The Thunderbolt
Small gig venue in Totterdown.
The Thunderbolt is an independent music & arts venue on the Bath Road, Totterdown. The intimate venue is a restored Grade 2 listed former 1830's tollhouse with a large, rear garden.
The Thunderbolt's music policy is broad and includes indie, folk, punk, country, roots, rock and ska. Local bands like Yes Rebels, John Vistic Experience, Archimedes, Phantom Limb, Annette Berlin, The Liftmen, Empty Pools, First Degree Burns, Ruckus Collective amongst many others have played gigs at the Thunderbolt.
The Thunderbolt has become established as a "circuit venue" on the live music scene, with previous touring bands including:
Nationally John Parish (PJ Harvey), Ian Mclagan (Faces/Small Faces), Hugh Cornwell, Miles Hunt, Will Self, Howe Gelb, John Cooper Clarke, Howard Marks, Jerry Dammers, Carleen Carter, Louisiana Red, Wilko Johnson, Wayne Hussey, The Pretty Things, Justin Sullivan, Jim Bob (Carter USM), The Christians, DJ Don Letts, Roy Bailey, Wreckless Eric, John Power (Cast/The La's), John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett, Zoot Money, Justin Townes Earle, Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets), John Hegley, Dr Feelgood, Blue Aeroplanes, Jim Bob (Carter USM) & Chris Difford.
The Thunderbolt's music policy is broad and includes indie, folk, punk, country, roots, rock and ska. Local bands like Yes Rebels, John Vistic Experience, Archimedes, Phantom Limb, Annette Berlin, The Liftmen, Empty Pools, First Degree Burns, Ruckus Collective amongst many others have played gigs at the Thunderbolt.
The Thunderbolt has become established as a "circuit venue" on the live music scene, with previous touring bands including:
Nationally John Parish (PJ Harvey), Ian Mclagan (Faces/Small Faces), Hugh Cornwell, Miles Hunt, Will Self, Howe Gelb, John Cooper Clarke, Howard Marks, Jerry Dammers, Carleen Carter, Louisiana Red, Wilko Johnson, Wayne Hussey, The Pretty Things, Justin Sullivan, Jim Bob (Carter USM), The Christians, DJ Don Letts, Roy Bailey, Wreckless Eric, John Power (Cast/The La's), John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett, Zoot Money, Justin Townes Earle, Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets), John Hegley, Dr Feelgood, Blue Aeroplanes, Jim Bob (Carter USM) & Chris Difford.
What's On At The Thunderbolt
Get a feel for The Thunderbolt
Our recent recommendations for The Thunderbolt
Beaker are back! Reunited after 25 years in tribute to late bassist Kim Parsons, the cult indie rock quartet were a fixture of Oxford’s DIY scene in the 90s – their hefty, hooky, harmony-laced sound still hits. Big find FFO: The Raincoats, The Breeders, Life Without Buildings, Bas Jan.
BEAKER // SONIC SUNRISE
Disorder put Bristol street punk on the map. Alongside Chaos UK, they channelled 2 minute bursts of distorted hxc, double speed drumming and anarcho-spleen into a legacy of brutal West country punk, that’s as pissed off with today as it was then. It’s never too late to see them, especially with Belfast nasties War Corpse in tow.
Bristol’s Disorder and Belfast’s War Corpse + 3 Incredible Local bands
Live history lesson incoming! Glaxo Babies are simply Bristol’s greatest 80s post-punk band - born and gone in a flash of itchy guitars, dubby basslines, and shambolic lo-fi punk-funk joy. You’re bloody lucky to see them again, with overlooked power-punk heroes Private Dicks - all from foundational DIY imprint Heartbeat Recs. Mandatory attendance FFO: Pigbag, Pop Group, Blurt, Maximum Joy, Wire etc.
GLAXO BABIES + PRIVATE DICKS + SOCIAL SECURITY + LOUD SNOTTY DJS
UK modal sax-punk originals inna James Chance meltdown style. Blurt and Ted Milton are still a mutant jazz hurricane to be reckoned with, 40 years on from their first release.
BLURT ARE BACK!!
A deep dive into the political life of America’s definitive protest folkie, Woody Guthrie. Video, spoken word and live music evoke impassioned times on the picket line, dodging freight trains and hired thugs with that iconic 6 string Fascist-killing machine. All proceeds go to Medical Aid for Palestine too!
The life of the original USA protest singer, brough back to life with live music. spoken word and film.