World music has always been a problematic term, somewhere like Bristol is a key example of why. With 16% of the population being from ethnic minority groups and dedicated centres studying the impact of migration on citizenship, there seems little distinction between ‘local music’ and ‘world music’ anymore. Reggae is often classed as ‘world music’ given its Jamaican roots, but it has a strong UK heritage and for someone who is a 2nd or 3rd generation UK citizen with migrant parents, making music that’s classed as ‘world’ when they’ve never lived anywhere else but say, Bristol, seems an offensive categorisation. Its almost a cliche to say we live in a global society, so isn’t all music now world music?
Everyone knows that Bristol is a true melting pot of cultures and it comes as no surprise that the city has a healthy world music scene which manages to avoid the cliche. The on-trend big names in world music like William Onyeabor, Ebo Taylor or the Kuti family usually find themselves at home in Bristol’s Colston Hall. Occasional headliners can also be found at The Fleece and the Trinity Centre. St George’s hosts regular world music events covering more traditional music from Senegal, Mozambique and South Africa, where instruments like the kora and mbira are commonplace.
Locally, Bristol is home to some very talented ‘world music’ musicians. Afrobeat stalwarts like Mankala and No Stop Go (formerly Bristol Afrobeat Project) play smaller venues like The Canteen and The Old Market Assembly but also get the opportunity to support international bands at larger Bristol venues.
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Our recent world recommendations
Infinite love to Saffron Records for championing Marla Kether. From playing bass for Yazmin Lacey and Arlo Parks to finally unleashing this solo project of samba, soukous and downtempo house grooves, this is the culmination of a huge talent. Essential life force FFO: Esperanza Spalding, Moodymann, Sudan Archives, Brownswood Recordings, K.O.G.
Full band live show, merging house grooves with driving basslines, Afrobeat and Congolese Souk. Plus Madly (live) & Jackson Worm (DJ)
Can post-punk be fun? Yes! Black Midi & Opus Kink fans to the front for a ALIEN CHICKS, the new strain of guitar band is here and it's heavy, hectic, rowdy and even... ...joyful?
FREE / PWYC • London, UK / Hideous Mink.
Rap / RnB gig of the year? Yup. Manchester’s smoother than smooth street soul trailblazers Children of Zeus front an eye-popping lineup with Bristol’s owngal Eva Lazarus, East London’s historic King Original Soundsystem (ft. Footsie & Sir Spyro) + Hold Tight Records. No-brainer FFO: NxWorries, D'Angello, Jerome Thomas, Slum Village, Patrick Paige II.
Children of Zeus return to Bristol!
Entrancing call-and-response Haitian spirituals over dizzying polyrhythmical hand drumming and earth-shattering dub bass distortions. An ecstatic, electronic, voodoo ceremony like nothing else. Essential FFO: Nihiloxica, Konono Nº1, Nyege Nyege, Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force, Fulu Miziki.
Haitian six-piece Chouk Bwa meets Belgian production duo, The Ångströmers. Afro-Caribbean voodoo polyrhythms meet bass-weight dub electronic
More Photos of Bristol's World Music Gigs
What our editors say
“The playing of Bristol-based duo Eastern Strings (Daphna Sadeh Neu, double bass, and Knud Stüwe, oud) combines classical precision, world music energy and characterful jazz improvisation. Their instrumental music is distinctive and exquisite, drawing together a tapestry of musical cultures from across the Middle Eastern. The larger ensemble is elevated by commanding accompaniment from master percussionist Chas Whitaker and outstanding violinist Jenny Glester.”
From: The Eastern Strings/Nabra Quintet
“STAGE 3 - DOWNBEAT MELODY SOUNDSYSTEM X LA BOMBA (Ska, funk, lovers rock, soul, cumbia, salsa, ethio jazz & all things lovely) played through a beautiful vintage soundsystem in the sun (hopefully) These guys have taught me so much.”
From: AnExperience Presents ~ A Fairly Feral Fable
“Hailed 'a true original' by The Guardian, Zambian-Scottish Namvula Rennie brings her captivating vocals and undeniable songwriting talent to an adventurous and distinctive world music fusion set that switches from gently soulful balladry to rolling highlife dance pieces and stomping jazz-rock.”
From: Namvula
“Soul stirring Americana and cinematic folk-blues. Hangover Square elegantly combine influences as varied as folk, blues, classical, world music and electronica. Expect, synths, slide guitar, layered voices, orchestral samples and electronically produced beats. In a word…folktronica.”
From: Hangover Square
“Lebo - Whether accompanied by afrobeat rhythms or drum machine patterns, Lebo never fails to centre his songs around the piano-heavy structure of a ballad. His warm, soulful vocals are juxtaposed by distinct melancholic lyricism, and often these chord progressions nod to Classic Latin style harmony. Lebo creates alternative R&B with depth and emotion.”
From: TX Headline Show 2024