic craft a mischievous folk playground, weaving original tunes into centuries-old reels and laments with effortless virtuosity. Crisp melodies, playful textures, and infectious energy celebrate the living, breathing pulse of the folk tradition. Joyous foot-stomping magic FFO: Jack Rutter, Eliza Carthy, Salt House. Granny's Attic - Greenbank Folk Club at St Anne's Church, Eastville.

Sell out warning! Kiss Facility unites Sega Bodega’s prodigious production alchemy with Mayah Alkhateri’s gossamer Arabic vocals, all refracted through a prism of shoegaze longing and soaring avant-pop emotivity. Prepare to be utterly transfixed by the ultimate creative power couple in an absolute no-brainer FFO: Erika de Casier, Eartheater, Nadah El Shazly Kiss Facility at Strange Brew.

Marauding Norsemen Agabas charge into town wielding their self-coined ‘deathjazz’: a pummeling uptempo rawk engine with a thrash gallop, horn blasts strafing through the noise, and shredding throat growls atop a storm of riffs and rhythms. A cataclysmic ruin ritual FFO: Kvelertak, Imperial Triumphant, Slipknot, Converge. AGABAS at Exchange.

More Photos of Funk, Soul and Motown in Bristol

What our editors say

“Nick Bodywork from Erratic Batting says: "My love affair with Melbourne music continues with the booking of Karate Boogaloo. We caught these guys up close when they supported Surprise Chef at Bristol Beacon last year. Their music moves fluidly between classic funk, Italian library, jazz, cinematic grooves and hip hop breaks with astounding musicianship."”
From: Karate Boogaloo

“Expect an intoxicating collision of worlds as hypnotic polyrhythms and soaring vocals meet the raw, modern energy of UK jazz, heavy funk, soul, and afrobeat. Born from an Arts Council-funded exploration to push traditional Gnawa into contemporary international spaces, Tagna Groove delivers an immersive, high-energy live experience designed to lift the spirit and move the dance floor.”
From: Mohamed Errebbaa & Tagna Groove

“We've got saxes, trumpets, trombones, guitar, bass, keys, drums - everything you could want from a jazz band! Triple Scoop's fun and jazzy vibe covers a large selection of music, from traditional swing to funk, meaningful melodies to jazzed-up versions of children's TV themes and 80s crowd pleasers. There's something for everyone to enjoy at our shows. We have a big sound where the crowd can move and dance, finding positivity and connection in our modern take on a classic sound that's filled with history.”
From: Triple Scoop Big Band at The Hen & Chicken Studio

“> > 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.Brass funk classics with some supreme soul gems flavoured in the bands own style, make for a great gig. Steve Henwood of Glastonbury festivals and the Bell inn, Bath recently said of us"blast your blues away with one of the best brass sections you'll hear all year..don’t be daft, be here! “ > > Instagram: @totalclusterfunk”
From: Total Clusterfunk - Bristol Soul funk

“Over their fifteen plus years on the international folk scene, UFQ have achieved something remarkable - garnering a reputation as a crowd-pulling, energising act, whilst also maintaining fierce commercial and musical independence. Their output is built on hearty fiddle-led music that draws heavily from celtic dance forms and traditional song - but from there on in it is unlike any folk band you’ve ever heard. UFQ’s approach to the folk ethos is to embrace any and every influence that genuinely makes sense of their time and place and makes sense in their music. From funk grooves to middle-eastern melodies, afrobeat to north Indian rhythms.”
From: Urban Folk Quartet - Greenbank Folk Club