upcoming gig

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.

Buy tickets for pop events in Bristol

Our recent pop recommendations

Missed the first wave of mushroom trance rock? Well, come ride the new wave – where Kikagaku Moyo-style space rock melds with the mischievous Spiral Tribe free party spirit and Ichi’s DIY instrument dada-pop, in a magic eye message beamed from a distant planet FFO: Ozric Tentacles, Henge, The Comet Is Coming, Moon Duo (on speed). Super Jet Kinoko + Ichi at Strange Brew.

A UK debut for Soga’s visceral, solidarity-fuelled hardcore, tearing outta CDMX with the coveted Iron Lung seal of approval! Urgent aural warfare against state violence and patriarchal oppression shoulder2shoulder with Bristol’s only punk band Gimic, femme/themme hellraisers Leashed, and Perp Walk-adjacent powerviolence from Mental Pressure. Unbeatable FFO: Los Crudos, The Nurse, Tercer Mundo, Riña. SOGA , GIMIC, LEASHED and MENTAL PRESSURE at The Golden Lion.

6 fab Bristol acts rally together in Clifton’s historic church, raising funds for 3 women to escape Gaza and take their place at Glasgow Uni. It’s a cracking lineup, with Bristol’s much-loved Eve Appleton Band unveiling their lush Celtic-cum-Americana balladry alongside Eva Penney’s emotionally charged singer-songwriter delights, banjo maestro Dan Pacini and more. Dig deep! GIG FOR GAZA at St Paul's, Clifton.

A haunted jukebox of gnarled noise and unsettling noir-pop: Grubbing’s string-shot mutant discordance is pure Gilla Band x Velvet Underground with the menace dialled to max; Lynchian dream siren Patsy Delve delivers reverb-drenched post-doo-wop; and Group Sounds disintegrate in real time via absurdist psych-fuzz freakouts. More New Weird Bristol pls! Art Punk, Noise Rawk, Cow Gaze, Post core

What our editors say

“Priscilla Andersohn is a singer/songwriter rooted in the London and Bristol scene. She crafts atmospheric alternative pop rooted in live instrumentation and emotional depth. Performing with bass, guitar and percussion, her music unfolds slowly and expansively, blending rhythm and texture to create an immersive live experience. Her sound is moody, spacious and quietly powerful — drawing audiences into a world that feels both intimate and cinematic. A night of moody alternative pop and atmospheric electronic music awaits. Website: www.priscillaandersohn.com Instagram: @priscillaandersohn”
From: Priscilla Andersohn- DIASPORA FESTIVAL

“BLUE BAYOU Blue Bayou are a new wave, chamber pop band with horns and strings. They flit between ballads and dance numbers, slacker rock and art pop: eight bands in an eight song set. This is music in the fashion of Costello’s knocking knees.”
From: Big Long Sun - Valentine's Special

“Join Molly Fletcher Hebden, Brogan Ritchie, and The Episodes for a night of alternative pop-rock and indie energy, with Ladybird kicking things off with a special acoustic set. Expect infectious melodies, gritty riffs, and a night of music you won’t forget”
From: Molly Fletcher Hebden

“Collaborations have also seen him working extensively in pop music, writing instrumental arrangements for songwriters including Little Annie, Baby Dee, and Ladan Hussein (aka Cold Specks). He has toured internationally as a solo artist and has performed with acts such as Timber Timbre, Cold Specks, Devon Sproule, and Mercury Prize nominated band Guillemots.”
From: SWIG featuring Chris Cundy and Rachel Musson

“Emelina Murphy is a rising Bristol based artist whose music channels the daring spirit of the 70s and 80s art pop and rock era. Inspired by the likes of Kate Bush, Björk, and Cindy Lauper, her sound blends theatrical flair with emotional depth, offering a distinctive and genre blurring experience. On stage, Emelina is magnetic her dynamic performances are immersive, high energy, and designed to leave a lasting impression.”
From: Haystack's Alt Night