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blamed for anarchists attacks in Bristol, but this is a media portrayal of the punk scene that is now almost 40 years out of date.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! Seize your chance to see Falmouth’s finest Lost Map-approved carnivalesque psych-folk collective. Blind Yeo are gonna carry the Jam Jar to new cosmic heights with wonky, motorik-tinged pastoralism (and a goblin outfit or three) – this one’s set to ignite fans of: Tunng, The Beta Band, Melin Melyn, Gong. Blind Yeo + Baby Deltic at The Jam Jar.

Globally adored for dialling up the kosmische with 21st century fusion GOATs The Comet Is Coming, Danalogue steps out to the fore in this dazzling analogue synth journey through all known galaxies. Timelessly distilling everything from 60s Moog stargazing to 80s acid house to 00s chillwave, this is the birth of a brave new world FFO: Wally Badarou, Lone, Legowelt, Space Dimension Controller. Danalogue AV Show at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! "I AM THE BLACK JAMES DEAN!!!!" Falle Nioke shouts over Peter Hook-style post-punk bounce, in a truly insane cocktail of driving 80s motorik and warped afro-futurist disco vision. Pigeon are seriously hot, Soundway says so, and this is one outernational space station your ass really needs to dock at. The crest of a big big wave FFO: William Onyeabor, Talking Heads, Joshua Idehen, ESG. PIGEON at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! Early bets on the beatdown of the year, 2:1 on Sunami to pummel all contenders with their no-it’s-not-a-joke-anymore bada$$ bully crossover hxc. You’ve seen the news, so expect a bleeding lip or two (and don’t wear that fresh white tee). Fans of Terror, First Blood God’s Hate etc – you know the drill! Sunami at Shredenhams.

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What our editors say

“Emerging from the heart of Leeds’ flourishing alternative scene, Love Rarely have rapidly carved out a reputation as one of the UK’s most emotionally fearless math-rock outfits. Since forming in 2023, the five-piece have been redefining what vulnerability can sound like within heavy music; weaving angular, technically demanding melodies with an unflinching lyrical openness that refuses to shy away from life’s darker corners. A volatile hybrid of math rock, emo, and hardcore, they balance intricate, off-kilter guitar work with cathartic explosiveness, creating sonic terrain that feels deeply human.”
From: Love Rarely

“After forming, the band quickly gained traction with their demo Can't Hardly Wait and their 2006 EP We Are Everywhere released by Run for Cover Records. This early success and heavy touring led to a signing with Triple Crown Records, where they released their debut full-length album, All I Have to Offer You Is My Own Confusion (2009). The album was produced by Chad Gilbert of New Found Glory, cementing the band's place in the mid-2000s and 2010s emo-revival and pop-punk scenes.”
From: Fireworks play 'Gospel' + special guests

“Hit Like a Girl is the songwriting project of Nicolle Maroulis (they/them). Drawing influence from emo, indie, pop, and even hardcore, the Philadelphia based band channels yearning, love and loss into intimate yet catchy music.”
From: Hit Like A Girl

“Montreal-based post-hardcore trio, SPITE HOUSE, blend emotionally charged songwriting with the urgency and melody of 90’s post-hardcore and emo. Spite House has toured alongside acts including Single Mothers, The Dirty Nil, Fiddlehead, Angel Du$t, Glitterer, Militarie Gun, Scowl and Slow Crush, plus appeared at festivals incl. Outbreak (UK) and Ieperfest (BE). ”
From: Spite House

“Amateur Panda is the brainchild of former Static Signals frontwoman Emma Ffion Davies, and is a blend of post-grunge, post-hardcore, and prog influences (think Foo Fighters meets Fightstar, with some Porcupine Tree thrown in for good measure). Currently in its early acoustic phase of existence, it features Emma on acoustic guitar + lead vocals with Billie Bacon (of Disconap) joining recently on bass - we have plans to flesh out the band as an all-transfemme outfit in the coming year, so watch this space!”
From: Big Hammer