Punk Gigs in Bristol

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Bristol's Punk Scene

The longstanding, big-names in American punk have found home in many of Bristol’s large gig venues with The O2 Academy, The Fleece and Bristol Bierkeller catching the most footfall. The area around Old Market has undoubtedly built a renaissance of forward-thinking, British punk music. The Exchange and the Stag and Hounds are arguably leading the way with new, up and coming talent. Fans of the older punk scene can find tributes to bands like The Ramones and The Sex Pistols at The Tunnels, The Fleece and The Thunderbolt.

What is the link between punks and anarchism in bristol?

Bristol has a deep anarchist subculture with a local wing of the Anarchist Federation and world-famous bristol punk bands like the Pop Group. But what does an increase in local anarchist activity have to do with the Bristol punk scene? In truth, punks and anarchists might have had a closer link at the birth of the punk scene in 1977, but not all punks are anarchists and Vice versa. Many ‘punk’ looking people maybe be blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date. Leave Bristol punks alone.

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Our recent punk recommendations

Sell out warning! Night In Athens’ twisted gothic synth-punk and cinematic coldwave meets OWLS’ pulsating EBM for a Bristol double debut of darkwave seduction. Completed by Strange Futures’ glacial electro-punk, this is an essential one FFO: Boy Harsher, Molchat Doma, Lebanon Hanover, Drab Majesty. Night In Athens + OWLS + Strange Futures at Zed Alley.

Sell out warning! Seismic Bristol return for these incendiary garage-punk / prog-jazz / heavy psych disciples. From LA they came, riding heady clouds of sax squall into stoner fuzz pedal storms, screaming with proto-punk falsettos and afro-funk chops. This’ll be a serious third eye watering FFO: Osees, Ty Segall, King Gizzard, Bitches Brew, Witch, King Crimson. FRANKIE AND THE WITCH FINGERS at Strange Brew.

A hot slice of Antipodean egg!!! Take your best power-pop melodies, drench them in burnt-out fuzz and wriggling modulation, and you’ve got bubblegum synth-punk brats Gee Tee. Catch 'em in this hemisphere while you can! Unmissable stuff FFO: Prison Affair, Snõõper, Powerplant, Tee Vee Repairman. GEE TEE at Exchange.

Live cumbia direct from Bogotá! La Perla are here for a good time, exuding transcendent harmonies and intricate percussive grooves all grounded in Colombian folk roots, Caribbean sonic traditions and a radical punk spirit. The Jam Jar’s spoiling us rotten: this Bristol debut’s been a long long time coming, and there’s really nowhere / no one else representing Latinx riddims like this! La Perla at The Jam Jar.

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What our editors say

“Those who are down and out will hopefully get back on their feet again at some point. But where exactly does the point begin where things start to get better? Is it that clear-cut? Is the worst still ahead of you—or are you already well on the road to recovery? SHORELINE also ask themselves this question and dedicate an entire album to it: Is This The Low Point Or The Moment After? Their new songs undoubtedly propel the band from Münster to the peak of their creative powers: emo and hardcore meet a newfound passion for alternative rock, smart songwriting, and lyrics that go where it hurts.”
From: Shoreline

“Shaking Hand Shaking Hand are a Manchester trio who construct long slowburning post-rock in multiple tunings and time signatures, taking inspiration from modernist architecture, 90s US alternative and midwestern emo. The band’s musical DNA runs through experimental guitar outfits like Women, Slint, Sonic Youth, Pavement, and Ulrika Spacek, balanced with the melodic sensibility of Big Thief and the dynamic intimacy of Yo La Tengo. Holly Head Manchester punk-groove noiseniks Normal Village 1000 Legs Bristol Bug Punk”
From: Shaking Hand

“Downloaded are a high-energy tribute band celebrating Download Festival, with a setlist packed full of crowd favourite songs from the festival’s biggest acts. Downloaded cover everything from pop punk to nu-metal, from Green Day to Slipknot, and everything in between. Experience the rush of Download Festival without the tent and muddy fields Exchange has a small ramp entrance from the street.”
From: Downloaded - Download Festival Tribute

“Outdoor Emo Festival is coming to Bristol! The greatest tribute night to the music that was never just a phase with a unique summer twist… TEENAGE NOSTALGIA featuring all your biggest emo songs in existence with LIVE BAND & LIVE DJs spinning all the angst your teenage dirtbag heart desires all night long! LIVE Performers, confetti & much more for our first outdoor summer event at Lakota Gardens in Bristol! Put on your eyeliner, lace up your high-tops and book your tickets now! This event is 14+ under 18s must be accompanied by an adult!”
From: Outdoor Emo Festival Comes to Bristol

“Liverpool based, Sisters, embark on their first Uk tour and will be stopping through Bristol playing the best vegan cafe, Cafe Kino. Bringing their alternative grungey folky inspired sound. Supporting we have Manchesters, Blondine, described as Crystal Castles meets Courtney Love. And opening up we have Bristol midwest emo skater, Parkii.”
From: Sisters + Blondine + Parkii