By Olivia Hunt, Second Year, English
When looking for a university city, music venues were of extreme importance for me. I mean, of course I considered typical factors like the course, accommodation, rankings, and all that jazz. But coming from somewhere that seemed to be a barren desert for live music, I knew that Bristol could fulfil that absence.
As a result, I spent my first year attending gigs and delved into musical spaces in and out of my comfort zone. So, here is a rundown of the main music venues that you may find yourself in, and the variety of audiences you may find in Bristol! No matter the venue, you can always find new mates at a gig and have a great time.
O2 Academy Bristol: Fandoms and camping culture
This venue is nestled in between two UOB accommodations, Unite House and Orchard Heights, which makes it easily accessible from campus and the city centre. If you have ever been to an O2 venue, they’re all pretty similar in that they haven’t really got the right idea of air-conditioning, but usually make a good gig.
Before even attending this venue, I noticed when hobbling up the Orchard Heights steps the queuing culture from the first week of term. This wasn’t just teenagers waiting for an evening of bedroom indie-pop, signing flags and posters for the artist and ‘camping’ out from 7am, but also maturer, retired fans who also waited for hours before a gig. But no matter who is queuing, they are usually up to talking to you if you’re interested in the artist performing - this fan culture is clearly friendly.
Not to say that you need to queue for ages for this venue at all. It’s not that big! With a 1600 capacity, there is enough space for a good view no matter when you turn up, so prioritise those lectures and avoid the camping. I advise having the O2 priority app (for a shorter queue) or knowing someone who has it who can let you in quicker too.
Bristol Beacon: A hybrid space for all ages!
Right round the corner from the O2 you will find the newly refurbished Bristol Beacon, a larger venue (1800/2100 capacity) that operates as a media hub right in the centre of town.
I had the liberty of seeing beabadoobee here in November of 2024, and met two girls who also attended the University of Bristol. Whilst we were older than the rest of the audience, it was nice to gravitate towards similar and welcoming people. The concert hall is beautifully open and spacious, ticketed for standing and balcony seats for everyone’s preference and accessibility.
It is a multifaceted venue, presenting classical music but also embracing contemporary scene with events for all ages. Audiences are fairly mixed, and the space is also used for charity and educational events which pulls all ages from across Bristol. You could meet a conference-attendee and members of a book club lounging in the café all in the same song!
Thekla: Club queuers and Indie-beginnings
Typically known by university students for being a club venue, Thekla is prized for its unique setting of a boat docked on the harbour. On Thursdays and Saturdays, you will see packed queues from 10:30pm wrap along the dockland full of anticipatory students hopeful for a good night.
However, Thekla also operates as an intimate gig venue (400/600 capacity), with various popular artists bracing the stage. It is a space also used as part of Bristol’s Dot to Dot festival, in which people are encouraged to discover local indie artists. Thekla’s audience fluctuates in masses, making it interesting when attending events.
Exchange: Genre Battlers
Exchange is a non-profit venue that showcases a variety of independent acts. There are two stages which usually show different acts at the same time, resulting in a variety of audiences in the same space. However, these audiences are small (250/260 capacity) and the bar space/ outdoor seating means you can meet lots of people from outside your social sphere.
This venue was the first increasingly ‘alternative’ venue I’d ever been to, and it gave me a shock when I was expecting the typical indie-rock audience for the band I was seeing. The upstairs stage was blaring heavy metal, and I felt fairly out of place to the crowd surrounding the bar area.
Unknown to me, the gig I was seeing was actually at the other stage in the basement, and I met people there closer in similarity than the metal fans. Not that the metalheads were unkind, I was briefly chatted to by a group who saw I seemed lost!
I think the clashing of genres for both floors is a great way to meet people out of your bubble, but could they be so different if you share the passion of music? I even met the band I was seeing and talked with them after the gig. Such a different experience to any gigs I’d ever seen before compared to what I’d seen at home.
In the end, every event you go to is going to greet you with a different audience, yet I feel that in Bristol you should always expect a good time. If you need someone to go with, I advise joining GigSoc that hosts socials weekly! It’s a great chance to meet similar music-orientated fans, what’s the best way to bond other than through music?
Featured Image: Tia ShahWhat kinds of people do you see at these venues?
