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

Khabat Abas and Rachel Musson at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
jazz experimental contemporary classical
Cartographies of Memory at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental talks film
Deep Listening Workshops with Dan Johnson at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental ambient drone workshops & classes lgbtq+
Creative Adult Wellbeing Workshops 1-3pm at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental film
Adult Life Drawing at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes life drawing
Creative Adult Wellbeing Workshops 1-3pm at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
Oram/100: workshops with Saffron Records at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental electronic workshops & classes
Queer East: Edhi Alice at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
lgbtq+ film
Queer East: Heartbeats and Hiccups at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
lgbtq+ film
Evan Parker and Trance Map+ at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental contemporary jazz electronic
Holly Thomas: Half Light at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental theatre
Afrika Eye Film Festival - Liyana at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
film festival
Afrika Eye Film Festival - The Man Died at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
film festival
Afrika Eye Film Festival - Flame at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
film festival
Afrika Eye Film Festival - Félicité at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
world film festival
Afrika Eye Film Festival - Timbuktu at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
film festival
Black Industrial/Noise at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
experimental noise electronic industrial techno
Creative Adult Wellbeing workshops at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
Creative Adult Wellbeing Workshops 1-3pm at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
workshops & classes
The Snowman at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
family event film

Get a feel for Arnolfini

Our recent recommendations for Arnolfini

Amélie Ravalec’s experimental film Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers traces the visionary provocateurs dismantling artistic orthodoxy. It delves into Japan’s 1960s avant-garde crucible; a nexus of sociopolitical upheaval birthing insurgent aesthetics across blurred photography, shadowy theatre, and corporeal Butoh rites. Japanese Avant-Garde Pioneers at Arnolfini.

Music crams our modern lives, but how much are we really listening? I mean…realllllllly. Drawing on Pauline Oliveros’ meditative, consciousness expanding practices of Deep Listening, this workshop from Dan Johnson (EP/64) could change your life... Deep Listening Workshops with Dan Johnson at Arnolfini.

Part of the Fashion in Film Festival’s GROUNDED season. Artist Jeannette Ehlers is joined by curator Karen Alexander to discuss Ehlers’ video works exploring Black hair as a symbol of identity, heritage, and resistance. Using hairstyles like cornrows and afros, the work connects personal expression to wider histories of Danish colonialism and cultural survival. Cartographies of Memory at Arnolfini.

Experimental music platform Eavesdropping returns to Arnolfini with two improviser-composers: the raw politicised sound art of Iraqi Kurdish experimental cellist Khabat Abas, and Rachel Musson, a saxophonist fusing improvisation with text, field recordings, and live processing. This could be the most adventurous and globally attuned event you’ll see all year. Khabat Abas and Rachel Musson at Arnolfini.

RepresentAsian’s dedication to amplifying South Asian culture in the club and beyond has been tireless. Now they’re hosting an informal sit-down with the local Desi diaspora (and curious outsiders) to listen to lyrical tales of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi experiences, struggles and triumphs. This South Asian Heritage Month, RepresentAsian are excited to host an evening of stories from Bristol’s Desi community.