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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! Fresh off solo album #20(!), uber-prolific ex-Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci frontman Euros Childs comes to enchant Exchange alongside a full band of avant-pop scene friends. Deliciously absurd, near-vaudevillian neo-psych-indie delivered with trademark joy and whimsy… there'll be no standing at the back with your arms folded for this one, rock dads. FFO: Super Furry Animals, Hen Ogledd, Hefner, Ween, Sweet Baboo Joined by long term collaborators Stephen Black (aka Sweet Baboo) Stuart Kidd (Kidd, The Wellgreen) and Selma French (Morgonrode, Frøkedal).

Haunted alt-country, vying for Neil Young’s crown! Dylan LeBlanc’s soft-sung Louisiana blues are quintessentially Southern Gothic: brooding outlaw balladry that’s rich with cinematic texture. This is modern Americana at its melancholy best FFO: Johnny Cash, Valerie June, Christian Lee Hudson, Blake Mills, Dean Johnson. American singer-songwriter and guitarist

Hot on the heels of that monumental Evicshen show, Tough Sell bring us a pair of uniquely avant-garde collaborations. Tim Etchells and Aisha Orazbayeva forge disorienting, time-shifting soundscapes via Dadaist linguistic loops and deconstructed violin improvisations - while Theodora Laird and Caius Williams’ carve cavernously striking and free-wheeling experimentations for double bass and voice. Tim Etchells + Aisha Orazbayeva / Crosspiece (Theodora Laird + Caius Williams) / Aisha Orazbayeva solo

Neo-classical adventurism from the brains behind the keys in Spindle Ensemble and Tezeta (as well as Cosmo Sheldrake and Alabaster dePlume). Inzani leads first his piano trio and then a 9 piece band with astonishing compositional breadth, from delicate chamber beauty to downtown cinematic drama and luscious cosmic exotica. A true wonder FFO: Keith Jarrett, Nils Frahm, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Einaudi. Acclaimed composer & pianist double bill with trio and 9-piece band

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

“Nashville-based singer-songwriter Andrew Combs uses his gifts for lyricism and wry observation to weave tales of love, sin and redemption in a style that brings together classic country and contemporary pop.”
From: Andrew Combs

“Antwerp has, with its rich history and international port, always been a melting pot of cultures, a place where people from all over the world meet and exchange ideas. As amazing as their records may be, Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra is first and foremost a stunning live band that has thrilled audiences throughout Europe, including Ukraine, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, The Netherlands and of course their home country Belgium. They have even played in Ulan-Ude, the capital of the Republic of Buryatia (Russia), probably the most Siberian part of Siberia.”
From: Antwerp Gipsy Ska Orkestra

“This four-piece skeleton rock outfit formed in Bath in 2022 after Brother/Sister duo James & Phoebe sought out to find the perfect band. After working with Joe & Fred for 2 years their huge Bellamy/Kerr style riffs and overall energy has captivated audiences across the country. This culminated in the four piece mastering their skills and securing the sound that works for them, resulting in ‘Twin Skeletons’ est. September 2023. Their sonically diverse music provides an intriguing and addictive new sound to the current alternative rock scene as it serves a large range from singalong anthems to pop punk verses and metal breakdowns to suit a varied audience.”
From: Twin Skeletons

“Poppyshow blend catchy pop melodies with genuine raw punk chaos, energy and charisma. The band have been connecting with audiences up and down the country. GUARANTEED to be remembered after the show. They hold their own in hardcore punk shows, as well as melting hearts with their well written songs that dance their way though thrilling highs and contemplative lows.”
From: Poppyshow + Guests