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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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! Your annual booster of sonic ritualism and spiritual liberation from psychedelic funk, hip-hop and Afro-punk luminaries BCUC. The Soweto seven-piece returns to Bristol on rapturous waves of adoration with a two date show due to ever-popular demand - don’t sleep on it. BCUC at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! Pennsylvania’s Apes of the State worship the flickering flame of four-chord Americana at Loco Klub, spinning lyrical DIY folk punk tales of millennial malaise, temp jobs, and idle afternoons haunted by cosmic worries. Unmissable voice of a generation FFO: The Mountain Goats, Emperor X, Jeff Rosenstock, The Unicorns. Apes of the State at Loco Klub.

A mandatory album launch voyage on the Shoun Shoun ship of dark no-wave dread, Siouxsie-summoning battle cries and gothic cabaret. Tremulous guitars, funereal bass, and operatic vocals drag you through shadowed waters to a world of theatrical ruin – totally majestic FFO: Savages, Kim Gordon, Theoretical Girls, Suicide. Shoun Shoun at The Louisiana.

Sell out warning! Our treasured desert-grunge punks PEACH launch their blistering sophomore record on home turf supported by the angular post-hardcore brilliance of Milo’s Planes. Powered by searing guitars and Ellie Godwin’s fearless, theatrical wails about sex and subjugation, they’re an uncompromising monstrosity FFO: Sleater-Kinney, PJ Harvey, QOTSA, Amyl and the Sniffers. PEACH + MILO'S PLANES + MP3 CHAINSAW at Strange Brew.

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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

“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

“Get ready for some screamo @ Cafe Kino. London's miserable emo screamo punks INCASEYOULEAVE are coming down to Bristol, bringing twinkly guitars and panicked screaming. A regular headliner in London's screamo & post-hardcore scene, incaseyouleave have been on a meteoric trajectory following the release of their debut album 'Dedications to a Devoted Past'. Catch one of the hottest names in UK screamo in a 70 cap room.”
From: Incaseyouleave, Mountain Peaks & Gilded Cage

“Vienna “One of the leading charges in the UK Midwest emo scene” Vienna combine the raw energy of punk & hardcore influences with the classic themes and tone of Midwest emo. The West Midlands based 4 piece spent their first 3 years putting their hometown Birmingham on the map within their emo community. Playing sold out headline shows, packed house shows and supporting touring acts such as Michael Cera Palin, Passion Mango, Ogbert The Nerd and Tiger Lily. Vienna have quickly become a respected name across the wider UK DIY emo scene, gaining respect from bands all across the country.”
From: CHASING DOLLS X VIENNA UK TOUR OPENING CEREMONY

“never easy return to the UK & head into Europe for their first headline tour around their second album, 'I Still Care’. Bringing their biggest live show yet, they have spent the last year on the road making a name for themselves; high-energy sets which blend 2000s emo-inspired guitars, a combination of etheric & aggressive vocals, and hard-hitting drums. The Montreal band turns every show into a loud, cathartic release. This run sees them in their biggest rooms so far, with a production that pushes their raw dynamics & every cathartic moment up to a whole new level”
From: NEVER EASY