Arnolfini

Bristol primary exhibitions space also hosts music events.


Known for its gallery space and exhibitions, it's easy to forget that the Arnolfini also hosts some unique music events (1 or 2 a month). Technically the venue excels with its main auditorium boasting a high spec PA, large stage and quality lighting setup.

Unsurprisingly the Arnolfini's (music) programming bears strong links with Bristol's arts scene. While shows are diverse, alt-indie, folk and electronica bookings are undeniably prevalent. Past guests include Dirty Projectors, Polar Bear, Tunng and Tim Hecker.Considering the popularity of experimental, modern music amongst Bristol's art crowd it's worth nothing that such events are popular and frequently sell out well in advance.

What's On At Arnolfini

Arpilleras Workshop at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
Trevor Mathison, Gary Stewart, Nkisi at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental noise electronic industrial techno
Creative Adult Wellbeing workshops at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
Censoring Palestine at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
talks film festival
Dabke Workshop at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes festival
Family Shorts & Dabke performance at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
film festival
The Palestine Laboratory at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
talks film festival
Creative Adult Wellbeing Workshops 1-3pm at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
The Snowman at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
film family
Baby Sensory Play Session at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes family
Grief Walks at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes exhibition
Mindful Seeing at Arnolfini at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes exhibition talks
Creative Adult Wellbeing Workshops 1-3pm at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
ATTIC Teas: Breathe and Brew at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes exhibition food & drink
Somatic Movement Workshop: Our Bodies Need Time and Space to Digest Ideas at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes exhibition yoga
Letters to Loss: A Creative Writing Workshop at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes exhibition

Get a feel for Arnolfini

Our recent recommendations for Arnolfini

Essential documentary exploring the weaponization of anti-Semitism and the UK Terrorism Act to suppress Palestinian solidarity. Featuring Ken Loach, Sarah Wilkinson and Roger Waters, 'Censoring Palestine' outlines the mechanisms of this concerted campaign of censorship across journalism, social media and academic institutions. Censoring Palestine at Arnolfini.

Three luminaries of Black avant-garde sound link up for an essential dive into post-colonial techno and noise reclamation. Trevor Mathison (of Black Audio Film Collective renown), Gary Stewart and Nkisi present their ongoing radical sonic research practice 'Black Industrialism' via a compelling experimental essay-concert. Trevor Mathison, Gary Stewart, Nkisi at Arnolfini.

Holly Thomas recalibrates our senses with dance-theatre piece Half Light, blending storytelling, movement, and textured sound to refract her lived experience of visual impairment and parenthood. Eschewing conventional audio description, it conjures a multi-sensory realm where movement is inhabited as deeply through sound as it is through vision. A beautiful exploration of a mother-son relationship and lived experience of visual impairment, through immersive dance and sound.

Two absolute wonders of improvised performance in one evening! UK free jazz GOAT Evan Parker spins hypnotic patterns with circular breathing and overtone manipulation, while Trance Map+ blend acoustic instruments with live electronic processing to create shape-shifting soundscapes in real time. Arnolfini is thrilled to welcome back the legendary exponent of free improvisation, with new collaborators.

Tender and heartfelt, Edhi Alice is a documentary portrait of trans lives in South Korea from trailblazing director/activist Ilrhan Kim. It screens at Arnolfini as part of the Queer East travelling roadshow, offering you a rare chance to see queer cinema from East and Southeast Asian communities across the UK. Presenting director Ilrhan Kim’s moving documentary portrait of two trans women in South Korea.