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

Sell out warning! Thee mightiest Holy Tongue incarnation cometh! Adding Bristol raw improv icon Dali de Saint Paul to an already-flawless unit hellbent on historical On U Sound punk-funk destruction - all leylines lead to Brew for this sacral homecoming of mystical post-punk heritage, from Pop Group to Skull Disco to EP/64 to bold and future lands... Schwet with Holy Tongue and Ladr Ache at Strange Brew.

Sell out warning! Seize your chance to see Falmouth’s finest Lost Map-approved carnivalesque psych-folk collective. Blind Yeo are gonna carry the Jam Jar to new cosmic heights with wonky, motorik-tinged pastoralism (and a goblin outfit or three) – this one’s set to ignite fans of: Tunng, The Beta Band, Melin Melyn, Gong. Blind Yeo + Baby Deltic at The Jam Jar.

Globally adored for dialling up the kosmische with 21st century fusion GOATs The Comet Is Coming, Danalogue steps out to the fore in this dazzling analogue synth journey through all known galaxies. Timelessly distilling everything from 60s Moog stargazing to 80s acid house to 00s chillwave, this is the birth of a brave new world FFO: Wally Badarou, Lone, Legowelt, Space Dimension Controller. Danalogue AV Show at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! "I AM THE BLACK JAMES DEAN!!!!" Falle Nioke shouts over Peter Hook-style post-punk bounce, in a truly insane cocktail of driving 80s motorik and warped afro-futurist disco vision. Pigeon are seriously hot, Soundway says so, and this is one outernational space station your ass really needs to dock at. The crest of a big big wave FFO: William Onyeabor, Talking Heads, Joshua Idehen, ESG. PIGEON at Strange Brew.

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What our editors say

“Baby Bugs is an alternative music project founded by Bowie. Raised on bluegrass guitar and church hymns, Bowie spent years held under the weight of religious trauma and emotional abuse before discovering that writing their feelings in the form of a song or poem was the only way to express themselves clearly. In 2021 at the age of 18, Bowie released their first song "Hey Bunny". Surpassing 2 million streams in its first 60 days and receiving an outpour from fans encouraging Baby Bugs for more, Bowie decided to continue to write and record songs with the goal to help others who have experienced similar hardships feel less alone.”
From: Baby Bugs

“Transatlantic folk band The Magpies are quickly becoming one of the most exciting and innovative acts on the contemporary roots scene. Combining sublime harmonies with exquisite musicianship and impressive songwriting, The Magpies traverse Anglo and American roots, drawing inspiration from traditional Celtic folk, bluegrass and Appalachian trails, to create an effortless melting pot of music. ”
From: The Magpies Album Launch

“Supporting the duo will be Bristol’s own bluegrass mavericks Stillhaüs, who have been hitting stages, bringing their own brand of stomping hollering music for the past couple of years. Combining riotus upbeat songs, heartfelt ballads and waltzes, and death defying instrumental fiddle tunes, Stillhaüs bring something for everyone.”
From: Gilmore & Roberts + Stillhaüs

“Funke and the Two Tone Baby is a truly unique artiste. Designing music on a machine of his own creation whilst playing a genre and sound that is totally his own. Jammed between off-kilter garage beats with a flash of hip-hop, and high energy alternative blues with a dose of funk, is a whirling blur of glitches, big drops and jump up choruses. It’s Fatboy Slim meets The White Stripes via LCD Soundsystem and a smattering of IDLES to boot. No one is making music in this way or in this style, and those who know, know, and those who don’t are surely missing out.”
From: Funke and The Two Tone Baby

“SUPPORT - Carniepunks play 'Acid-crypt swamp-punkadelia'. They channel the spirits of early post-punk bands such as Killing Joke, Bauhaus and The Birthday Party and the deranged psychedelic blues of Dr John the Night Tripper. Carniepunks excavate the ghosts of their birthplace's dark heart in drum-heavy songs spiked with a tincture of dread. The fetid Avon delta is a cursed place full of bad magic.”
From: The Fallen Leaves + Carniepunks + The Lone Sharks