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

Pummelling noise and experimental club mischief as Chewing Glass and SNOG team-up for a suitably bone-rattling affair. Featuring Mabe Fratti-approved avant-garde punks Luz Luz Luz, ATC’s industrial maverick Kinlaw and Ekstasis’ sublimely sepulchral incantations. Not to mention a heavy, heady dub-noise-techno collab from members of HERIOT + SCALER. Luz luz luz! (CDMX), Kinlaw (ATC), Terrorplex (Heriot) + Zoning (Scaler), Ekstasis, Orderly Room, CGC DJs

Noods deliver a triple combo club knockout with Shy One’s peerlessly upful UKF/acid/boogie, Rinse FM’s 3 deck slicing 140 wunderkid MJK and Big Murk’s melting-pot fusions of Arabic rap and UK bass culture. A killer blow to the tunnel-vision BPM police. We're welcoming three heavy hitting DJ’s – Shy One, MJK & Big Murk for an evening bass, techno, house and more. This is not one to miss.

Uncompromising broken bass belters as NVST conjures the ultimate cake smash for Pressure Dome’s birthday with USBs in total meltdown. Industrial dubclub, wretchedly swung acid and break-step mind-wobblers plus All Cap’s revered Bake down from Glasgow. 5 more years please…. Pressure Dome is turning 5! Heavy hitters across UK techno, bass, dubstep, 140 & tech house incoming for the B-day bash.

Huge system alert! Sotofett returns to Brew with live vocalists Kambo + Angela Zia running through lovers rock and roots on Fett’s bespoke dubplates - this pulse is about to get cosmic on one of the subbiest rigs around: QSS Qualitex DJ Sotofett (Sex Tags Mania / Wania / Amfibia) known for his marathon sets is back for his annual Bristol visit. This time with a special edition running steppers, dub, jungle, dub techno, reggae, lovers rock & dubstep on the Qualitex Soundsystem. Joined by Kambo Super Sound + Angelia Zia (on vocals)

What our editors say

“MAIN PHASE - Copenhagen-born DJ, producer, and co-owner of ATW records with Interplanetary Criminal has solidified himself at the forefront of the UK bass scene in recent years. Blending garage, dubstep, and jungle, he's known for energetic sets featuring unreleased tracks. His innovative sound is instantly recognisable and loved across the UK scene by ravers and fellow established producers alike.”
From: Frontline Presents: Main Phase, Bakey, Capo Lee +

“Their timeless studio mixes have received over 2,500,000 plays collectively online and are often described as the pinnacle of real dubstep. Sporting much-lauded (and sold out) releases on the unparalleled DEEP MEDi MUSIK, Osiris Music, Lioncharge, and Ruffcut, Kaiju have made a monumental impact on the scene over the last 12 years.”
From: KAIJU CGC Sound System NYE Special

“Join us on Friday 20th December at Clock Factory Bristol for a night of high-energy drum & bass, jungle and 140, headlined by the legendary Ego Trippin, hosted by Elkay!”
From: Xmas DNB Fundraiser Rave w/ Ego Trippin + More

“Expect more silliness than you know what to do with. A full spectrum of bass music, from disco to drum and bass, from UKG to dubstep. It's time to bring Father Funk back home, back to where it all began. The Lanes was the home of the Church of Love for many years and has hosted some of the wildest parties the venue has ever seen. ”
From: FATHER FUNK Homecoming Show

“Chloé Robinson’s new alias marks the final stamp of her evolution into a DJ/producer with a refined musical attention and expanded repertoire of projects. Formerly known as Barely Legal for over a decade of DJing under the wide umbrella of UK bass, grime and dubstep, her subsequent venture into production and the reassembling of the foundations of her own label Pretty Weird Records has grown in parallel to her refreshed multi-genre approach to her selections.”
From: Lakota Presents: Chloé Robinson | Jamie Unknown