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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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.
Buy tickets for punk events in Bristol
Our recent punk recommendations
Transportive post-punk/indie rock power trio Adwaith hit Exchange with sinewy, shimmering, reverb-drenched singalong anthems to belt out in your best Cymraeg. Catch em while you can in a venue this size! Big-time no brainer FFO: Warpaint, Belly, Katy J Pearson, Girl Ray, Prima Queen, Pip Blom.
Alpaca Presents | Adwaith + John MOuse at Exchange.
Sonic bliss meets sartorial genius with the second Strange Brew coming of Vogue tipped up’n’comer Sophie Spratley aka rabbit, featuring a fairycore fashion show followed by a stacked five band bill. Elanor Moss’ heartrending indie rock and unsetting alt-electronic duo Orbury Common are big highlights. More catwalk + gig combos please Bristol!
Rabbit party no.2 - AW24 show at Strange Brew.
Sell out warning! Activist, comedian and radical troubadour Grace Petrie brings her unique brand of fist-in-the-air protest folk to the Trinity; examining social and political issues of austerity-ravaged modern Britain with Bragg-approved anthems of solidarity and solace. Big FFO: Frank Turner, Laura Jane Grace, Kirsty MacColl, Onsind, Mischief Brew.
Grace Petrie + Gabi Garbutt + Molly Naylor at The Trinity Centre.
Triple-hitter of West Country DIY scene talent for less than the cost of a pint, headed up by the charming prehistory ballads of dino-concept emo pop sweeties Nervous Rex. On support: anarchic fuzz-punk duo Peacelily and high-octane queercore scrappers Ladyshoulders. Big fun FFO: The Menstrual Cramps, Spook School, Martha, Pink Suits, Gender Chores.
Nervous Rex + Peacelily + Lady Shoulders at The Thunderbolt.
More Photos of Punk Gigs in Bristol
What our editors say
“The recording project of Chicago-based songwriter Evan Weiss, Into It. Over It. finds the prolific emo-pop veteran of numerous bands (Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Start, Labour, Map the Growth, the Funeral Bird, Hiroshima Mon'Amour, and Sleeper Agents, to name a few) striking out on his own. In Into It. Over It., Weiss blends well-crafted pop with a literate, introspective lyrical stance and vocals that acknowledge angst without surrendering to it. Weiss launched Into It. Over It. with 2009's 52 Weeks, and he hit his stride as a composer and arranger with 2013's Intersections and 2016's Standards.”
From: INTO IT. OVER IT
“Think pop-rock with emo edges, reminiscent of Paramore circa 2013 and present-day hypnotic Billie Eillish hooks, packed with scathing drumbeats and simmering guitar riffs that ascend and circle back on themselves, hell-bent yet triumphant.”
From: Bxrrell
“The 2020 self-titled, released with Moment of Collapse, draws influence from emo, to math rock, to hardcore punk, and even black metal. A cascade of brass-fuelled euphoria arcs across the velvet night as infinite waves of guitar delay lap at a shore both familiar and foreign; explorative, optimistic and triumphant.”
From: A Burial at Sea
“Melancholy with a smile on its face. What Have You Done, We're Sinking combine the signiture emo sound of 2000's kerrang staples with tongue in cheek bordering on devastating lyrical content of the emo revival. Carthasis comes naturally but healing does not, WHYD,WS does their best to combine the two with a candid and passionate approach.”
From: HELL-IOS plus Special Guests
“The most Bristolian Mexican, a musical storyteller, weaving tales of anxiety and rebellion into a tapestry of infectious melody. Usually found in a mosh pit he now takes to the stage to sing folk pop punk songs to make sure everyone has a drink and a good time.”
From: IMPRINTS album launch - 'From the Dark'