O2 Academy Bristol gigs for September 2026
Posted on: 17 Aug 2026September 2026 is shaping up to be a busy month at O2 Academy Bristol, with the venue on Frogmore Street offering up a particularly eclectic programme for music fans. From Amy Winehouse and Arctic Monkeys tributes to Iron Maiden, Daft Punk, reggae legend Capleton and the return of Day Fever, there is plenty to choose from as Bristol heads into the autumn.
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The Amy Winehouse Experience – Saturday 5 September
The month gets underway on Saturday 5 September with The Amy Winehouse Experience, bringing the music of one of the most distinctive voices of the 21st century to the O2 Academy Bristol. Caroline Lowe takes on the role of Amy, backed by a full live band performing the songs that made Winehouse such an enduring figure across jazz, soul and pop. Expect favourites from across her career, recreated as a full live show rather than simply a collection of songs. Doors are at 7pm.
Coldplace – Thursday 10 September
Coldplay fans get their turn on Thursday 10 September when Coldplace bring their tribute show to the Academy. The band aim to recreate the atmosphere and sound of a Coldplay arena performance, making this one for fans who want to hear the band's biggest songs performed live. The Bristol date has also been rescheduled from April, with tickets from the original date remaining valid. Doors are at 7pm.
Holy Holy – Friday 11 September
David Bowie's extraordinary musical legacy takes centre stage on Friday 11 September with Holy Holy featuring Woody Woodmansey, Tony Visconti and Glenn Gregory. The show is particularly notable because Woodmansey was the drummer in Bowie's legendary Spiders From Mars, while producer Tony Visconti worked with Bowie across several decades. The set covers Bowie's music from the 1970s through to Blackstar, with Heaven 17's Glenn Gregory on lead vocals. This is billed as Holy Holy's final tour, making the Bristol date an especially interesting one for Bowie fans.
The Beast UK: Iron Maiden Tribute – Saturday 12 September
Heavy metal takes over the Academy on Saturday 12 September when The Beast UK celebrate Iron Maiden's legendary 1986-87 tour. This is considerably more than a band simply playing Maiden songs, with the production promising an era-specific stage set, authentic lighting, pyrotechnics and visuals designed to recreate the atmosphere of Iron Maiden at the height of the Somewhere in Time era. The production uses a custom-built stage set created by Iron Maiden's original stage builders, making this one of September's more ambitious tribute shows.
The Big Freshers Party - Monday 14 September
The biggest and most unforgettable event of UWE Freshers Week, pulling out all the stops to throw the most high-energy club night of the year.
Massive headliners include: KiLLOWEN, INPARALLEL, BBYCLOSE, HOLLY OLIVIA. Expect ice-cold CO2 cannons, confetti showers, and non-stop energy from start to finish. This event is included in the UWE Freshers Week wristband. Student ID is required and curfew is 3am.
Colin Edwin and John Wesley's Voyage 35 – Tuesday 15 September
Progressive rock fans have something rather different on Tuesday 15 September with Colin Edwin and John Wesley's Voyage 35. Edwin, formerly the bassist with Porcupine Tree, joins live guitarist John Wesley for a show drawing on Porcupine Tree material that is rarely heard in the live arena these days. The performance also features the band's distinctive original 'Fruit Salad Lights' lightshow, promising a more atmospheric evening than the average rock gig. Doors open at 7pm.
Fishies Freshers Week Special - Wednesday 16 September
Another one for the students, doors open 10.30pm.
Capleton – Thursday 17 September
Jamaican reggae and dancehall star Capleton arrives at O2 Academy Bristol on Thursday 17 September. Known for his distinctive voice, energetic performances and decades-long influence on reggae and dancehall, Capleton brings a very different flavour to the Academy's September programme. For fans of reggae, roots and dancehall, this is one of the month's major opportunities to catch an established international artist in an intimate Bristol venue.
Daft Funk Live – Friday 18 September
The music of Daft Punk gets a full live treatment on Friday 18 September with Daft Funk Live, described by the Academy as a retrospective celebration of the French electronic pioneers. The show combines live musicians with a synchronised light production, recreating the sound and visual spectacle associated with Daft Punk's legendary performances. With material spanning the group's career, it promises to be an immersive night for fans of Discovery, Random Access Memories, Homework and everything in between. Doors are at 7pm.
UWE Fresher Special: Vikkstar - Friday 18 September
Rounding off your first week at UWE in legendary style with the Official Freshers' Closing Party, featuring an exclusive DJ set from Sidemen creator and viral superstar Vikkstar. From dominating global streaming to shelling down crowds, he’s taking over the decks for the definitive highlight of Bristol’s student calendar. This event is included in the UWE Freshers Wristband. Strictly 18+. Please bring ID. Curfew is at 3am
Day Fever – Saturday 19 September
And then, rather wonderfully, September's programme switches from late-night gigs to a daytime party with Day Fever on Saturday 19 September. One of the UK's biggest daytime discos, Day Fever has developed a following across the UK and Ireland, offering a chance to get onto the dancefloor without waiting until midnight. The music is personally curated by Jon McClure of Reverend and the Makers, Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen, with partygoers able to request songs before the event. Doors open at 3pm and the event finishes at 8pm, making it a rather excellent way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
10 Years of 6LACK Tour - Friday 25 September
Five-time GRAMMY-nominated and multi-platinum selling artist 6LACK heads out on his highly anticipated "10 Years of 6LACK Tour", celebrating a decade of music with fans around the world. 6LACK enters a new chapter following the release of his critically acclaimed album, Love Is The New Gangsta.
Antarctic Monkeys - Saturday 26 September
A cornerstone of the UK tribute scene, Antarctic Monkeys’ live show has the power, passion and creative edge to whip audiences into a frenzy while delivering the powerful tunes of Arctic Monkeys the way they should be.
Something for almost everyone
What makes September's programme at O2 Academy Bristol particularly interesting is the sheer range. There is classic rock, heavy metal, progressive rock, reggae, electronic music,tribute-shows, pop, soul and a daytime disco all packed into just over two weeks.