The Jam Jar
Volunteer-led venue and live music haunt.
Known for its long open-ended jam sessions, this unique space in (you guessed) an old Jam factory on the edge of Old Market has been a well kept secret for live music fans in Bristol. Gigs are often free entry with the free-wheeling vibes of 70s loft parties but the versatile space also hosts exhibitions from local artists.
What's On At The Jam Jar
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+
talks
workshops & classes
life drawing
exhibition
— The Jam Jar
grime
minimal techno
electro
breakbeat
dancehall
— The Jam Jar
lgbtq+
talks
workshops & classes
life drawing
exhibition
— The Jam Jar
dancehall
reggaeton
afrobeats
cumbia
world
— The Jam Jar
dub
reggae
ska
punk
ska punk
— The Jam Jar
dancehall
dub
reggae
roots reggae
jamaican-ska
— The Jam Jar
dancehall
uk funky
reggaeton
afrobeat
world
— The Jam Jar
rock-and-roll
disco
tropical
afrobeat
world
— The Jam Jar
indie rock
garage rock
singer-songwriter
jazz
soul
— The Jam Jar
house
bassline
electro
folk
hip hop
— The Jam Jar
contemporary jazz
afrobeat
post-punk
art rock
folk
Get a feel for The Jam Jar
Our recent recommendations for The Jam Jar
The most vital act to survive the 90s acid-jazz / trip-hop boom - Red Snapper’s electronic playfulness, instrumental virtuosity and disregard for genre boundaries blazed a path for the current Bristol jazz crossover scene (Snazzback, Waldo’s Gift etc.)
Red Snapper + Support at The Jam Jar.
Freewheeling cultureclash orchestra traversing free jazz, post-punk highlife and minimalist classical with transcendental results. Think Sonic Youth + Glen Branca’s downtown NY guitar ensemble covering Fela Kuti and you’re not even close (maybe Sons of Kemet raiding the Philip Glass’ songbook is closer…but you’ll have to see for yourself).
Orchestre Tout Puissant Marcel Duchamp at The Jam Jar.
Sell out warning! 4am bliss-out sonic lover letters to latinx riddims and environmental sounds stewed in the dub / electronica melting pot. It can only be El Búho.....
The Jam Jar Presents: El Búho at The Jam Jar.
The legacy of Tanzania’s Real World Records giant Hukwe Zawose continues in electrifying fashion with Zawose Queens. His daughter and granddaughter meld rapturous dual vocals, lilting thumb piano, clattering ngoma drums and hypnotic chizeze fiddle with gurgling synths and thuds of global bass. It’s a joyous and exuberant discovery FFO: Remmy Ongala, Tarika, Stella Chiweshe, Onipa.
Zawose Queens at The Jam Jar.
Sell out warning! Join the upful 30 year revelries for the OG squat ska punks that refuse to lie down. Must-attend if you like your punk with lashings of upbeat dub guitars, folk singalongs and flag-burning lyricism. Huge FFO: The Slits, Citizen Fish, pre-footie anthem Chumbawumba, The Clash in dub, Capdown, Operation Ivy.
30 Years of Inner Terrestrials - New Date Added at The Jam Jar.