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

Happy 100th Daphne Oram! Three Bristol avant-gardists + peerless polymath Beatrice Dillon unite for a special commission to celebrate the pioneering electronic composer’s centenary. Improv agitator Dali de St Paul links with exploratory A/V practitioner Kathy Hinde and Lia Mazzari’s cello-and-whip centric sonics for a daring feat of experimental artistry. Beatrice Dillon, Dali De Saint Paul, Lia Mazzari, Kathy Hinde at Arnolfini.

Sell out warning! Mali blues master, electrifying the Saharan desert like his father before him. Vieux Farka Touré’s blistering guitar-funk-roots-rock fusion and wizened vocals are the sound of a star being born. Outstanding musical wonder to behold FFO: Tinariwen, Tamikrest, Ali Farka Touré, Oumou Sangare, Bombino. Vieux Farka Toure + Sisanda at The Lantern.

A rare Illegal Data return to celebrate the release of industrial wunderkid Silver Waves’ debut album. His otherworldly and blistering experimental noise is joined by Elvin Brandhi’s ritualistic improv distortions and avant-club meets anime-classical from the FLOCO, Stolen Velour + Aria SL super-trio. Silver Waves Album Launch w/ Elvin Brandhi + Stolen Velour, FLOCO & Aria SL at The Croft.

Western Gothic / fringe roots supergroup of the macabre, LA’s Heathen Apostles effortlessly alchemize the honky tonk, bluegrass and dark folk chops of their Cramps, Kings of Nuthin + Legendary Shack Shakers pedigree. Haunting, hard-edged outlaw country that’ll ride you past the sunset into the underworld FFO: 16 Horsepower, Graveyard Train, Those Poor Bastards. Heathen Apostles - Halloween Special at The Bristol Fringe.

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What our editors say

“For Kenney both of these releases serve as stepping stones in his artistic disciplines, as he seeks a way to use his knowledge of traditional fiddle music in his own compositions without compromising the integrity of either. Through direct experience, Kenney allows other musical forms such as psychedelia, bluegrass, jazz and Italian tarantella to seep into his music but never so far as to allow any one influence to dominate his deep love for traditional fiddle playing. The result of crossing these stones is his forthcoming work Tiny Little Light, set to be released in September 2025.”
From: Mikey Kenney

“Following his youth in Wimberley, TX, playing blues, manouche jazz, and western swing in bars and dance halls across the state, Buck moved to Brooklyn and released two solo EPs, Live from a Volcano (2013), and Heart Was Beat (2015). Concurrently, he met songwriter Adrianne Lenker in 2012, and after a year of fervent collaboration, they recorded two EPs,”
From: Buck Meek

“Bringing a new splash of spirit to old time genres, four-piece band Moonshine Malarkey raise the roof with raucous drinking songs and tell lyrical tales of monkeys, mermaids and moonshine. Expect a signature blend of footstompin’ country, swing, folk, calypso and boozy blues, with fiery violin solos, high energy drums and smooth lead vocals joined by soulful harmonies.”
From: Moonshine Malarkey

“Head down to The Canteen for a raucous night of croonin’, swoonin’ and good-time grooves. Bristol’s own Swamp Puppies roll in with their swamp-soaked blend of country, blues and rock ’n’ roll, guaranteed to have the whole room stompin’ along.”
From: Swamp Puppies

“In the late 1960s he was a regular performer at the legendary Bristol Troubadour and founder of the Folk Blues Bristol & West club. He was heavily influenced by old country blues players before taking a left-swerve in the early ’70s with a trio of songwriter/ guitarist albums for the pioneering and now highly collectable Clifton-based independent label Village Thing.”
From: Ian A. Anderson & Friends