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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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

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! Grubbing, Patsy Delve, Group Sounds at Exchange.

Sell out warning! The Cure and Drab Majesty devotees take note! Sacramento’s Creux Lies are your new fave fix of darkwave dancefloor romanticism and brooding post-punk melancholia. They’re signed to Cleopatra Recs and joined by local electro goths Strange Futures (as if you really needed any more convincing…) Creux Lies + Strange Futures + The New Dark Age at Zed Alley.

A biiiig Shitty Futures four-band tasting platter, headed up by Finnish power-pop-punk marvels Tiikeri. Their timeless sweet-n-snotty Ramonescore hits hard alongside needs-no-introduction garage wunderkind crew Bruno & The Outrageous Methods of Presentation, Cydernide’s scrumpy-soaked breakneck hardcore and Scarebears’ aggy post-punk. Tiikeri / Bruno BOMP / Cydernide / Scarebears at Exchange.

Unapologetically 90s inspired Melbourne two-piece Mannequin Death Squad meld grunge, metal, skater punk and riot grrrl into a blistering elixir of high-energy, heavy riffing thrash pop. Alt anthems perfected FFO: Paramore, Delilah Bon, Royal Blood, Veruca Salt, Chelsea Manor. Mannequin Death Squad at Exchange.

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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