With Liverpool hosting this year’s Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, all eyes are on the UK’s music legacy and Bristol is hitting the headlines as one of the country’s leading music cities.
Images: Bristol Sounds, photo credit Paul Box, and Dream Wife playing at The Fleece photo credit Bristol Nomad Gig Photography
Known as the birthplace of ground-breaking music from legendary acts such as Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size and more recently, IDLES and George Ezra, Bristol is world-famous for its vibrant and varied music scene (listen to this Bristol playlist to hear some of the tunes to come from here).
From famous artists playing in iconic concert halls, to bluegrass twanging under Banksy-decorated walls, and from breakthrough acts playing on Thekla (a German boat – turned eclectic venue), to world-famous headliners gracing the city’s summer festivals stages, music lovers are guaranteed to find gigs that suit their taste during a visit to Bristol.
Here is a round-up of venues, nightclubs, events and festivals that make Bristol the banging city it is!
Live Music events and festivals in 2023
27-28 May
Championing local acts as well as attracting world-class artists, Love Saves the Day is back in May 2023 at Ashton Court Estate to kick off the live music season in Bristol. This year’s line-up features Years & Years, Fatboy Slim, Four Tet, Kelis, Sub Focus and Dimension, Eliza Rose, Katy B plus many more.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/love-saves-the-day-p2361653
27 May
Dot to Dot has been known to bring hottest new emerging artists to city centre venues and they have announced acts for 2023 will include Yard Act, ALVVAYS, Finn Foxell and many more.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/dot-to-dot-festival-p2361633
Arctic Monkeys at Ashton Gate Stadium
29 May
Arctic Monkeys have announced the biggest UK and Irish tour of their career to date, with shows set for May and June 2023 - kicking off at Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium on 29th May 2023.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/arctic-monkeys-at-ashton-gate-stadium-p2601033
8-11 June
Paul Weller, Jack Savoretti and Tom Grennan have been announced to play against the spectacular backdrop of Westonbirt Arboretum as part of Forest Live in 2023.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/forest-live-at-westonbirt-arboretum-p2347953
21-25 June
Another iconic set of dates for Bristol live music, set on the Harbourside is Bristol Sounds in June. Self Esteem, Jacob Collier, James, MIKA, and Levellers have been announced so far.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-sounds-p2611913
24 June – 9 July
Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters is to headline this year’s Bristol Pride Festival on 8 July, with other acts on the bill including Girls Aloud Star Nadine Coyle, 90s dance sensation Alison Limerick, ‘Hypnotized’ singer Sophie and the Giants and Brit award nominee Ladyhawke.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/bristol-pride-p2357273
1 July
This year’s St Pauls Carnival will see over 100,000 people gather to celebrate this traditional Caribbean street carnival with music, dance and art. This year’s event will also mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush, as well as 60 years since Bristol’s Bus Boycott, which challenged racial discrimination.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/st-pauls-carnival-p2398423
27-29 July
Siren will be taking over the Bristol Harbourside for another year. The first night kicks off with drum and bass godfathers Fabio and Grooverider with Sean Paul taking the stage on Friday night and Hospitality on the Harbour will host chart-topping drum and bass DJ and record producer Wilkinson.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/siren-bristol-sean-paul-p3268103
Ministry of Sound Classical at Seat Unique Stadium
28 July
Ministry of Sound brings us incredible dance anthems as we’ve never heard them before – played by a 30-piece orchestra.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/ministry-of-sound-classical-at-seat-unique-stadium-p3280613
3-6 August
Showcasing Bristol’s live music scene as well as fine local food producers, you can expect everything from charcuterie to cider, street food to sit-down feasts – all with plenty of Somerset style and sizzle. On the bill is The Kooks, Banarama and Scouting for Girls, with more acts to be announced.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/valley-fest-p2398503
1-2 September
After its hugely successful inaugural event in 2022 on Clifton Downs, FORWARDS festival is returning in September 2023 to bring together music, social action initiatives, discussion and debate to inspire positive change. Acts to play this year include Erykah Badu, Aphex Twin, Bonobo, Primal Scream, Arlo Parks and Bristol’s own Goldie with the live ensemble, and Katy J Pearson.
https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/forwards-p3071043
Iconic Bristol Music Venues
In 2025/26, YTL Arena is due to open on the northern outskirts of Bristol. At 17,000 capacity, it’s set to be the third-largest arena in the UK and will attract world-class music, sports and entertainment. Dubbed ‘Home of Supersonic’, YTL Arena will be developed in the historic aircraft hangars where Concorde was built and has its sights on becoming the most sustainable arena in Europe, with a goal of being carbon-neutral from day one.
