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Bristol's Pop Scene

80s pop, 90s pop, Bristol has all kinds of pop. Go down the Harbourside on any night of the week and the streets are packed with queuing punters going out to hear the latest tracks and pop classics from days gone by. Bristol's thriving club scene means you can go out and hear almost any music. Another key area is the Clifton Triangle (especially for students) where cheap nights and drink deals at clubs like Po Na Na and Mbargo's are all the rage.

On the live circuit, you can experience plenty of pop music in Bristol. Like any major city, larger concert venues cater towards and music and, along with Cardiff, Bristol is one of the key cities in the West (and South-West) for any international touring act to be playing. Larger venues like the O2 Academy and Colston Hall are great places to see groups of all kind.

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Our recent pop recommendations

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.

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.

Resusci-Anne drag you to the Jam Jar's haunted depths with stories of drowned heroines and pop culture phantoms, all told through a delirious, banjo-soundtracked blurring of experimental musical theatre, spoken word saga, and folk horror bardism. A weird, wet fever dream. Resusci-Anne at The Jam Jar.

Biiiig find for fans of the Windmill scene avant-garde as breakout Belfastian noise boys Stratford Rise take the wheel for the latest Cellar Door. Jostling in the backseat: warm-blooded power-emos Pushbike, grubby dance-punks Why Horses?, fried dream-rockers New Build and Bristol’s own art pop oddities The Scuttlers, PLUS a multimedia showcase for good measure. Stacked! Stratford Rise at The Louisiana.

What our editors say

“Born in Puerto Plata to Taíno Native and Italian heritage, Alden was raised in Germany but found her artistic home in Dublin, Ireland, where she first made a name for herself playing on the streets. She now crafts a sound that bridges folk and pop music —rooted in her folk music upbringing yet enriched with subtle electronica and warm acoustics. Often compared to Daughter or Birdy, her songs explore human connection and growth.”
From: Laura Alden

“Emelina Murphy is a rising Bristol-based artist whose music channels the daring spirit of 70s and 80s art pop and rock. Inspired by Kate Bush, Björk, and David Bowie, her sound blends theatrical flair with emotional depth for a genre-blurring, distinctive experience. On stage, Emelina is magnetic — her immersive, high-energy performances are designed to leave a lasting impression.”
From: Emelina Murphy + Treemask + Lara Rxse

“Holysseus Fly, the solo project of Ishmael Ensemble singer and keyboardist Holly Wellington creates lush, alternative pop tinged with soul and jazz influences has become a journey of personal & creative reclamation.”
From: Holysseus Fly + Bethany Kyle & Eli Jitsuto + Scarlett Loran

“Taking influence from artists such as Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, New Order and The Flaming Lips – Pynch write idiosyncratic pop music for the 21st century. In his lyrics, Spencer searches for meaning while offering dry observations about pop-culture, conspiracies and McDonalds; juxtaposing the spiritual with the everyday to the sound of a slacker synth-pop rhapsody.”
From: Pynch + Oslo Twins & Darius Zaltash

“In the months following the release of Mirror In Blue Light, the band received significant support from the likes of CLASH, B24/7, Fame Magazine, Crack Magazine, and international radio play from Nashville to Japan. These milestones have helped build strong momentum around the album, which draws from the band’s signature blend of alternative pop, psychedelia, and jazz.”
From: Mild Orange / Magic Shoppe / Pocket Sun