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Bristol's R&b Scene

Headfirst brings you the best R&B events in Bristol. Whatever kind of R&B you're into - from cheesy classics to contemporary tearjerkers - Bristol has everything you need. Many of the biggest R&B acts regularly tour the city, if you're looking for a live gig. Key venues like Colston Hall, Trinity Centre and the O2 Academy host concerts from larger international acts.

Or if you're a less discerning R&B head, clubs like Popworld and Bunker and nights like Bump N Grind at Thekla cater to locals and students who just want to hear the hits (think Destiny's Child, Blu Cantrell, Sisqo and all the classics). These places are heaving all week round so you need never go without your R&B fix (or listen alone in your room).

Bristol is a great city for all music so it's no surprise your R&B tasts will be well catered for.

Buy tickets for r&b events in Bristol

What our editors say

“Blood Dealer is a Brummie alternative trio known for fusing R&B vocal runs, ferocious screams, and heavy guitar riffs, creating a unique sound in the modern heavy music scene. They combine intricate grooves with unrelenting breakdowns. Their latest single, "Jealousy," released in March 2025, is part of their upcoming EP "Designer Antichrist," scheduled for release in May 2025. The single explores themes of self-comparison and envy and represents a new sonic phase for the band.”
From: Blood Dealer

“Maxime Elliot is a French singer-songwriter based in Bristol. Born in Lyon and shaped by a love of soul, R&B, and French pop, he blends these influences into a distinctive pop-soul sound. His debut EP, Purple Groove (2022), earned support from BBC Introducing. Inspired by Leon Bridges, Olivia Dean, and Christine & The Queens, Maxime crafts warm, soulful music with a modern edge.”
From: Soul In The City

“Known for smash hits like ‘Caribbean Queen‘, ‘When the Going Gets Tough’, and ‘Get Outta My Dreams’ Billy Ocean earned a Grammy for Best Male R&B Performance in the 80s. After some years out of the spotlight, his reputation flourished again in the 21st century with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the MOBOs, a return to the upper reaches of the charts and an MBE.”
From: Billy Ocean

“A rising star, British Jamaican Chloë Rose Laing's unique influences, past and present, shape her vibrant sound: from the majestic traditional folk of Morocco and North Africa and 'heartical' roots reggae, to atmospheric, late-night R&B and aching, smooth/tough neo-soul.”
From: CHLOË ROSE LAING

“Long overdue return for this talented Lithuanian vocalist with a repertoire spanning jazz, soul and R&B. Notable performances include her captivating rendition at Lithuania's REM Vilnius 2018 opening ceremony and her appearance at the prestigious Kaunas Jazz Festival in April of the same year. She recently performed at London’s legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. Tonight she’ll be singing original songs from her debut EP, as well as selected standards, with sterling accompaniment from guitarist Luca Powell.”
From: KAROLINA GRIŠKUTÈ