Music / Previews
Bristol’s Month in Metal & Prog: April 2026
April brings something for everyone, from the classic prog of Yes to the cutting edge Native American black metal of Blackbraid.
Fleece, April 7
Taking their name from a song on Entombed’s Wolverine Blues, this Maryland grindcore band formed in 2009 and have six studio albums under their collective belt, the latest of which is 2024’s Coagulated Bliss. They’re promising to play “as loudly as humanly possible” on this tour. Support comes from The Body, Jarhead Fertilizer and JAD.
Fleece, April 8
Neither Nordic nor giants, this English duo offer quite a live experience. Their performances are full-on audio-visual affairs with cinematic projections, while the twosome – who go by the names of Rôka & Löki – hide behind elaborate masks. Inevitably described by some as ‘post-rock’, their suitably cinematic music is peppered with inspirational samples from the likes of Martin Luther King and Terrance McKenna (ask your dealer). New album Under Celestial Alignments is out now. Support comes from musical fellow travellers Last of Eden.
Fleece, April 9
There’s no shortage of Native Anericans in metal, such as Joey Belladonna of Anthrax and Chuck Billy of Testament. Native American bands tend to be less commonplace, though the sixties had Redbone and the seventies and early eighties brought the marvellous Blackfoot (hands up all those who remember seeing them at the Hall Formerly Known as Colston). Now we have the equally splendid Blackbraid, a black metal band from the Adirondack Mountains, New York. It’s essentially a solo project by a chap named Jon Krieger, who goes by the Mohawk stage name of Sgah’gahsowáh (“the witch hawk”). Their music is suitably raw and powerful, shaped by the landscapes that spawned them. Support tonight comes from British black metallers Winterfylleth and Noctem, who bring the darkness all the way from, um, sunny Valencia.
Bath Forum, April 17
Will she Can the Can? Or take us down to Devil Gate Drive? This seems pretty likely, as Suzi is promising a hit-packed show to celebrate her remarkable 62 years in the business of show.
Fleece, April 28
LA-based Swedish metallers arrive in Bristol on an extensive tour to promote their fifth album, Angels Calling. Support at the Fleece comes from Dream State and Written by Wolves.
Bristol Beacon, April 30
SHOW POSTPONED – NEW DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
Fleece, April 30
. . . or Love Without Arthur Lee, if you want to be pedantic. But given that Arthur died back in 2006, his absence is excusable. Guitarist Echols is the sole remaining original member of the influential sixties psychedelicists. He’s been keeping the music alive in one form or another since 2009 and even played one of those ‘farewell’ tours, which reached the Fleece back in 2019. On what’s becoming an annual visit to Bristol, his incarnation of Love are likely to play all the favourites.
Main pic of Yes at the Bristol Beacon in 2024 by Mike Evans.
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
John 5, Thekla, May 7
Jethro Tull, Bristol Beacon, May 10
Tim Bowness with Butterfly Mind, Bruce Soord and John Sykes, Rondo Theatre Bath, May 29
Hawkwind, Brisol Beacon, June 13
Sunn O))), Prospect Building, June 28
Gong, Fleece, July 2
Rosalie Cunningham, Louisiana, July 17
Steel Panther, O2 Academy, July 24
ArcTanGent Festival (Primus, Igorr, Napalm Death, Alcest, Amplfier), Fernhill Farm, Aug 19-23
Voyage 35, O2 Academy, Sept 15
Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks, Bath Forum, Sept 17
Marillion, Bristol Beacon, Sept 18
Big Big Train, Komedia Bath, Sept 27
The Hu, Prospect Building, Oct 1
Steve Hackett, Bristol Beacon, Oct 7
Robin and Bina Williamson, The Cube, Oct 23
The Sheepdogs, Trinity, Nov 16
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