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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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! It’s gonna get slippery and sweaty up in The Croft as queer bass rabble-rouser and pastel de nata connoisseur Grove brings power and NRG for this intimate headline show. Sensual mutant dykehall, radical resistance anthems and industrial-jazz-punk moshing awaits. Grove at The Croft.

Sell out warning! Just play the hits! Neglected self-sabotaging art-punk anti-heroes return to their ‘77 roots with an unbeatable repertoire of vitriolic Peel-approved classics. This might be your last chance to see them behave, with spirited renditions of How Much Longer?, Action Time Vision, and none of that jazz stuff! Essential historical fix FFO: Wire, X-Ray Spex, The Adverts, The Fall. Alternative TV. 1977-81 'Punk Bonanza' Set at The Croft.

Sell out warning! A veritable supergroup of DIY royalty from Tigercats, Martha, Onsind + more, Fortitude Valley CAN and WILL take a frosty mid-January Exchange and turn it into a sun-kissed chamber of deliriously catchy, shimmering indie-pop-punk. Big-time winter blues buster if you love: The Beths, Alvvays, The Lucksmiths, Dressy Bessy, Diet Cig. Fortitude Valley at Exchange.

Long live BASE! There’s something for everyone at this stacked PWYC party to celebrate 30 years of the radical community space. Balkan tek meets squat punk, folk-rap, steppers, dub, 160 latincore, jungle, dnb, a one-man klezmer show and much more…take your pick! 30 Years of BASE at The Pickle Factory.

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What our editors say

“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

“After a successful first tour of the UK in 2022, the beloved Ohio based indie-emo quartet Remember Sports return in support of their new album The Refrigerator, their first album release since Like A Stone in 2021.”
From: Remember Sports

“The East Anglian based four-piece, known for their vivid lyricism and warm midwest emo tinged folk, follow 2023’s debut album The Great Overgrowth, with their most confessional work to date. An emotionally raw but confident collection of songs that have all of the great SUDS hallmarks: hope, charm, and a penchant for storytelling all while reflecting on personal challenges and the resilience of their friendship.”
From: Suds

“Morales are a new Bristol based 5-piece indie rock band that formed in 2024 and takes inspiration from punk, grunge, indie and emo genres to create music that blends heavy riffs and intimate melodies with a strong, energetic stage presence. Currently, the band are working on their debut album called Statues which they plan to release in 2026”
From: Land Captains + SYPHA + Support

“My Chemical Hoemance take the emo anthems you sobbed to in 2006 and crank them up with glitter, grit and a whole lot of sweat. This isn’t just a tribute - it’s a sleazy, mascara-streaked love letter to the greatest band in the world, with a high-energy live show that’s as dramatic as a teenage breakdown.”
From: My Chemical Hoemance