Bristol’s month in World Music – February 2026

Well it’s a reggae-rich month in prospect but first – mea culpa! – a big apology for not spotting last month’s top reggae night. Somehow the awesome combination of Eek-A-Mouse, Dawn Penn, Tipper Irie and Scientist all on one night at Motion slipped under the radar for the January bulletin. New Year’s Resolution – must try harder.

So: let’s begin with February’s biggest reggae name – Omar Perry, son of the mighty Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry now touring with Scratch’s 2010 backing band ERM (Easy Riddim Maker) (Exchange, Thur 19). Unsurprisingly Omar was pursuing his own career in music but then ERM bandleader Olivier Gangloff suggested they work together in tribute to the late great Lee. The result is a roots-drenched fusion of Omar’s own style with his father’s legacy.

The reggae month starts before that gig, however, with conscious roots man Da Fuchaman & his Fireblaze Band (Jam Jar, Sat 7), followed by a sound system night at Trinity (Fri 13) with Downbeat Melody welcoming Muscle-head. Then there’s a big night at Trinity reflecting the infusion of reggae into the UK Jungle scene and its American cousin. Morefire Soundsystem present LA producer 6 BLOCC with live contribution from longtime festival faves Zion Train and a headline set from seminal Junglist Ray Keith. Given the date (Sat 14) that’s some serious love in prospect.

Even more serious love is happening over in Broomhill with the splendid Unification of Dub night (Green Works, Sat 28). Billed as ‘The Lioness Chapter’ you won’t find any footballers on stage but an all-female showcase of selectors – Sasha Steppa and Reemshot – on the Concrete Lion Soundsystem with vocals from Leicester singer Nia Songbird. And if you’re a budding reggae musician yourself don’t forget Canteen’s monthly reggae/dub jam Riddim (Tue 24).

But wait – isn’t it coming up to Shrove Tuesday? Surely, and that means Mardi Gras celebrations kicking off with Roda de Samba (Sun 15), a five-hour party at Fleece with samba outfits Ilu Axé and Simbora plus a live Encontro Session led by Bloco B musicians. On the day itself (Tue 17) Canteen host their excellent Latin Descarga session then Jam Jar have a two-night Mardi Gras Party (Thur 19/Fri 20) with New Orleans  style Brass Funkeys headlining.

The venue later hosts US-based Brazilian guitarist Fabiano do Nascimento (Wed 25) who uses a 7-string acoustic guitar and loop pedals to create his solo music. The same night over at Canteen there’s Bossa nova celebrations when Zubieta & The Suaves welcome guests and then Canteen goes on to host irresistible roots Cumbia from Barcelona-based ‘migrant Andean’ band Las Forasteritas (Fri 27).

Their name might suggest a 60s garage band but The Cavemen (Trinity, Thur 19) are in fact a duo at the front of Nigerian Highlife-Fusion, a contemporary melding of highlife with afrobeat and Nu-Soul jazz. The Power Town Fest (Strange Brew, Sun 15) is an all-dayer celebration of African and Caribbean culture in Bristol. The 10-hour long extravaganza has live music – headliner is rapper Donae’O – plus DJ clashes and super tasty food traders. Strange Brew also has an Afro-Brasilian night with Sessa but, alas that’s already well sold out.

Contemporary bands like Huun Huur Tu and Yat Kha from the Mongolian/Russian Tuva region introduced us to the sounds of Mongolian throat singing and the relentless drive of those horse-headed cello-like Morin Khuurs. Anda Union (Lantern, Mon 9) are a 9-strong collective from Inner Mongolia with their own blend of traditional styles with modern attitude. Similarly you can hear the distinctively Egyptian roots of ‘psych-funk orkestra’ Tashkezar (The Bell, Wed 18) while the same stage also welcomes the pan-Balkan and klezmer grooves of acoustic outfit Troyka (Sun 15).