Indie Gigs in Bristol

upcoming gig

Bristol's Indie Scene

Bristol has a decent spread of indie venues for both big names (keep your eye on the O2 Academy listings) and local up-and-coming indie bands. Perhaps the most important mid-sized indie venue is The Louisiana whose "played-here-before-they-were-really-famous" list boasts Bloc Party, Kings of Leon, Fleet Foxes and Muse.

What’s become of Indie music? For many of a certain generation the early 2000s were the peak of indie music here in Bristol and in the UK as a whole. Not to be confused with the association of independent music (although indie does stand for ‘independent music’) indie came out of the 80s DIY scene and peaked in the 00s mainstream with acts like the Strokes and the Libertines. So where is indie now? Now indie in Bristol might just amount to clubnights like Ramshackle, and we have the decline of grassroots music venues to blame maybe. So while independent music might always be around, the genre formerly known as indie might be dead!

Buy tickets for indie events in Bristol

Our recent indie recommendations

Local alt-country outfit Ead Wood deliver their homespun songs full of wry tenderness and understated twang. With a sharp eye for the melancholy triumphs of everyday life, they channel the bittersweet spirit of heartbreak into irresistible forms FFO: Whitney, Fust, This Is Lorelei, MJ Lenderman. Ead Wood at Cafe Kino.

Romantic-noir crooner for our ages, Mark William Lewis’ uncanny allure is inescapable. Recently signed to the cult A24, his devastatingly poetic, intricately cinematic songwriting magic is paired with Tony Bontana’s introspective left-field rap for a fully enthralling Brew outing. Mark william lewis + Tony Bontana at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! Inventive jazz fusion ensemble melding afrofunk, afrobeat, gnawa and rumba into a fire-breathing 9-headed psychedelic beast. Muito Kaballa are a force to be reckoned with FFO: Fela Kuti, Tenderlonious, L'éclair, Surprise Chef, the Pyramids. Muito Kaballa at The Jam Jar.

Brighton power-trio here to pulverise the Louie with propulsive melodrama: PROJECTOR hit the sweet spot between the post-punk grit of Interpol, Pixies et al and Spoon-esque melodiousness to make pure grunge-pop magic. No-contest new faves FFO: Sonic Youth, The Breeders, CLT DRP, Fraulein, DITZ. PROJECTOR + TOWNHOUSES + NOBODY'S DAD at The Louisiana.

More Photos of Indie Gigs in Bristol

What our editors say

““Karly Hartzman’s storytelling remains a beautifully magpie-like collection of little details drawn from memory and observation, woven together into a transcendent indie rock tapestry.” - The AV Club”
From: Wednesday + Bleary Eyed

“SupaLung a firecracker of a four-piece that’s quickly becoming essential listening—and witnessing—for fans of live alt-indie rock with depth, joy and groove. Fronted by the hauntingly earnest vocals and sharp songwriting of Sam Brookes, and co-piloted by multi-instrumentalist and producer Pete Josef, SupaLung is not just a band—it’s a moment, a feeling, a sonic hug with the heart of a drum that kicks.”
From: Supalung + Yarmouth & MossFellow

“Oscar Blue is a singer-songwriter hailing from Co. Clare in the west of Ireland. His music embodies a unique sound rooted in folk and storytelling traditions, while fusing indie pop and rock influences. Drawing inspiration from his rural upbringing and the ever-changing world around him, Oscar's exploration of the human condition and personal experience resonate deeply with fans across the globe.”
From: Oscar Blue

“Kean Kavanagh's musical and personal journey has taken him from America to Ireland; from law firms to indie labels, making him one of Ireland’s most buzzed-about indie artists. After attracting attention during the COVID-19 pandemic with the mixtape Dog Person a mix of electronic and soul influences he really came into his own with 2025’s The County Star, a thoughtful album of winning indie rock story songs.”
From: Kean Kavanagh + special guests

“Brighton-based CIEL blend moody indie rock, shoegaze, post-punk and triphop—atmospheric yet urgent, with heavy guitars, pulsing basslines and vintage synths backing Dutch-born frontwoman Michelle Hindriks’ haunting vocals. Their sound evokes Slowdive, Wolf Alice and The Cure—ethereal but punchy, nostalgic yet fresh.”
From: CIEL + ZIGGY 2000