The Best Live Music In Bristol this March

Josh Templeman Co-Deputy Editor

After a slow start to the year, we’re back giving you our picks for the best gigs happening in Bristol this March and oh my lord what a selection. With one of the most stacked months for gigs I’ve ever seen, these are the shows you cannot miss out on this month.

Souls of Mischief - 1st March - Marble Factory

Souls of Mischief are a group that needs no introduction. With comparisons to some of hip-hop’s all-time greats, like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest, the group hit the road for the anniversary of their 1993

Isaiah Rashad – 5th March – SWX

Top Dawg Entertainment’s very own Isaiah Rashad touches down at Bristol’s SWX this month in what promises to be an electric evening of soulful hiphop. With woozy beats and conscious lyricism, this is the rst time the rapper has played in the UK following the into politics and his own lived experiences than ever before. Ditching the dreamy, often jazzbased sounds of his previous e orts, Carner has entered a new sonic domain with his new material to widespread acclaim. We’ll be there and we hope you’ll be there too.

Self Esteem – 12th MarchMarble Factory of the ills of austerity and the struggles of the working class through his lyricism. Hip-hop heads shouldn’t miss out on this one.

BERWYN – 20th March – Thekla

album ’93 Til In nity’. Head down to Marble Factory for a spectacle of underground hip-hop and join the group as they chill from 93 ‘til.

Gentleman’s Dub Club & The Skints – 3rd March – Marble Factory release of his acclaimed 2021 project, The House is Burning.

Gentleman’s Dub Club have forged a reputation that sees them sit at the upper echelons of the UK Dub scene. The 9-piece Leedsbased band have consolidated a heavyweight sound, that doesn’t hold back in the energy it delivers whilst live. They arrive in Bristol this month alongside legendary reggae-punk band, The Skints.

ELIZA – 5th March – Trinity Centre

ELIZA has long been one of the UK’s most exciting R&B artists. Signed at just age 17, the London-born artist went platinum with her debut album back in 2010 and her trajectory has only been upward ever since then. Head down to Bristol’s iconic Trinity Centre or miss out serious waves. Named as Amazon Music’s 2021 breakthrough artist, her work has quickly earnt her a stellar reputation, with deeply personal lyricism and mellow instrumentals central to her sound..

Slowthai – 8th March – Marble Factory

Through Self Esteem, Rebecca Taylor has ditched her indie-band roots to become one of pop’s most exciting and celebrated artists. Her 2021 e ort, Prioritise Pleasure, was one of the most praised albums of the year, topping the album of the year lists of many publications worldwide. She takes to Bristol’s Marble Factory this month

The Pharcyde – 16th March – O2 Academy Bristol

I cannot believe The Pharcyde are coming to Bristol. When it comes to

It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Berwyn. The Trinidad and Tobagoborn artist lives and breathes music and claims he’s only not making new tunes when he’s asleep. This passion has undoubtedly paid o , with Mercury Prize nominations and widespread praise. Lovers of R&B and neo-soul should have BERWYN on their radar if he isn’t already.

BIIG PIIG – 21st March – Thekla

Also heading down to Bristol’s iconic Thekla this month is BIIG PIIG. The Irish-born singer and rapper has quickly become one of pop’s most electric artists, always aiming for experimentalism and to push the boundaries of the genre.

Inspired by music legends such as Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse, Olivia Dean has been making some

Brash, abrasive and always braggadocious, Slowthai has been one of the most exciting artists coming from the UK in recent years. Having always irted with a more punk-based sound, ‘Doorman’ being one of the perfect examples of this, it appears his latest album (to be released March 3rd) is going exactly in this direction. Bring your earplugs and prepare yourself for a show that’ll be packed-full of rowdiness – this isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Loyle Carner – 12th March – O2 Academy Bristol

Loyle Carner’s 2022 project, hugo, saw the rapper delve deeper describing the hip-hop collective, who came to stardom back in the 90s, the word ‘legendary’ is genuinely an understatement. Their 1992 e ort, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, is regularly lauded as one of the genre’s greatest ever, with the followup, Labcabincalifornia, receiving similar praise. This is a big one.

Jeshi – 16th March – Exchange

Jeshi is an artist that has been taking the UK hip-hop scene by storm. Deeply political, with scathing social commentaries and introspective storytelling, Jeshi aims to spread the message

Channel Tres – 23rd March – Thekla

With a unique electronic sound, inspired by West Coast hip-hop, the LA-based singer, rapper and producer has been expertly carving out his own lane which is best described as silky and smooth.

Black Honey – 29th March – Thekla

Formed in Brighton nearly ten years ago, Black Honey is a four-piece indie rock band led by vocalist Izzy Baxter, who is often compared to Lana Del Rey. Following the release of their EP, OK, earlier this February, they head down to Thekla this month in what will undoubtedly be a heavyweight show.