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
Transportive post-punk/indie rock power trio Adwaith hit Exchange with sinewy, shimmering, reverb-drenched singalong anthems to belt out in your best Cymraeg. Catch em while you can in a venue this size! Big-time no brainer FFO: Warpaint, Belly, Katy J Pearson, Girl Ray, Prima Queen, Pip Blom.
Alpaca Presents | Adwaith + John MOuse at Exchange.
Sonic bliss meets sartorial genius with the second Strange Brew coming of Vogue tipped up’n’comer Sophie Spratley aka rabbit, featuring a fairycore fashion show followed by a stacked five band bill. Elanor Moss’ heartrending indie rock and unsetting alt-electronic duo Orbury Common are big highlights. More catwalk + gig combos please Bristol!
Rabbit party no.2 - AW24 show at Strange Brew.
Snarling, chaotic, punked-out rock burners, Pleasure Dome are the high octane Bristol band you need to curb your unhealthy Idles obsession. Catch them before they blow the hell up.
Alpaca Presents | The Pleasure Dome + Support at Exchange.
Exchange basement banger heralding delights from the fertile Philly indie scene: the irresistibly wistful Hurry promise jangle, hooks + harmonies straight out of the golden age of power pop. In great company with buoyant Glaswegian twee-poppers U.S. Highball, C86-style three-piece Silk Cuts and indie folk singer-songwriter Long Neck. Big FFO: Teenage Fanclub, The Lemonheads, Matthew Sweet, Trust Fund.
Indie rock/pop gig in the Exchange basement
More Photos of Indie Gigs in Bristol
What our editors say
“Twen is a van-lifeing rock band that emerged onto the east coast music scene in 2017 with their distinct blend of shoegaze, indie rock, and post-punk influences. Though the band was formed in 2016 by lead vocalist Jane Fitzimmons and guitarist Ian Rollins Jones, their emergence post-pandemic has marked the beginning of what is essentially an entirely new project; save for their keeping the name “Twen”.”
From: TWEN
“Bad Bad Hats is an indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Kerry Alexander and Chris Hoge met in college and formed the band in 2012. In the 10 years of BBH, they have toured the country several times in their trusty minivan, sampling the best local cuisine along the way. BBH has toured with The Beths, Margaret Glaspy, The Front Bottoms, Hippo Campus, and Michelle Branch, among many others. Their new album Bad Bad Hats is out April 12th, 2024 on Don Giovanni Records.”
From: BAD BAD HATS
“A restless energy and desire to connect with the listener lies at the core of Francis of Delirium, with Jana’s personal lyrics being underpinned by an undeniable rock sound that is as liberating as it is intense. Hailed as a Gen Zer excitingly redrawing 90s classic indie rock, a deep admiration for contemporary acts such as Car Seat Headrest, Japanese Breakfast, Mitski, Phoebe Bridgers and Sufjan Stevens is also abundantly clear.”
From: Francis of Delirium
“Wistful, melodic and joyfully unpredictable, Bristol-based indie-folkers Lifter have been releasing music and playing live since the end of 2021, and became the main focus of songwriter Harry Fanshawe after the breakup of Modern Rituals a year later. Also featuring Angus Rudd of the Death of Pop, the band released a collection of their first eight singles, “Everything So Far”, on September 27th, reflecting the lofi indie rock of the band's early sound, in the vein of Guided by Voices or Sebadoh. The new material they are currently performing and in the process of completing on record homes in on a folkier, lighter pastoral sound.”
From: LIFTER + OFEATHERSTONE + ANDY SKELLAM
“Nothing Rhymes With Orange celebrate a rebirth of indie rock with their anthemic originals. Passionate vocals, propelling drums and dreamy guitars bring their sound together and celebrate young culture in the UK.”
From: Alpaca Presents | Nothing Rhymes With Orange