Bristol Beacon has undergone a complete redevelopment and is set to reopen in November 2023. As Bristol’s largest concert hall, Bristol Beacon has undergone a £48.8m transformation, which will turn the venue into a modern, accessible, state-of-the-art facility with two international standard performance venues, a bright new restaurant and its cellars in use for the first time as education and performance spaces. Back in the day, when the venue was called Colston Hall, superstars such as The Beatles, David Bowie and Rolling Stones played gigs in this historic space.
The beautiful St George’s Bristol celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2023 with a wide ranging programme of music performances from renowned performers of classical, chamber, world, folk, blues and jazz.
Once a German sea-faring vessel, the Thekla now resides by the Mud Dock in Bristol harbour, and its underbelly throbs with anything from house music to break beats, indie, soul and regular club nights.
No-frills and down-to-earth, The Fleece has been a legendary live music venue in Bristol since the 80s. A short walk from Temple Meads train station, it has a rich history of live music with big-name bands having graced its stage over the years – Oasis, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, White Stripes and Amy Winehouse to name a few.
The Old Duke on Bristol’s cobbled King Street is named after musical legend 'Duke' Ellington. In keeping with its namesake, it’s famous for the traditional live jazz music that’s played there every night of the week and on Sunday afternoons.
Sitting pretty amidst pastel-coloured houses, down the road from Wapping Wharf, is 19th century pub The Louisiana. The venue is indie and folk music inclined and has some big names under its belt, with its list of past acts reading like a music hall of fame – Muse, Kings of Leon, Coldplay and Elbow are just a sprinkling of bands that have played here.
Bristol’s Banging Nightclubs
Bristol loves to party and exciting DJs and event organisers in the city ensure the late-night, early-morning soundtrack is something special. For electronic music and all its sub-genres it’s essential to visit nightclubs like Lakota. This Stokes Croft stalwart of the local nightlife scene has booked countless major acts over the years as well as celebrating new talent. Motion, the super-club that’s regularly name checked as one of the best in the world is also a must-see. Expect globally respected names of the dance world on the programme, as well as live music at adjoining venue the Marble Factory. For sound clashes and club nights, Trinity Centre has been hosting a huge range of live music and community events for the last 40 years in this reimagined church in the Old Market area of town. Old Market is also known as one of the LGBTQ+ areas of Bristol, as well as West End, with several hugely popular nightclubs and vibrant bars including Old Market Assembly, OMG and Queenshilling.
On Bristol’s much-loved Harbourside is PRYZM, a stylish and popular nightclub boasting three themed dance arenas, VIP booths and a pre-club cocktail bar. Basement 45, The Attic Bar, The Love Inn, No. 51 Stokes Croft, The Black Swan and Cosies are just a handful of the other late-night clubs and bars where you’ll find DJs of an excellent calibre on the bill.
Bristol music experiences and tours
Brush up on some more of Bristol’s music history at M Shed, the Harbourside museum telling the story of the city’s people and places. They have exhibits on Creating Music and Going to Gigs, as well as local festivals such as the iconic St Pauls Carnival.
Visit much-loved venues and locations in over 20 stops on this in-person Rock and Roll walking tour of Bristol. Passing The Locarno, Hippodrome, Louisiana, The Fleece - hear all about the famous acts who played there. From The Beatles, Sinatra, to Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, these stars' greatness knows no end. Stop by Dug Out on Park Row where in the mid-80s, the Bristol music scene kicked off with Wild Bunch and Daddy G.
Another way to explore Bristol’s musical landscape is through Everything is Music. Follow this digital trail through your smartphone, tracking down locations connected to artists and prominent figures from the local music ecosystem, past and present.
If you’re always looking to top up your vinyl collection, go crate-dipping in Bristol’s many record shops. There are some gems spread across the city, whether you’re looking for the latest 12-inch dance cuts or a niche decades-old LP. Try Rough Trade for some vinyl gems, where you can also catch signings and gigs.
ENDS
For more information, visit https://visitbristol.co.uk/things-to-do/music
Additional information:
Famed for its passionate character, maritime history, and for the acres of parkland and sustainable approach that earned it European Green Capital 2015 status, Bristol has created its own distinctive identity. Visitors are attracted to the city’s year-round festivals, award-winning cycle tracks, gastronomy in rejuvenated shipping containers and behind secret doorways, stunning cityscapes, inspiring street art and lively music scene.
About Visit West: The Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It supports the visitor economy of the region which is worth £2.33billion and supports 45,000 jobs. Visit West operates the Meet Bristol & Bath Convention Bureau and Visit Bristol and Visit Bath consumer websites.
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