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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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! Louisville indie rock three-piece Wombo return to Bristol. Step into their murky, cavernous, post-punk-tinted haze, where cyclical basslines and combative drums shape slow-stalking tonal landscapes for Sydney Chadwick’s turbulent lyrics. Essential FFO: Truth Club, Dummy, Just Mustard, Water From Your Eyes. Wombo at Exchange.

One of the most underrated UK bands of the 90s, Prolapse revisit their signature spikey compound of driving post-punk, janky krautrock, and sweeping shoegaze, existing in a hallowed space somewhere between The Delgados and The Fall. A big deal in our world, and FFO: Life Without Buildings, Arab Strap, Beta Band. PROLAPSE + Shoun Shoun + Charlie Tipper Rebellion at The Golden Lion.

Calling all fuzz-fiends! On Mono returns with a second full-frontal blast of post-punk, shoegaze, and alt chaos. Noir-punk wrecking crew Grandma’s House headline the two-stage Exchange takeover - a wall-to-wall delirium featuring Bureau De Change, DYE, WYR, and more TBA. Buy-on-sight FFO: Witching Waves, Dry Cleaning, Enola Gay, Just Mustard. On Mono at Exchange.

Another year, another audiovisual Halloween spectacular from Cellar Door, with twisted rockabilly punks Honk helming the hoedown – a prime slice of swampy, country-fried Mancunian garage FFO: The Gun Club, Country Teasers, early Jay Reatard etc. Stacked support from new synth-addled psych oddities Ya Hablo, Brighton glam punks Austen Showers and moody indie folkers Dogsbody. HOTFOOT - Geological Dancer at The Louisiana.

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What our editors say

“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 + RELOAD

“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

“Hailing from Illinois, USA, the band take screamo back to its cathartic roots, mixing hardcore, post-hardcore and blackened metal flourishes to sublime effect. Do not miss what stands to be their final trip to the UK, certainly for a long time, if not longer!”
From: Frail Body

“His extensive discography, including emotionally charged works like L’Humanité (a tribute to his late mother), the mellow, left-field mixtape TUMPIT (2025), and collaborative projects such as The Beautiful Malaise (2025) with Psychedelic Ensemble, fuses abstract hip-hop, post-hardcore, indie rock, punk and soul influences, showcasing his genre-defying versatility.”
From: Mark william lewis + Tony Bontana

“A three-piece coming straight out of Andover, Get Mendoza combine the best of indie rock and emo. Comprising of vocalist/guitarist Luke Stone, vocalist/drummer Joe Chapman, and bassist Toby Edds. The band takes heavy inspiration from scenes across the American Midwest, layering soft, harmonious bass lines against heavy, melancholic guitar and strong vocals.”
From: POLYGAZE Halloween Special with The issues