What's On / Bristol Gigs / reggae & dub

Reggae Nights in Bristol

upcoming gig

Bristol's Reggae & Dub Scene

Is Bristol the capital of reggae & dub in the UK?

With the return of the community led St Paul’s carnival (getting national coverage in the Guardian), Bristol has always had claim to be the capital of the Jamaican diaspora sound. Reggae and dub can be heard on the streets of St Paul’s and Stokes Croft, on the airwaves of Ujima and at venues like Cosies and community-centred nights at Kuumba Centre and the Malcolm X centre. While smoking bans and rapid gentrification have murdered the nightlife of London, Bristol has it’s own problems that are impacting the reggae and dub communities. The recent sale of the Rastafari Cultural centre poses a threat to the beating heart of this vibrant scene in Bristol.

While it's still possible to see reggae legends like Lee Perry and Horace Andy at Bristol's large venues (ie Colston Hall and the o2 Academy), live reggae in Bristol is fewer and farther between. Dub and 'soundsystem culture' on the other hand, are literally huge. For the big dub and roots soundclashes, keep an eye on whats on at the Trinity Centre in Bristol, most notably Unity in Dub who's guest soundsystems have included Irration Steppas and the mighty King Earthquake.

On a much smaller scale look at Cosies listings for their weekly roots and reggae night and check whats on at the Attic (attached to the Full Moon on Stokes Croft). Pure ragga, bashment or dancehall events in Bristol are pretty rare, instead a reggae room is a pretty common fixture at big nights at venues like Lakota.

The rapid growth of dubstep in Bristol has brought with it a rekindled interest in modern dub (aka digi-dub aka future dub) and has led to some unlikely dub bookings like Mad Professor at Shit the Bed in the Motion listings.

Buy tickets for reggae & dub events in Bristol

Our recent reggae & dub recommendations

Live roots reggae and dancehall prowess from Da Fuchaman, gracing the Jam Jar with his 9-piece band and summoning the prime-time ragga rasp of Buju Banton and the conscious fire of Burning Spear. An electrifying, rootical vision in the flesh FFO: Capleton, Jah Cure, Kabaka Pyramid, Alborosie. Internationally renowned Reggae singer & MC, making waves in the UK with his powerful 10 piece band.

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. Bristol-based producer and vocalist

The indomitable Chai Wallahs score an end-of-season special full of the usual unusual turntablist melting pot antics. With K.O.G’s electrifying afrobeat, hiphop and high-life grooves, alongside revolving door collective CONN3CT’s neo-soul / afro-jazz meltdown and Jamu’s live rap pass-the-mic spectacular. Golden era diggers and festival freaks: this is your New Year’s ticket. KOG, Jamu Ft. All Star Crew, Conn3ct Ft. Aziza Jaye, Amy True & MĀDŁY, DJ Hiphoppapotamus & Selecta Si Chai

Sell out warning! RIP Weatherall, long live The Sabres. The impossibly influential 90s dance unit rides into battle once again peddling their patented haunted dancehall, sampledelic breaks and psychedelic techno squelch to readily Warp’d minds. A historical happening for even the most casual electronica humans, unmissable FFO: Screamadelica, The Orb, Nightmares on Wax, Massive Attack, Autechre, FSOL. The Sabres of Paradise is the short-lived but unforgettable band formed by Jagz Kooner, Gary Burns and the late Andrew Weatherall in the early 90s. Now, three decades since their formation, Kooner and Burns return to pay homage to their own legacy and especially to their friend Weatherall, who passed away in 2020.

More Photos of Reggae Nights in Bristol

What our editors say

“OMEGA NEBULA is an electronic future dub duo from the UK. They return this Autumn with an explosive live/electronic show that transcends the boundaries of traditional dub and reggae. Join them in the dance for your next dose of musical healing. Special guests to be announced.”
From: OMEGA NEBULA

“Singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer King Zepha presents an all-star band with wailing horns, thunderous double bass, global rhythms, dub delays and stunning 3-part vocal harmonies. Their original music draws influence from rhythm n blues, jazz, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub and soul and has been described by Craig Charles (BBC 6 Music) as "breathtaking" and "my favourite album" by the legendary reggae producer Dennis Bovell (Soho Radio).”
From: King Zepha

“JOY. & Strange Brew presents JK FLESH + SPECIAL GUESTS From the industrial heartland of Birmingham, England, JK Flesh, the alter ego of Justin Broadrick, has been crafting his unique blend of heavy electronica and techno for years. Best known for his work in the bands Godflesh and Jesu, Broadrick's JK Flesh project spans back to his work in the 1990s with Kevin Martin (aka the Bug) in Techno Animal. He first released a solo studio album as JK Flesh in 2012. This solo work takes its cues from a diverse range of influences, including industrial music, dub, power electronics, and ‘other extreme musics,’ resulting in a sound that is as complex as it is compelling.”
From: JK Flesh + special guests

“Join Bristol Reggae Orchestra for an uplifting evening of music and spoken word. A celebration of the joy and richness that Jamaican Culture has brought to our identity. We also look at the difficulties faced by these pioneers on their arrival in a new land. Featuring a pre-show set at 6.45pm from the Windrush Reggae Choir in the St George’s cafe bar, this will be a heartfelt celebration of community, resilience and joy through music, featuring both well-known reggae songs and original compositions.”
From: Bristol Reggae Orchestra

“Drawing on 1960s–70s funk, reggae, library music, psychedelic rock and global influences, Skinshape creates warm, atmospheric grooves shaped by a deep love of vintage recording and timeless songwriting.”
From: Skinshape