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! Louisville indie rock three-piece Wombo return to Bristol. Step into their murky, cavernous, post-punk-tinted haze, where cyclical basslines and combative drums shape slow-stalking tonal landscapes for Sydney Chadwick’s turbulent lyrics. Essential FFO: Truth Club, Dummy, Just Mustard, Water From Your Eyes. Wombo at Exchange.

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 + Plantfood at The Jam Jar.

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What our editors say

“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

““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

“District Social Club are Liverpool’s latest indie rock export, quickly making waves with their soaring melodies, chorus-driven guitars, and unapologetically honest lyrics. Formed on Merseyside and already turning heads in both their hometown and London, the band’s songs dive into the raw edges of relationships, mental health, and self-reflection - delivered with charisma and heartfelt energy.”
From: District Social Club

“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