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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

Imagine an extra-terrestrial raised on a heady diet of Edith Piaf, The Space Lady, Soviet Kitsch-era Regina Spektor and dada cabaret, and you’re halfway to the sublime Mary Ocher. Her cerebral, operatic krautwork wouldn’t feel out of place in a ‘20s Berlin bar yet sits totally out of time (and space). A hymnary beamed from the cosmos, probably FFO: Molly Nilsson, Anna Von Hausswolf, Klaus Nomi, Kate Bush. MARY OCHER at The Old England Pub.

Step into the world of Les Disques Ominson, a Parisian imprint exploring wandering cosmic pop and DIY experimental dub for the freax. Outsider sonics collapsing inwards through uncharted lo-fi psychedelia, post-rock motifs and haunting electronics – big FFO: On-U Sound, Sheriff Lindo, Giulio Erasmus, HLM38. Les Disques Omnison at The Cube.

A special gathering for the teetotal queers! Boussé baddie Gender Criminal is at the Loko helm with drag artistry and emcee theatrics, alongside Juju’s goth-pop melodrama, baroque electro from Kerensa, and underground star DJ Slaggamuffin keeping things moving with bass and baile funk bangers. Dry = / = juiceless! Sober Queers presents Juju | Slaggamuffin | Kerensa | Gender Criminal at Loco Klub.

Second show added due to massive demand! Beloved Ohio indie-emo quartet Remember Sports bring their ripping alt-pop and sunroof-dropping riffs to town. Big scrappy rave-ups with both goofy earnestness and subtle emotional insight – these are loud anthems for quiet people. FFO: Ratboys, Joyce Manor, Alvvays. Remember Sports at Exchange.

What our editors say

“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

“EMELINA MURPHY 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