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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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! Attitude Fest gives you a frantic 9 hours to shovel three chord nutrients deep inside your ears. For starters: gobby Glaswegian turbo punx Soapbox, local queercore doom-grunge darlings GorZ, Belfast’s mad promising riot grrrl garage outfit Jock + all your new fav bands you haven’t heard of yet…. Attitude Festival 2025 at Exchange.

Sell out warning! Unapologetic acerbic noise-punk to make the post-punk poser boys squirm. M(H)AOL pairs wry intersectional feminist lyricism with distorted guitars, angular basslines, jagged drums and looming vocals to pack a potent, cathartic punch. Unfuckwithable FFO: Gilla Band, Petrol Girls, The Menstrual Cramps, Dry Cleaning. MAOL at The Louisiana.

Sell out warning! Humid art-pop stuffed with lipstick-on-the-mic swagger and velvet hooks from Bristol’s dive-bar prophetess Emily Breeze - one of the city's finest underground songwriters. Totally unmissable FFO: Mitski, Angel Olsen, Wolf Alice, Pulp, Patti Smith. Emily Breeze Album Launch with support from Masca at Strange Brew.

Big, brash femme/nb-powered mini-fest from our beloved Punka; spewing forth two stages of alternative antics with Lilith Ai’s anti-folk bubblegrunge, blunt as fuck feminist anthems from the Menstruarl Cramps, witchy alt-metallers Hawxx, Orla Bligh’s tender torchsongs + much much more. LOUD WOMEN FEST BRISTOL at Exchange.

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What our editors say

“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

“New Jersey emo revival quartet 'Ogbert the Nerd' come to the UK for the first time this year, bringing with them their chaotic and energetic brand of emo to Exchange!”
From: Ogbert the Nerd

“This year, they return with their sophomore EP. “WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE INTERNET” is a surreal window into online relationships and features the band’s signature absurdist lyrics and acrobatic guitar playing. From a meditation on failed stardom, to a protagonist in love with Microsoft PowerPoint, to a doomscrolling monologue set to a midwest emo instrumental, these 5 tracks will have you wondering just how funny the internet actually is. They take to UK and EU stages this October for ANYTHING IS A TOUR IF YOU TRY HARD ENOUGH, playing the EP in its entirety as well as older fan favourites.”
From: Big Trousers

“...are a three-piece from Wales playing sharp, loud, no-nonsense alt rock. They describe themselves as a “not quite midwest emo trio,” blending big riffs, tight hooks, and just the right amount of emotional damage. Despite being a newer band, they play like they have been at it for years. Raw, honest, and impossible to ignore.”
From: Saskia + My Mate Dennis + Eira

“Formed in summer 2023, GURP is a bristol-based folk-grunge band bringing a fresh, chaotic charm to the city's music scene. GURP started as two families jamming together on blissful sunday evenings. out of that joyful chaos grew a full-bodied sound that fuses darkly comic lyrics with high energy folk. drawing on influences from klezmer to grunge and jazz to pop punk, GURP blends clarinet, accordian, violin, guitar and drums to create something both raucous and yearning. GURP (Andy,Emily,Joe,Michael and Ramona) don't take themselves too seriously - but their sound is seriously infectious”
From: GURP // SUPORTS TBC