What's On / Bristol Gigs

Bristol Gigs

— All Bristol's Live Music

Buy tickets for Bristol's best gigs and live music.

Live music gig with great Bristol bands.

Bristol’s best gigs

Every week, the Headfirst editors trawl through all of the live music listings on the website and pick the best gigs for you to go to. Our event selections range from classical music concerts at St George’s Hall to smaller, local musician’s gigs at The Canteen or the Exchange.

Check out this week’s Bristol gig selections over on the Headfirst Facebook page and don’t forget to join our weekly email list for ticket alerts and announcements about interesting bands coming to Bristol including our biggest venues like SWX.

All tickets for this concert were sold through Headfirst Ticket Shop.

Tickets for Bristol gigs

In 2016, Headfirst Bristol launched an online ticket shop for live music events. Inspired by local cooperatives and community interest companies like the Bristol Cable and The Island, Headfirst provides an ethical and respectful place to buy tickets for gigs in Bristol. Our booking fees are low (usually 65p per ticket) and we strive to help support independent live music events as much as large concerts at venues like Bristol Beacon or Marble Factory.

Upcoming gigs in Bristol

Sat 5th April
Shanghai Treason at Lost Horizon
Sat 29th March
Ferocious Dog at Lost Horizon
Thu 3rd July
Bill Callahan at The Trinity Centre
— The Trinity Centre

Bill Callahan in Bristol Tickets

Tue 28th October
Låpsley at The Trinity Centre
— The Trinity Centre

Låpsley in Bristol Tickets

Live music venues in Bristol

Bristol’s gig venues play an essential and often overlooked role in the city’s music scene. A spectrum of venues provides a ladder for new bands and musical talent to ascend. DIY spaces like Lost Horizon and Strangebrew provide a testbed for the screaming synthesisers and the guitars that will undoubtedly become part of Bristol’s future. Check out Headfirst’s Bristol venues page to discover which kind of performances and concerts you can expect from each gig venue.

First live gig for one of Bristol's best guitarists.

Our editor's top live music recommendation

Unmissable all-day misrule and crust/hxc/street punk pit heaven at the metal-working anarchist oasis aka Rockaway Park. 14 bands across 2 stages including Barcelona’s Riot City pogo punks Lux and the righteous return of blistering buzzsaw upstarts the Flex + shuttle bus from BRS, vegan cafe, info stalls, crowd-surfing kiddies. Bliss and leather! UNREST 2025 at Rockaway Park.

Sell out warning! Harsh joy, opulent noise, beloved punk-spirited pop. Are Deerhoof the most utterly distinctive yet impossible-to-pin-down band of the 21st century? WELL DUH. DEERHOOF at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! It's Melvins ...... what the hell else do you need to know? Melvins at Exchange.

Sell out warning! You’ve lost years of your life as Doomguy, saving the world repeatedly from Cyber Demons with absolutely no thanks from anyone. Now relive the trauma IRL with the UK’s only Doom tribute act playing those loading screen classics amid other franchise-friendly metal bands + gorey visuals and playable OG Doom machines. Video Game Tribute Band at Exchange.

Recommended Gigs

Mon 29th September
The Duke Spirit at Strange Brew
Wed 14th May
Gordi at Bristol Beacon
— Bristol Beacon

Gordi in Bristol Tickets

Mon 14th April
Angels of the North at The Trinity Centre
Thu 12th June
Cap'n Jazz at Thekla
Fri 16th May
TELGATE / THE FREAKSHOW / GHOLA at Rough Trade Bristol
Sun 25th May
The Vernon Spring at Strange Brew
Sat 3rd May
Bristol Sober Spaces at Rough Trade Bristol
Wed 22nd October
The Bluetones at The Trinity Centre
— The Trinity Centre

The Bluetones in Bristol Tickets

Sun 18th May
ACOPIA at Rough Trade Bristol
— Rough Trade Bristol

ACOPIA in Bristol Tickets

Gigs in Bristol today

Most of Headfirst’s visitors come to discover new bands and live music in Bristol. We’re proud to be Bristol’s most complete gig listings resource, complete with a full breakdown of gigs in Bristol today and tour dates for the next six months. A sterling selection of open mic nights (particularly along Gloucester Road), provide ample midweek entertainment for would-be talent scouts.

Sell out warning - buy tickets while you can!

Sell out warning! Sonic ritualism and spiritual liberation through psych funk, hip-hop and Afro-punk legends-in-the-making BCUC. The Soweto seven-piece returns triumphantly to Bristol at the feverish demands of you, the people, after many many sell-out shows at their Jam Jar home. Do not miss this! BCUC at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! Get yer fill of scuzzy DIY punk across three days at Red Lion, Exchange and Moor Beer… the Punx return with Crass-approved anarcho legends Zounds alongside queercore heroes The Menstrual Cramps, Welsh skate-thrashers Pizzatramp, riot grrrl ragers Pussy Liquor + looooads more TBA. Bristol Punx Picnic 2025 - Saturday at Exchange.

Rapper announces our new Bristol gig guide on the microphone!
Sell out warning! If you’ve had your ears to the gutters of Bristol these last 12 years, you would’ve heard the gentle throb of Schwet aligning with your heart flutters. Self-identifying sonic freaks, make your way to the checkout please. Schwetfest 12.0 at Strange Brew.

Free entry! Revival-style Celtic balladry melds with velvety Americana in the hands of former Green Man Rising winners the Eve Appleton Band. Their lush layered harmonies and intricate proggy arrangements ooze with graceful warmth; art folk at its best FFO: The Weather Station, Laura Marling, The Staves, First Aid Kit. Eve Appleton Band at The Canteen.


Local bands and musicians

Local musicians are the lifeblood and new energy that constantly rejuvenates Bristol’s venues and performance spaces. Graduates from Bristol University’s Music course and BIMM provide regular injections of talent ranging from electronic music producers to classically trained pianists and orchestral musicians. Some of Bristol’s most successful bands are the first to point out that their inspiration comes from other local bands and gigs they’ve attended; with this in mind Headfirst is careful to include as much local talent as possible in it’s gig guide.

In addition to attending gigs you can also support Bristol’s musicians by buying their records from independent stores like Idle Hands Records, Shall Not Fade and Christmas Steps Records.