Indie Gigs in Bristol

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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!

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Our recent indie recommendations

Sell-out warning! Nottingham’s freak-pop melodrama merchants Divorce bring a luminous tonic to Trinity. Serving up a smorgasbord of bitter and bright bedroom ditties that draw you in with an inviting glow then punt you right in the feelings. Unmissable FFO: Mitski, BCNR, Indigo De Souza, Grizzly Bear. DIVORCE + CURIOSITY SHOP at The Trinity Centre.

Huge huge treat for the DIY indie scene as beloved lo-fi balladeer Perkie makes a rare live outing; their melodic anti-folk-meets-avant-pop is in prime company with ex-Sissy power-punk Leigh Arthur, Permapup’s tender-hearted twee pop and Dyke Mother’s emerging experimental grunge. Essential session FFO: Emmy the Great, Erica Freas, This Is The Kit, Darren Hayman, Trust Fund. Perkie, Leigh Arthur, Permapup, & Dyke Mother at Cafe Kino.

Static spills across The Old E as local art punk outfit Year of the Rabbit deliver knotty, slow-burn noise scrapes, raising money for female-led neurodivergence-celebrating zine Neon Daisy. If you caught ‘em tearing the roof off Sportsmans at Simple Things, you’ll know they’re not one to miss. Bruised euphoria FFO: DITZ, Sonic Youth, Gilla Band, Dream Wife. Year of the Rabbit Fundraiser for NeonDaisy at The Old England Pub.

Dim Wizard deliver radiant power-pop (led by ex-Spoonboy/Bad Moves legend David Combs) with geeky humour, cultural references, and positively gargantuan hooks. Expect bright, restless melodies on par with fellow indie-punk newschoolers like Ratboys, Superviolet, Jeff Rosenstock and Illuminati Hotties. Dim Wizard, Cheerbleederz & Hamburger at The Croft.

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What our editors say

“The "Sports" band from Oklahoma is an indie-pop group known for their '80s-influenced, breezy sound, formed by brothers Jacob and Christian Theriot and vocalist Cale Chronister. The group have been notching up viral indie pop bangers, building a global fanbase on their own terms. ⁠”
From: SPORTS + special guests

“Based in Brooklyn, The Antlers began as Peter Silberman’s solo project, gradually evolving into a larger ensemble with Michael Lerner and formerly Darby Cicci. Their music blends indie rock with elements of art rock, dream pop, chamber pop and ambient textures.”
From: The Antlers + special guests

“Leith Ross is a Canadian indie rock singer-songwriter and guitarist, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They recorded their debut EP, Motherwell, while studying at Humber College, and subsequently found success on TikTok, most prominently with the song "We'll Never Have Sex" in August 2021.”
From: Leith Ross

“Celebrated for their sharp songwriting, unpretentious charm and jaw-dropping musicianship, The Wave Pictures bring their timeless mix of indie rock, blues and off-beat wit to Strange Brew.”
From: The Wave Pictures

““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