A hiphop gig in Bristol

Hiphop & Rap in Bristol

upcoming gig

Bristol's Hiphop Scene

Bristol’s Hiphop Explosion in 2022?

Hip-hop is big in Bristol in 2022, but it’s never really gone away. Acts like the High Breed bring meaning back to hip-hop in the Bristol underground scene, which some Bristol rap artists have cited as limiting on their chance of success (as compared to their London hip-hop rivals). The shadow of Bristol trip-hop still looms large, with Massive Attack and Tricky being the defining moment for some (and anything else that doesn’t conform to this is swept aside). Hip-hop nights in Bristol set to redefine this, nights booking international hip-hop artists like Next Up and Raise the Bar (who combine hip-hop and spoken word).

It is often said that graffiti is the written expression of hiphop and a key element in hiphop cuture, however the huge quantity of graffiti and comparatively small amount of hiphop in Bristol suggests otherwise... While Bristol is certainly a key stopover for big rap and hiphop tours with artists like De La Soul and Wu Tang Clan playing Bristol's big venues, smaller hiphop events are less prominent.

Although not exclusively hiphop venues it's worth checking the listings for The LAB club, Mr Wolfs and The Croft. Metropolis has emerged as reliable hiphop venue with past guests including Ugly Duckling, Peanut Butter Wolf and Arrested Development. The Contraband Sessions held at The Golden Lion on Gloucester Road every Wednesday can be a good place to find free, Bristolian hiphop gigs.

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Our recent hiphop recommendations

Sell out warning! Thee mightiest Holy Tongue incarnation cometh! Adding Bristol raw improv icon Dali de Saint Paul to an already-flawless unit hellbent on historical On U Sound punk-funk destruction - all leylines lead to Brew for this sacral homecoming of mystical post-punk heritage, from Pop Group to Skull Disco to EP/64 to bold and future lands... Schwet with Holy Tongue and Ladr Ache at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! Seize your chance to see Falmouth’s finest Lost Map-approved carnivalesque psych-folk collective. Blind Yeo are gonna carry the Jam Jar to new cosmic heights with wonky, motorik-tinged pastoralism (and a goblin outfit or three) – this one’s set to ignite fans of: Tunng, The Beta Band, Melin Melyn, Gong. Blind Yeo + Baby Deltic at The Jam Jar.

Globally adored for dialling up the kosmische with 21st century fusion GOATs The Comet Is Coming, Danalogue steps out to the fore in this dazzling analogue synth journey through all known galaxies. Timelessly distilling everything from 60s Moog stargazing to 80s acid house to 00s chillwave, this is the birth of a brave new world FFO: Wally Badarou, Lone, Legowelt, Space Dimension Controller. Danalogue AV Show at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! "I AM THE BLACK JAMES DEAN!!!!" Falle Nioke shouts over Peter Hook-style post-punk bounce, in a truly insane cocktail of driving 80s motorik and warped afro-futurist disco vision. Pigeon are seriously hot, Soundway says so, and this is one outernational space station your ass really needs to dock at. The crest of a big big wave FFO: William Onyeabor, Talking Heads, Joshua Idehen, ESG. PIGEON at Strange Brew.

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A hiphop band in Bristol 2026

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

“This is Lets Talk, our hip hop/jazz fusion jam on the last Monday of every month! A hip hop/jazz fusion jam on the last Monday of every month! Entry is free but feel free to jam out with the Lets Talk musicians! Whether you’re a musician ready to jump on stage, a vocalist looking to freestyle or simply someone who loves great live music, everyone is welcome.”
From: Let's Talk Jam

“This event is an open mic/live jam hybrid celebrating all forms of vocal skills. Expect hip hop, rnb, reggae, garage, trap, dnb, grime, drill and just about anything else. Involving solo showcases, collaborations, freestyle games & of course a massive cypher at the finale!”
From: Cypher Space

“The Line up will feature Hannah Allen playing her unreleased project developed in Eswatini in collaboration with London based producer and multi instrumentalist Mrisi providing textures with traditional Southern African instrumentation, and Double Bass player Bill Frampton. Playlisting will be curated by Mlandvo Masuku (The Kitchen Radio) and will take listeners on a journey through Southern African Jazz, soul and hip hop, with a spotlight on Eswatini’s most prolific artists currently.”
From: Hannah Allen ft. Bill Frampton and Mrisi

“Forward thinking, British Born, Irish/Ugandan Poet and Songwriter Amy True has been delivering her unique fusion of politicised hip hop, jazz and soul since 2011. A true wordsmith, Amy’s steady stream of conscious, iconoclastic verse sits in visceral harmony amongst soulful melodic hooks and rich jazz motifs as she punches out poetry with unapologetic flare.”
From: Amy True + Temple Collective DJs til late

Trending Hiphop Gigs

SCALER at The Trinity Centre
— The Trinity Centre
electronic trip hop techno metal
Reggaeton Party  November at Thekla
— Thekla
reggaeton hip hop R&B
Featuring Split Prophets | J Man | AudioFlux | Properjob at The Trinity Centre
CHUCK STRANGERS + SAMY SHARIF + 4103 at Rough Trade Bristol
— Rough Trade Bristol
hip hop rap
Toby's Comedy show at The Greyhound
— The Greyhound
emo rap swing comedy stand-up comedy
Collector Cave B.Y.O.V at Artist Residence Bristol
— Artist Residence Bristol
disco alternative hip hop northern soul workshops & classes lgbtq+
A hiphop band in Bristol 2026

Bristol's Trending Live Music Venues

Exchange The Louisiana Jam Jar The Trinity Centre The Marble Factory Rough Trade Bristol

More Photos of Hiphop & Rap in Bristol

Band playing at a hiphop gig A hiphop gig in Bristol
We Kissed A Girl at The Thunderbolt
— The Thunderbolt
Sold out
NBM Sound Presents - Phoenix Sessions at The Phoenix
— The Phoenix
breakbeat drum and bass hip hop jungle
Hot Jams at To The Moon
— To The Moon
disco funk hip hop jungle reggae
FELIX JOY B2B BEN DALEY at The Gallimaufry
— The Gallimaufry
disco funk hip hop house soul
Children of Zeus + Kwazi at Strange Brew
— Strange Brew
hip hop soul R&B
Introduction to DJing with Indian Man: ages 8-12 at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
turntablism workshops & classes family
Kiss Facility  + Róisín El Cherif at Strange Brew
— Strange Brew
downtempo shoegaze trip hop
EAST STREET BABY LAUNCH PARTY at CanCanPizza
RECORD LABEL HANG ft. GOODLOOKS ENTERTAINMENT at The Gallimaufry
— The Gallimaufry
alternative hip hop hip hop underground hip hop
Toby's Comedy Club at The Crafty Egg (Fishponds)
— The Crafty Egg (Fishponds)
emo rap swing comedy stand-up comedy
Amy True + Temple Collective DJs til late at The Canteen
— The Canteen
hip hop jazz soul spoken word poetry
WesGhost at Exchange
— Exchange
Sold out
WONKA B2B D.A.D at The Gallimaufry
— The Gallimaufry
disco funk hip hop house soul
An Afternoon Of Dilla 2026 at BiMM Institute
— BiMM Institute
alternative hip hop hip hop neo soul old school hip hop underground hip hop