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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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! Border-burning avant-rock built from a landslide of ritualistic West African folk onto the flat planes of European industrial grot rock. Avalanche Kaito are a revolution: this is the band the future has demanded, and you must answer the call. Beyond unmissable FFO: Senyawa, black midi, early Gang Gang Dance, Nihiloxica, The Ex. Avalanche Kaito + Support at The Full Moon & Attic Bar.

A Stokes Croft triple-hitter of underground fire! Holy Popes channel post-garage punk into animalistic distortion and visceral noise; Vile Imbeciles gurgle experimental high-guitar hell with rhythmic jank; and Repo Man collapse rock into shards of sax, ping-ponging bass lines and plunking riffs. Relentless FFO: The Fall, The Stooges, The Birthday Party. HOLY POPES + VILE IMBECILES + REPO MAN at Cafe Kino.

An unruly night of noise and invention! Iran Iran’s chonky instrumental girth, Science Bastard’s caustic post-punk bite, Belle Royals’ feral two-piece assault, and an album launch for Mr Sharp Noodle’s noise-pop project Linus Fitness-Centre. Cheap thrills, loud chaos, and maximum distortion FFO: No Age, Empath, Lightning Bolt, ISIS. IRAN IRAN / SCIENCE BASTARD / BELLE ROYALS / LINUS FC at The Golden Lion.

Man The Schizophonics can reeeeeally kick out the jams. Every new generation needs their own injection of the MC5’s riot-igniting garage-soul, and this is ours. Burn the flags, burn the borders, unbolt the doors, this must be the 9th Summer of Love FFO: The Dirtbombs, The Sonics, Nuggets, The White Stripes, Thunderpussy. The Schizophonics, Top Left Club & BOMP at Strange Brew.

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What our editors say

“The East Anglian based four-piece, known for their vivid lyricism and warm midwest emo tinged folk, follow 2023’s debut album The Great Overgrowth, with their most confessional work to date. An emotionally raw but confident collection of songs that have all of the great SUDS hallmarks: hope, charm, and a penchant for storytelling all while reflecting on personal challenges and the resilience of their friendship.”
From: Suds

“They are joined by Atlas Theory, an emotionally charged outfit from Wales who weave together post-hardcore, metalcore and emo. After featuring on BBC Radio One Introducing, as well as the lineups of a number of festivals throughout 2025, Atlas Theory are not one to miss.”
From: Held under. + Smiling Politely + Atlas Theory + falselove

“A full-venue takeover across 3 floors with a special multi-media exhibition in the cellar. The night features Stratford Rise (noise-rock from Belfast), Pushbike (emo power pop), Why Horses? (post-punk/dance-punk), Newbuild (dream pop and noise-infused hyper-rock), and Bristol's sweethearts - The Scuttlers (art-rock).”
From: Stratford Rise

“George Gadd is a Nottingham-based singer-songwriter blending emo-tinged punk with catchy, heartfelt songwriting. Known for his energetic live shows and introspective lyrics, he’s played festivals like 2000trees and Y Not, and toured extensively across the UK, Europe, and the US - both solo and with his band, The Aftermath.”
From: George Gadd

“Formed from members of Bristol's avant-garde underbelly (Bingo Fury, Ex Agent, Big Fuss, GRANDCHILD) at the start of 2023, Sunglasz Vendor sees devout experimentalists turn to embrace the eternal comforts of rock radio hooks, pensive emo, and Kerrang! angst.”
From: BYFORD DOLPHIN INCIDENT WITH BEASTS AND SUNGLAZ VENDOR