Top music highlights for 2024

2024 looks to be another great year for Bristol’s musical calendar.

From day festivals in the city centre to two day camping festivals less than 30 minutes outside of the city. From international artists to local rising stars, the music events coming up in the next year have something for everyone.

Here’s a look at some of the top gigs and festivals you will not want to miss.

Simple Things Festival, multiple venues, February 24

Simple Things has announced its return to Bristol after four years to celebrate its 10th edition.

For the first time in the festival’s history, there will be a weeklong series of events, separate from the primary day, to celebrate the 10 year anniversary.

This includes an extra special closing concert from vaunted avant-garde trailblazer Fever Ray on February 29.

✰ Simple Things 2024 Night Programme ✰

We’ll be bringing the heat to some of our most-loved dancefloors in the city; returning to @LakotaBristol, Coroner’s Court, as well as welcoming @TheLoveInn AND @strangebrewbriz to the mix for the first time. pic.twitter.com/BJMtt5vLfL

— Simple Things (@simplethingsuk) December 7, 2023

Ritual Union, multiple venues, March 23

Taking place at several different venues including, SWX, Rough Trade and Strange Brew, 2024 will see the addition of The Island joining for the first time since the day festival’s inception in 2022.

Co-headlining the event will be Dream Wife and Liz Lawrence, who are supported by leading names on the bill including Do Nothing, Widowspeak, Cheekface, William Doyle and Das Koolies.

Samantha Lindo, Bristol Beacon, April 11

Bristol based singer, songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist Samantha Lindo blends the worlds of spiritual jazz, gospel and spoken word.

The singer’s debut album was released on November 10, which was funded by the Arts Council and the MOBO fund of Help Musicians UK, and she will be performing the album in full in collaboration with The Murmuration choir at this special gig.

Lynks, SWX, April 13

Originally from Bristol but now a rising star in London, the masked singer, Lynks, announced their signing to independent record label, Heavenly Records earlier this year.

The queer pop star returns to their hometown for a special gig at SWX.

Outer Town Festival, multiple venues, April 13

Launched in 2022, Outer Town Festival is the multi-venue day event that promotes some exciting new talent from the city and beyond.

Following a successful fundraiser earlier this month, there will be a change of image in 2024’s edition with a new main stage at Trinity Centre’s 500 capacity outdoor stage.

Headliners for 2024 will be London post-punk band Snapped Ankles alongside Yorkshire band Deadletter, Brighton sextet Opus Kink and south coast quartet Cowboyy.

The lineup promises local and national bands. photo: Outer Town

Dot to Dot, multiple venues, May 25

Taking place on May 25, the all day music festival prides itself on hosting an array of emerging talent from around the globe.

Headlining next year’s event will be musical duo Jockstrap. Elsewhere on the lineup, Cardiff band Panic Shack, Nate Brazier, Mary in the Junkyard and several others with more yet to be announced.

Love Saves the Day, Ashton Court, May 25 – 26

The festival returns to to Ashton Court for two days of live music across nine stages over the weekend.

The lineup is yet to be announced but if last year’s festival is anything to go by (the event welcomed Fatboy Slim as a headliner) then it’s sure to be another great edition.

Take That, Ashton Gate Stadium, June 8 – 9

Take That last performed at Ashton Gate in 2019 – their first Bristol show since 1992 when they came to the Colston Hall during their first ever UK tour.

The band’s performance at Ashton Gate Stadium will be the last date on the UK and Ireland tour to celebrate the release of their ninth studio album, This Life.

Bristol Sounds, Lloyd’s Amphitheatre, June 22 – 30

Returning this summer for its tenth anniversary, the open air series held at Lloyds Amphitheatre will, for the first time, host the city’s first all day open air rock event, celebrating legends of rock, reggae, punk and dub.

Skindred, Gentleman’s Dub Club, The Skints and The Breeders are among the first headliners to be announced.

Nowadaze Festival, Oxwick Farm, July 19 – 20

After going public in 2023, Nowadaze Festival returns to Oxwick Farm in Yate for another two day camping event just outside of Bristol.

The festival opened up an application process for 2024 to discover and promote grassroots artists.

The team are still finalising the lineup but we can expect it early next year and after last year’s headliners (Frazer Ray and In:Most DJs), it should be another exciting year.

Massive Attack, The Downs, August 25

Announcing a huge all-day event on the Downs in what will be their first gig in the UK for five years, Massive Attack are putting climate action at the frontline of live music.

The entire site will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and there are pre-sale tickets available for people from local areas.

Shall Not Fade Festival, Baskerville Hall, August 30 – September 2

Following a successful debut with a sell-out festival in 2022 and a return to Propyard for an all day event in 2023, the independent music label and shop has expanded significantly for 2024.

The 2024 edition will be a three day camping festival set on the grounds of the legendary country manor house – Baskerville Hill, located in Wye Valley on the England / Wales border.

As well as three days of music, there will also be an on site pub, a fully functioning restaurant serving breakfast every morning and roast dinners on Sunday, music industry talks, pop-up food traders, indoor chillout rooms, full access to the manor house, fully functioning showers and flushable toilets, among many other things.

Forwards Festival, The Downs, August 31 – September 1

After a successful inaugural event in 2022, Fowards Festival returns to the Downs to close out the summer season.

The festival is usually packed with live music and performances as well as being an open space for discussion and debate, welcoming experts, creatives and disruptors to the weekend event.

The lineup is yet to be announced but mark the event in your diary as not one to miss!

Main photo: Warren Du Preez

Read next:

• Massive Attack announce huge new gig with a difference
• Bristol Sounds reveals first round of headliners for 2024
• Dot to Dot announce first wave of acts for 2024

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