Bristol Dubstep

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Bristol's Dubstep Scene

You can’t spell Dubstep without Bristol

While the first word in Dubstep’s history might be DMZ, the second is surely Bristol. London is the birthplace but the Bristol dubstep sound must be its most iconic regional variant. Bristol acts like Pinch and Vex’d were instrumental in the early days as well as RSD // Rob Smith from Smith & Mighty who straddle Bristol’s trip-hop lineage and its dubstep future. Although this is cruelly left out of the Wiki page on dubstep - Bristol continued to play a huge part, defining an iconic sound sometimes known as ‘purple wow’ or wonky that included Joker, Gemmy, Jakes, Guido and Julio Bashmore through nights like Subloaded. While many of these artists are making house or other club music, their place in Bristol dubstep (and electronic music) history is secured.

What we said in 2015...
Presently dubstep in Bristol enjoys such stellar success that the only thorn in the genre's side is it's quantity. With such a saturated market it only becomes harder to find genuine talent amongst the endless bandwagon of tag alongs. Fortunately for Bristol, the boundaries are being pushed rather than retrodden and Bristol's own dubstep has gained international recognition.

Local talent has been the springboard for Bristol to become second only to London in the depth and range of the offerings of the sound. Joker, Gemmy, Pinch, RSD, Peverelist, Hyetal, Appleblim and Guido are but a few of Bristol's most prevalent exports, while arguably the city's most successful dubstep nights (Dubloaded and Applepips) are products of Bristol's own talent (Pinch and Appleblim) respectively.

The accessibility of dubstep's sound has seen it eclipse drum and bass in its hold over nightclubs and dubstep luminaries such as Skream, Benga and Plastician are regulars in the Bristol. Like drum and bass, the big acts are found at the huge, multi genre raves in Lakota and Motion (aka In:motion) while Bristol houses a mix of dedicated dubstep nights that operate in the mid-sized venues such as Thekla, Dojos, Basement 45 and The Croft.

Promoters such as Crazylegs have sought to expose the UK Funky side of dubstep, bringing artists like Joy Orbison, Deadboy and Roska to the masses. Subloaded at The Croft is another reliable source for forward-thinking dubstep.

Buy tickets for dubstep events in Bristol

Our recent dubstep recommendations

Sell out warning! The Dark Ages have returned to up the stakes of club revelry with fortune tellers, knife-juggling and jousting in an immersive pageant of medieval proportions. Expect Greensleeves trance edits and folkstep galore across 2 rooms for maximised merth. Bring your clown shoes and dress to jig. You've been invited to party at the King's castle, Medieval style.

Huuge b2b2b incoming as three UK club heavyweights (Breaka, Dubrunner and Yushh) join forces for all the wiggy ‘n dubby techno, garage, dubstep and bass you could dream of, and then some. Essential one for the heads. Breaka, Dubrunner and Yushh combine for a b2b2b to sweep you off your feet - techno, UKG, electro, dubstep, bass mutations

Back-to-basic founders session occurring from the Livity Sound fold! Leaning into the Bristol platinum pedigree of Peverlist and Hodge for a bass-heavy future-everything romp across broken techno, hard-drum, UKF, amapiano + genres yet to be named. UK dance music flavours, House, Techno, Dubstep, UKG & bass mutations from two legends if the Bristol scene

Sell out warning! Crotch paints all corners of Trinity with queer party perfection like the 2025 fairy godpeople of good taste. With hi-NRG club niceness/nastiness from K-rush and Bendy Wendy + more keeping you moving alongside the dragged-up dancers from Bristol Ballroom and Cute Cartel. Chill out area, welfare team and Caribbean food on tap - you’ll never want to leave…. A diverse night for those who dare to challenge the norm and embrace the extraordinary

What our editors say

“Join us for a night dedicated to the sounds of drum & bass and UK garage, bringing together two iconic scenes under one roof. Be prepared for extensive mix of genres including jungle, 140 and bassline.”
From: Prima Soundscapes

“Their encyclopedic knowledge of dubstep history informs an excitable hunger for the newest and most forward-thinking sounds and rhythms. Amaia’s sets are endlessly creative cauldrons of bass music and experimental ideas.”
From: WORMHOLE

“Welcome to AETHER’s debut night. AETHER are a brand-new collective in Bristol set up by AERIAL pushing stripped-back, deep and heavy sounds across electronic music. With a roster of DJs hailing from across the DnB, jungle, and dubstep scenes, expect a night of weighty basslines, tight percussion, hypnotic grooves and raw, underground energy.”
From: AETHER: Debut Night

“Join us as we celebrate 20 years of Tectonic Sound in true heavyweight style at Clock Factory Bristol on Saturday 10th May! Powered by the mighty Sinai Sound System, this milestone event brings together an iconic lineup of bass pioneers: Coki, Pinch & Trim, Beatrice M. and Gemmy. Expect deep, chest-rattling 140 and pure dubstep energy as we mark two decades of Pinch's iconic label. Don’t miss this one - tickets start at just £6.”
From: Tectonic Sound x Sinai Sound - Coki, Pinch & Trim,

“After two sold-out events bringing the Bristol 140 community together, the Right On crew are back—bigger, heavier, and louder than ever. This time, we’re teaming up with the globally renowned RC1 Sound System, the undisputed king of bassweight, delivering unmatched clarity and raw power like no other + NO SOUND RESTRICTIONS. Expect deep underground bass, fresh dubs, and high-energy sets from some of the best in the game.”
From: DUBZ ON DRAUGHT x RC1