Music / gig listings
Bristol’s Month in Metal & Prog: June 2026
It’s another mixed bag this month, ranging from the vintage space rock of Hawkwind to the classy prog-metal of Voivod. Plenty for fans of unadulterated metal too, including Venom Inc and Sunn O))).
Thekla, Thursday June 4
Newcastle black metal pioneers Venom’s complicated history now means that there are two rival line-ups. Venom Inc was founded by original Venom members Mantas and Abaddon (Jeffrey Dunn and Anthony Bray to the taxman), both of whom have now left, leaving Tony ‘Demolition Man’ Dolan, formerly of Atomkraft, to recruit two new blokes as replacements. They’ve released a couple of albums on Nuclear Blast, but no doubt still play a lot of the original Venom stuff.
The Croft, Thursday June 4
Welcome return of the Leed-based Technical Progressive Death Thrashers who were last seen, if memory serves, supporting Voivod at the Fleece. Their second album, Overspace & Supertime, is out now.
Thekla, Wednesday June 10
Yay! It’s the return of the brilliant French-Canadian prog-metal pioneers who really deserve to be playing much bigger venues than the Thekla after 40+ years. Their latest album is Morgöth Tales on Century Media. Support comes from Midnight, who’ve been described by their own publicist as “filthy, belligerent and obnoxious”. I say ‘band’, but Midnight is really just a fella who goes by the name Athenar. He records all the instruments himself but recruits other musicians to perform live. Seventh album, Steel, Rust and Disgust, is out now on Metal Blade. It’s all a bit NWOBHM with a Motörhead twist, so is highly recommended to anyone who likes their metal trad, loud and malodorous.
Bristol Beacon, Saturday June 13
The veteran space rockers have played this venue many times in its former incarnation as the Colston Hall, but this is the first time they’ve sullied the Beacon stage. Captain Dave Brock is still at the helm, at the age of 84 (I’ll have what he’s having). The next longest serving member is Bath’s very own Richard Chadwick on drums, a mere slip of a boy who’s been with Hawkwind since 1988. Although the audience will want to hear all the old stuff, the band have actually released a trio of great albums lately, beginning with The Future Never Waits (2023). Most recently, There Is No Space for Us, the 37th Hawkwind studio album, won great acclaim from the metal, prog and alternative press, suggesting that there’s plenty of gas in the rocket tanks yet.
Prospect Building, Sunday June 28
Hooded, very loud acquired-taste Seattle drone metallers return to rattle your fillings as they celebrate the release of their tenth, self-titled studio album on Sub Pop.
Main pic of Hawkwind supplied by Hawkwind Mission Control
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
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
Devin Townsemd, Komedia Bath, Sept 2
Todd Rundgren, Bristol Beacon, Sept 10
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
Baest, Croft, Oct 8
John 5, Thekla, Oct 13
Robin and Bina Williamson, The Cube, Oct 23
LA Guns, Electric Bristol, Oct 27
Von Hertzen Brothers, Trinity, Nov 1
The Sheepdogs, Trinity, Nov 16
Little Angels, O2 Academy, Nov 26
The Temperance Movement, Electric Bristol, Nov 29
These Wicked Rivers, Thekla, Dec 4
Dominun, Electric Bristol, Dec 9
Sevendust, Electric Bristol, Dec 11
Green Lung/High On Fire/Gnome, Electric Bristol, Dec 17
The Rasmus, Electric Bristol, March 4
Yes, Bristol Beacon, May 7
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