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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.

Buy tickets for pop events in Bristol

Our recent pop recommendations

Wayne Snow’s Afrofuturist neo-soul and richly textured R&B are deeply shaped by icons like Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, Sade, Sun Ra, and King Sunny Adé. Expect glowing falsetto, cinematic atmospheres, and lulling club grooves that stir the spirit and soothe the spirit. Wayne Snow at The Jam Jar.

Hedonistic-as-hell garage punk from Arizona, Class hit Kino with driving rhythms, insanely catchy vocal hooks, and melodic joy cutting straight to the energetic heart of power-pop. Catch 'em splitting top billing with old-school lo-fi indie served by Missouri’s Soup Activists: psychedelic distortion, jangly guitars, and plenty of acerbic wit. Outsider bliss FFO: Exploding Hearts, Television Personalities, The Raincoats. CLASS , STUPID WORLD and SEIZURE SALAD at Cafe Kino.

A sweet double dose of Isle of Eigg cult microlabel Lost Map: the carnivalesque psych-folk of seven-member Cornish collective Blind Yeo promises to carry the Jar to new cosmic heights, bolstered by gloopy electro-indie-pop from label founder Pictish Trail. Fans of Tunng, The Beta Band, Melin Melyn, Jane Weaver et al – jump on it. Blind Yeo + Pictish Trail at The Jam Jar.

A true cult icon of global dance music, Ata Kak blends infectious Ghanaian highlife, hip-hop, with lo-fi electronic funk. His legendary live show is a high-energy celebration of rhythm, joy, and underground spirit... a rare chance to witness a pioneer in full force FFO: Ebo Taylor, Francis Bebey, Penny Penny. ATA KAK + Support at The Jam Jar.

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 + Moleface & the Best Band in the Galaxy + Treemask

“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