Bristol Music News
The Streets Add Second Bristol Sounds Date After Presale Sellout
Bristol Sounds has announced a second performance date for the Streets following unprecedented demand, with tickets for the original June 27, 2026 show selling out during presale. The additional show is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2026, and will feature Mike Skinner’s seminal project performing their 2004 multi-platinum album A Grand Don’t Come for Free in full for the first time.
Alongside the Streets, Bristol Sounds has confirmed Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark as headliners for June 26, 2026. With over 40 million records sold worldwide, OMD helped define the sound of the eighties through albums like Organisation, Architecture & Morality, and Dazzle Ships, featuring hits such as Enola Gay, Souvenir, and If You Leave.
General ticket sales began on October 17 at bristolsounds.co.uk, with the festival once again taking place at the harbourside Lloyd’s Amphitheatre.
Simple Things Festival Returns to Bristol in November
Following a standout 10th anniversary edition in 2024, Simple Things returns to Bristol for its eleventh edition with a week of boundary-breaking events celebrating contemporary music culture. The buildup to the main event gets underway from Tuesday, November 4 with Moin performing at Bristol Beacon.
On Thursday, November 6, iconic electronic duo Autechre will perform live at The Prospect Building, marking one of the festival’s most anticipated shows. The festival continues with Daniel Avery bringing his live show to Beacon Hall on Friday, November 7, with support from Scaler.
Saturday, November 8 promises to be the main festival day, transforming Bristol into a playground of cutting-edge sounds across multiple venues. This year’s programme includes performances from Dry Cleaning, Tunde Adebimpe, Factory Floor, Decius, Richard Dawson and many more boundary-pushing artists.
October’s Packed Live Music Calendar
Bristol’s music scene is absolutely buzzing this October with an incredible range of shows across every genre imaginable. From folk and roots to electronic and rock, the city’s venues are hosting some truly exceptional talent throughout the month.
Major Venue Highlights
At Bristol Beacon, the month features everything from Al Stewart and Glenn Hughes with Sophie Lloyd on October 14 to Feeder on October 9, Level 42 with Roachford on October 11, and Greg Davies taking over Bristol Hippodrome.
The Louisiana continues its stellar run with Dead Rubber Dolls celebrating their “Nobody’s Home” album launch on October 17, Nature TV on October 20, and Tom Speight on October 23.
Folk Scene Flourishes
October is extraordinarily busy in Bristol’s folk and roots world, featuring the Shackleton Trio from East Anglia returning on Friday, October 17 after their successful Priddy Folk Festival performance.
St George’s Bristol hosts Welsh triple harp genius Cerys Hafana on Thursday, October 2, and powerhouse duo O’Hooley & Tidow bid farewell (temporarily) on Thursday, October 9.
Thekla’s Diverse Lineup
Thekla brings the energy with Afro-Celtic fusion from Baka Beyond on Thursday, October 2, high-energy Quebecois traditional music from Club Debris on Sunday, October 12, and psych-folk-punk from Ushti Baba celebrating their second album release on Saturday, October 18.
Multi-Genre Festival Fun
The Bristol Festival of Tech, Creativity and Culture runs October 6-11 across various venues, featuring inspiring speakers, pioneering tech, and captivating artists.
En Masse celebrates its fifth birthday with a multi-venue event from October 7-12, showcasing the city’s innovative underground electronic music scene.
Notable October Gigs
- Deaf Havana at Trinity Centre on October 9
- Nova Twins at Electric Bristol on October 11
- Biffy Clyro at The Prospect Building on October 16
- The Wytches at Thekla on October 14
Looking Ahead: November Music Highlights
November kicks off with a bang as DJ Boring, HAAi, Avalon Emerson and 1-800 GIRLS take over The Underground on Saturday, November 1. The same evening, D Double E headlines DOCUMENT Bristol with support from Denham Audio, Mike Skinner, and Jay Carder.
November’s Must-See Shows
- The Lovely Eggs at Trinity Centre – November 1
- Jamie Webster at Thekla – November 1
- Graham Bonnet Band at Lost Horizon HQ – November 1
- Gary Numan at Bristol Beacon – November 16
- James Hype’s SYNC show at Bristol Beacon – November (date TBC)
Bristol’s music calendar remains packed through the autumn, with Simple Things Festival transforming the city into a hub of cutting-edge contemporary music for a full week. With 376 upcoming events currently scheduled across Bristol’s venues, there’s truly something for every music lover in the city.