Music / Previews
Bristol’s Month in Metal & Prog: March 2026
It’s another fairly quiet month on the loud and progressive music front, with Moldova’s Infected Rain promising to liven things up at the end of March. There are, however, some tasty additions to the Coming Soons, notably the welcome return of The Sheepdogs and the first show round these parts by Jon Anderson at the Band Geeks, who promise “Yes epics, classics and more” Be warned that the latter is nearly sold out so you’ll need to move fast if you want tickets.
Fleece, March 3
Return of the ‘rockgrass’ pioneers who started out, as the name suggests, with covers of AC/DC tracks before diluting their appeal with songs by the Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand, Boney M, the Village People, etc. Their most recent release is Shattered Glass, a collection of original ‘outlaw country’ songs.
Bristol Beacon, March 24
Back on the splendidly titled Another Bloody Greatest Hits Tour, 10cc no longer includes Kevin Godley or Lol Creme in their line-up but is instead fronted by co-founder Graham Gouldman. Apart from guitarist Rick Fenn, the rest of the band are fairly recent recruits. Still, you can expect to hear all the hits, including I’m Not in Love, Dreadlock Holiday and – if they can still reach the high notes – Donna.
Infected Rain/Butcher Babies/Black Spikes
Fleece, March 29
Moldovan metallers Infected Rain make a welcome return to Bristol, having last been seen here opening for Dragonforce at the Academy two years ago. Fronted by impressively tattooed Elena Cataraga (stage name: Lena Scissorhands), who switches effortlessly from menacing growl to clean melodies, they’ve thus far lacked the killer song that will achieve a breakthrough. Main support comes from Butcher Babies, who have a great image and no shortage of enthusiasm but have proved rather underwhelming on their previous shows round these parts. Opening the show are Lithuania’s Black Spikes, playing their first gig in Bristol.
Main pic of Infected Rain by Kirill Zmurciuk.
COMING SOON
Here’s our essential diary of upcoming gigs that should be of interest to anyone of a rockin’ disposition.
Full Ov Hell, Fleece, April 7
Nordic Giants, Fleece, April 8
Blackbraid, Fleece, April 9
Suzi Quatro, Bath Forum, April 17
Solence, Fleece, April 28
Yes, Bristol Beacon, April 30
Love with Johnny Echols, Fleece, April 30
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
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
The Sheepdogs, Trinity, Nov 16
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
