What's On / Bristol Gigs / reggae & dub

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.

Buy tickets for reggae & dub events in Bristol

Our recent reggae & dub recommendations

Kelela-esque R&B sensuality, soulful synth-pop, off-kilter electronica and reggae bounce gracefully meld together under Sirens of Lesbos’ shimmering creative touch. The sister-duo led Swiss group - who count Bootsy Collins, dreamcastmoe and Erick the Architect as collaborators - bring their radiant indie-pop to The Jam Jar. Essential FFO: Steve Lacy, Mk.gee, Childish Gambino. Sirens Of Lesbos + Guests at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! Next level hip-hop urbano Cubano from the electrifying singer/flautist La Dame Blanche. A properly infectious mix of dancehall, hiphop, Latinx musical heritage and femme-powering lyrical twists engineered to make you bounce’n’slither. Imagine Koffee running a club-sized bolero class with a cigar in her mouth and you’re getting warm…. La Dame Blanche + Fedzilla at The Jam Jar.

WARNING extreme trip music from the definitive freak-out group of the 21st century. Beyond-experimental psych, wildly improvised with extended atonal journeys through walls of noise. Unhinged music for unhinged fans of: Gong, Amon Düül, Stockhausen, Gnod, Bitches Brew, Comets on Fire, Frank Zappa. Acid Mothers Temple + Bubblegum Hypnosis at Moor Beer Co.

Glitched-out hip-hop, radiant West Coast rap and blissed-out beats. 395 hosts a PWYC spotlight on the freshest up-and-coming Bristol-based rap talent featuring Tii’s jazz-fuelled cloud rap and the OGB crew’s experimental, soulful swag. Big FFO: Loyle Carner, ThisisDA, Joe James, Bawo, BXKS. SERIES x BLOOM present: “Bless Me Later” By OvenGloveBoys – Alt-Rap for Palestine

What our editors say

“There’s no easy way to encapsulate GAUDI’s vast body of work, for the past three decades he has been shattering genre barriers, pioneering world-music, electronic-dub and reggae music, amassing a stunning collection of originals, albums, collaborations and remixes with artists such as: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Bob Marley, Simple Minds, Lamb, Trilok Gurtu, Shpongle, Apache Indian, Soom T, Michael Rose, Deep Forest, Beats Antique, Sizzla, Michael Stipe & Asha Bhosle, Michael Franti, Dub Pistols, Grandmaster Flash, & Krs One, The Beat, Barrington Levy, Horace Andy, The Orb & Lee Scratch Perry, Afrika Bambaataa to mention a few.”
From: AFRICAN HEAD CHARGE PLUS GUESTS

“Natalie Bergman is an American singer-songwriter. She is one half of the duo Wild Belle, along with her brother Elliot Bergman. Her debut solo album, Mercy, was released on Third Man Records on May 7, 2021 - infused by rich pop music taking influence from reggae, afrobeats and soul.⁠”
From: Natalie Bergman + special guests

“Inglefest is a grassroots, independent music festival that brings together the vibrant and diverse spirit of the South West's original music scene for three days of live music and celebration. With three clash-free stages and an eclectic lineup, there’s something for everyone to enjoy - from reggae and funk to rock, rap and folk and everything in between, as well as workshops and activities across the weekend.”
From: 15th - 17th August

“Say what?! The Jam Jar are extremely honoured to welcome one of the most iconic Jamaican reggae artists of the last few decades to the stage.”
From: Tanya Stephens

“over 15 live acts across two stages, Headline TBC also support acts from Tribute bands to local upcoming talent, House/DnB/reggae/UKG DJs. Food and Craft Villages, Large funfair, several bars, newly installed Miniature Steam Railway, children's entertainment.”
From: Severnfest 25