Bristol's Blues Events

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Bristol's Blues Scene

Is blues music under-represented in Bristol?

While other American-originated music like funk and soul enjoy a huge number of acts and dedicated venues, where is the home of blues in Bristol? With its roots in the oppression of the black peoples of America, blues was transplanted over to the UK via white rock acts like the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton. A quick browse of blues played on the BBC recently and tyhe Guardian’s list of the best blues festivals show some support for nearby Bath, but nothing for blues in Bristol. This begs the question: who will lead the new blues revival in Bristol?

Blues gigs in Bristol are found in pretty consistent venues with places like The Prom and the Thunderbolt popular live blues spots. Generally blues-rock seems more prominent in Bristol than traditional rhythm and blues bands or delta blues singers, although there is some really interesting stuff out there. Other venues to check for blues include the Cori Tap in Clifton and the Blue Lagoon on Gloucester Rd.

It's always worth looking at what's on at the Canteen in Bristol whose listings vary in style but are usually consistently high in quality - some potential blues gems there...

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Our recent blues recommendations

Hit the Cotham Club for some bayou-deep, soul-drenched Louisiana blues! Kirris Riviere and The Delta du Bruit coil gnarly guitars, chiming keys, and Riviere’s arresting vocals into utterly danceable gospel swamp-rock FFO: Dr. John, Taj Mahal, The Black Keys, Gary Clark Jr. KIRRIS RIVIERE & THE DELTA DU BRUIT at Cotham Parish Church, Cotham Road ( top of St Michael's Hill ), Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6DR.

Brazil-born, LA-based guitar master Fabiano do Nascimento builds whole worlds armed with just a 7-string and a loop pedal. His unique Rio groove is alive with the spirit of traditional Afro-samba, choro and folk – one of the most transportive live jazz experiences you’ll find this side of the Atlantic. Fabiano do Nascimento at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! Fog rolls into Strange Brew for the return of Maria Somerville... her full-band set promises the spectral braid of folk, dream-gaze, and star-smeared pop she’s refined into a kind of sonic weather. These tickets will move fast; unmissable future icon FFO: Cocteau Twins, Broadcast, Mazzy Star, Julianna Barwick. One of the year's standout talents in the shoegaze-not-shoegaze revival returns to Strange Brew. Drawing on folk forms alongside post-punk, traditional Irish motifs, starry eyed pop and hypnotic drones to create wholly original music that is borne of her roots in Connemara. “One of Ireland’s most vital young voices.” – Bandcamp

More avant-garde magic from Copenhagen's ceaseless musical wellspring… Fine’s off-kilter singer-songwriting and collaborations with fellow power-Danes (including Astrid Sonne and Erika de Casier) have launched her to cult status in just a few years. Her tender, moody 90s alt-rock meets electronic bedroom pop is full of country murmurs and sleepy strangeness. FFO: Mazzy Star, Why Bonnie, Maria BC, ML Buch. Off kilter, hazy and & slowed-down dream pop from one of the most talked-about acts from the thriving Copenhagen scene. Full band show after their sellout show at the Cube last year

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What our editors say

“Having played bluegrass festivals in England, the Netherlands, France and the USA the band have honed their own take on American music from the 1950s to the present day. With various combinations of the four voices, expect to hear interesting harmony and subtle instrumentation as they play their way around festivals, pubs, Arts Centres music venues and local markets.”
From: The Hogranch

“Growing up in between the deserts and refugee camps of Algeria, Ibrahim was regarded as a wanderer and a loner – he was nicknamed ‘Abaraybone’, meaning ‘ragamuffin child’. One day, he remembers, he was watching a western at a makeshift desert cinema and was struck by a scene in which a cowboy plays a song on a guitar. Inspired, he built his first guitar using an oil can, a stick and a bicycle brake wire. He started to learn to play, practising old Tuareg melodies, modern Arabic pop tunes and the Malian blues music of Ali Farka Touré.”
From: Tinariwen

“With a shared passion for modern bluegrass, The Charlotte Carrivick Band brings together four of the most exciting musicians in the UK today. Charlotte Carrivick is a flatpicking guitarist of international renown, sought for her inventive lead playing and regarded as an expert fiddle tune interpreter on the guitar.”
From: The Charlotte Carrivick Band + Erika Olson

“This intimate acoustic show features one man, one guitar, one voice. Raised in the home of southern blues-rock guitar, Kevin McLoughlin is back from Florida in the US for his second UK tour. His uniquely authentic southern Americana Blues Rock sneaks in an improvisational twist that makes every performance unique.”
From: Kevin McLoughlin

“Their second album Kirschblütenboogie (2025) follows their acclaimed debut — a lovingly loose, subtly crafted collection of instrumental tunes that feel like a warm breeze through strange weather. The music drifts between Khruangbin's mellow psych-funk, Hermanos Gutiérrez’ desert blues, and the cinematic elegance of Connan Mockasin or Mac Demarco.”
From: LÖWENZAHNHONIG