Arnolfini
Bristol primary exhibitions space also hosts music events.
Known for its gallery space and exhibitions, it's easy to forget that the Arnolfini also hosts some unique music events (1 or 2 a month). Technically the venue excels with its main auditorium boasting a high spec PA, large stage and quality lighting setup.
Unsurprisingly the Arnolfini's (music) programming bears strong links with Bristol's arts scene. While shows are diverse, alt-indie, folk and electronica bookings are undeniably prevalent. Past guests include Dirty Projectors, Polar Bear, Tunng and Tim Hecker.Considering the popularity of experimental, modern music amongst Bristol's art crowd it's worth nothing that such events are popular and frequently sell out well in advance.
Unsurprisingly the Arnolfini's (music) programming bears strong links with Bristol's arts scene. While shows are diverse, alt-indie, folk and electronica bookings are undeniably prevalent. Past guests include Dirty Projectors, Polar Bear, Tunng and Tim Hecker.Considering the popularity of experimental, modern music amongst Bristol's art crowd it's worth nothing that such events are popular and frequently sell out well in advance.
What's On At Arnolfini
Get a feel for Arnolfini
Our recent recommendations for Arnolfini
Duets for cricket and clarinet? Karen Wimhurst serenades field recordings of amphibians and bugs in this daring act of bio-acoustics, informed by the staccato minimalism of Philip Glass and the disappearing sounds of a world gripped by climate collapse.
Field recordings of insects and amphibians combine with live and multi-tracked clarinets.
Beloved contemporary classical sound collagist Gavin Bryars turns 80 in style with string works interpreted by the acclaimed Phaedra Ensemble. The Arnolfini edition’s a rare performance of A Man In A Room, Gambling - with its surreal fusion of cascading strings, recorded card-trick commentary by Juan Muñoz's and accompanying video from Jamie Hamilton.
New multimedia production of composer Gavin Bryars and sculptor Juan Muñoz's sonic collaboration
"Walk so silently that the bottoms of your feet become ears" so sayeth Pauline Oliveros, zen prophet of electric-acoustic composition and architect of deep listening and sonic awareness as consciousness expanding practice. This deep celebration of her work includes live re-interpretations by Bristol luminaries and a screening of the 2022 feature-length doc by Daniel Weintraub. Essential.
Performance and film celebrating the iconic composer, performer, teacher, philosopher, innovator and humanitarian.
Sell out warning! This is Baldwin as you’ve never seen him before – Words of Colour’s ‘Conversations With Baldwin’ festival comes to an unmissable close with a live cabaret mash-up of performances responding to the seminal 20th century author’s life, work and legacy.
It's the biggie! Poetry, dance and drag combine in this literature cabaret celebrating James Baldwin.
Exceptionally curated festival of boundary-pushing sonics from the South West Asia and North African diaspora including a rare performance of pieces by musique concrète pioneer Halim El-Dabh. Elsewhere FRKTL immerses you with her ethereal generative soundscapes and celebrated composer Hardi Kurda weaves dissonant avant-garde classical from experiences of illegal immigration.
Experimental music from South West Asia and North Africa