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Folk Nights & Acoustic Music in Bristol

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Bristol's Folk & Acoustic Scene

Like jazz, folk is an extremely broad genre. From Joan Baez and Joanna Newsom to Bon Iver and the Fleet Foxes to Sheelanegig and Beirut, the folk field is vast. Fortunately when it comes to catering for such a broad spectrum of live music, Bristol excels.

Was folk & acoustic born in the West Country?

With local venues like Bristol Folk House and Bristol University Folk society, folk and acoustic music has a strong foothold in Bristol. The romantic images of a farmer chewing grass sitting on a hay bale is a West Country classic, English folk music has always thrived in the countryside. While Bristol isn’t as rural as its surroundings, music people have always flocked to Bristol from the surrounding areas, bringing the folk sound with them. So while folk music wasn’t born in the west country, it sure does have a home in Bristol.

Folk venues in Bristol
For off-centre Twee and Anti-Folk, be sure to check out what's on at the Louisiana and check the Lost Horizon listings. Cafe Kino and The Arts House both on Stokes Croft also host occasional anti-folk bands and solo musicians.

For less lo-fi and more straight up folk, key venues include: Lost Horizon, The Lansdown in Clifton, The South Bank Centre and The Folk House.

For more feisty folk bands keep an eye on gigs at The Attic and check out our gypsy jazz listings.

The folk big-guns and pop-crossover 'stars' like Noah and The Whale, Seth Lakeman and Mumford and Sons will be found at the biggest Bristol Venues (Colston Hall, o2 Academy and St George's Hall). For these gigs, arrive early as big folk events (at St Georges Hall in particular) can come packaged with some great (and potentially better) support artists.

Buy tickets for folk & acoustic events in Bristol

Our recent folk & acoustic recommendations

Sell out warning! The jazz gods have spoken, allotting us mortals in Bristol one final chance to reach true transcendence and achieve a love supreme. Get down on your knees - the greatest reedsman of the 21st century is about to lift the roof off St Mary Redcliffe. Praise be the Worms! SHABAKA in concert at St Mary Redcliffe.

Free entry! Crystalline avant-pop for the ages! Dummy are a whip-smart tangle of twee, grunge, trip-hop and basically every staple 90s sound going… without a cliché in sight. Think The Pastels meets Sonic Youth meets Broadcast, injected with joyful nu-gaze maximalism. Essential FFO: Bowery Electric, Stereolab, Yo La Tengo, Melody’s Echo Chamber, @. DUMMY + THREE QUARTER SKIES at The Lanes.

No-one was more ready to carry afrobeat’s roaring flame into the 2000s than Seun. He’s channelled Fela Kuti’s spirit seamlessly through the surviving Egypt 80 group AND ushered in revelatory sonic influences from hip-hop, dub, modern jazz, even a dash of punk vitriol. Amongst a sea of afrobeat imitators, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 are lone titans - like the Arkestra, they are walking miracles. World music ambassador

The arch conjurer of fiercely tight afrobeat, globetrotting hiphop and upful high-life grooves. Onipa’s lead vocalist and frequent collaborator with Nubiyan Twist, K.O.G’s vocal dexterity and effusive energy is pure heat from start to finish. Catch him in a special appearance with rising Ghanian vocalist Lamisi and Bristol’s leading wordsmith Dizraeli. “I view MUSIC as a major WEAPON in the BATTLEFIELD for PEACE of MIND in the world” – K.O.G

What our editors say

“Taking in soul, funk, country-rock and any other kinds of music they care to play, expect drama, improvisation, musical fireworks and Waterboys classics such as ‘The Whole Of The Moon’, ‘How Long Will I Love You’ and ‘This Is The Sea’.”
From: The Waterboys

“Their debut album Mill On The Hill sees the band jump between surf-rock, country, prog-rock and psychedelia with the grace and skill of a band with numerous records under their belt, held together by an efficacious and fantastical thematic principle. Melin Melyn translates to ‘Yellow Mill’ in Welsh, and on this album the Welsh six-piece invite the audience into the world they have quite literally built around them. Mill On The Hill transports the listeners to the utopian ‘Melin Village’, a Seussian world where townsfolk “bask in the beauty of song.” Enter our protagonists, the six millers who work at the titular mill on the hill, powered by the music that they create:”
From: Melin Melyn

“Known for her ruminative and well-crafted folk-inflected songwriting, New Zealander Nadia Reid emerged in 2015 with the well-regarded Listen to Formation, Look for the Signs, but it was her sophomore effort, 2017's award-winning Preservation, that elicited acclaim both at home and abroad. She continued to perfect her deft blend of textural pop and country-leaning folk-rock on 2020's richly detailed Out of My Province.”
From: Nadia Reid

“Formed by Zoe Catterall (lead vocal, rhythm guitar) in response to the absence of gender-diverse bands in the Sutherland Shire (Dharawal Country) music scene, the band also consists of Tessa Wilkin (drums), Courtney Cunningham (bass) and Hilary Geddes (lead guitar). Renowned for their raucous and high energy live shows, the band have built a devoted following with sold out headline shows in capital cities across the country in 2024.”
From: THE BUOYS

“With the small-town charm of boy from Bixby, the big-city energy of Dallas, and vocal prowess that rivals Nashville’s best, Corey has been poised for a career in music from the beginning. Growing up influenced by various genres and artists, Corey started his journey in country music at an early age.”
From: Corey Kent