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Reggae Nights in Bristol

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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.

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Our recent reggae & dub recommendations

Bristol’s silver-tongued roots revivalist brings classic Studio One falsetto stylings roaring into 2020s Bristol with hymns to the changing face of city life. One of the greatest modern voices out there FFO: Kiko Bun, Horace Andy, early Dennis Brown, Aleighcia Scott. Joe Yorke at The Jam Jar.

Danish-Ghanaian supergroup Total Hip Replacement & Anyankofo serve The Jam Jar a powerful fusion of reggae, highlife, afrobeat, dub and soul. With a 9-piece lineup, tight horn section and infectious energy, this live show kickstarts their European tour – catch 'em while you can. Total Hip Replacement & Anyankofo at The Jam Jar.

The Silver Waves helmed imprint returns for its second IRL outing with a stacked bill of daring sonic mutations. Strap in for Kop-Z’s uncanny industrial-bass soundscapes, the fabled Avonian return of pop-concrète soothsayer Biped and SDEM’s unearthly crunchy, bleep-laced electronics. Plus local legends Anina and JVP on DJ duties. WEIGHTED MY HAND returns to The Cube Microplex.

Looking for Glastonbury-esque feels at only 1,000 capacity + just a 30 minute drive from Bristol? Welcome to Inglefest. An intimate farmhouse location with a firm musical focus on the South West, including adorable emo-folk-punk trio Toodles & The Hectic Pity, Pocket Sun’s impossibly dreamy synth-pop, beloved Bristol boom-bap from The Scribes + oh so much more. Inglefest’s just bursting at the seams with rnb, punk, jazz and folk loveliness. Inglefest returns to Oxwick Farm from the 15th - 17th August 2025!

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What our editors say

“Fresh from their 2025 tour, Toots and the Maytals feat. Leba Hibbert bring reggae’s true spirit back to the stage. Formed in the 1960s and famed for classics like 54-46 Was My Number, Monkey Man and Pressure Drop, the Maytals remain one of reggae’s most iconic groups. Now led by Toots’ daughter Leba, expect a powerful celebration of timeless hits and living legacy.”
From: Toots and the Maytals ft Leba Hibbert

“Rookie Numbers are a high-octane, 7-piece collective paving the way for a fourth generation of ska - 'ska-rave'. The band keeps the bravado pumping, their antics on stage a clear show of their youthfulness. Their originals are pumped full of energy, with influences from classic two-tone, as well as jungle, dub, and DnB, ensuring that Rookie Numbers will put on a show more intense than a nuclear power plant, something that people won't forget in a hurry.”
From: Rookie Numbers

“In 2007, the German label Groove Attack released their debut album Version Excursions, contributing to their international success. The album has sold over 40,000 copies to date, and is being reissued on vinyl this year, 2023. Made up of covers as varied as they are astonishing, it reaches a very wide audience, well beyond the reggae scene, and is played on numerous radio stations, compilations and playlists, including that of Don Letts. Nicole Willis asked them to remix two of her tracks, My four leaf clover and Feelin Free.”
From: The Dynamics

“The Sabres of Paradise was a London-based electronic music trio formed in 1992, known for their innovative blend of dub, techno, and experimental sounds, as well as their influential remixes. The group comprised Andrew Weatherall, Jagz Kooner, and Gary Burns. They achieved recognition for their debut album, Sabresonic, and the follow-up, Haunted Dancehall, and for their contributions to the UK's electronic music scene.”
From: The Sabres of Paradise + special guests

“Aileen Kelly : Hailing from the West Country, Kelly sound draws from old soul, blues, and jazz—layered with influences of hip hop, neo-soul, reggae, and Latin/bossa nova. topped off with vivid storytelling and an uncompromising authenticity. Having worked as both a top line writer for other artists. Aileen has gone from strength to strength since her ITM tenure and this tour comes right off the back of her own successful jaunt UK-wide.”
From: In The Making Presents TOUR -Headliners ROB.GREEN and Aileen Kelly