Outdoor gigs and concerts in Bristol | Summer 2022

Outdoor gigs and concerts in Bristol | Summer 2022

Posted on: 08 Jun 2022

You just can't beat a bit of live music in the sunshine, and there are plenty of stellar open-air shows coming up in and around Bristol this year.

 

Summer is within touching distance, and at 365Bristol HQ we can't wait to usher in longer, lighter evenings, Harbourside beers after work, and a vibrant offering of live music descending upon the city in June, July and August.

 

This year we've got plenty of open-air performances to look forward to across the city and the wider Westcountry, covering a broad range of genres and some of the UK's biggest and best live acts.

 

Experience Keane's indie classics in the heart of Westonbirt Arboretum, dance the night away with CHIC & Nile Rodgers overlooking Bristol's iconic Harbour, or have your socks knocked clean off on The Downs by a huge lineup at the debut edition of new festival, Forwards.

 

Read on for a quick rundown of some truly unmissable outdoor gigs and concerts coming up this summer, and be sure to get those tickets booked ASAP to avoid disappointment!

Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum.

Forest Live | Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 June

 

Not strictly Bristol, this one, but it's not too far up the road and absolutely worth a mention in our opinion.

 

Forest Live is a major outdoor live music series that celebrates and helps to safeguard the beauty of natural woodland areas around the UK, taking place at Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire, Cannock Chase Forest in Staffordshire and Suffolk's Thetford Forest.

 

Almost two million people have attended Forest Live gigs since their launch in 2000, with ticket costs going towards vital conservation and environmental work. 

 

To date, the concert series has enabled Forestry England to continue supporting the nation's 1500 woodland and forest areas, and maintain natural spaces to welcome millions of visitors every year.

 

This year, attendees at Westonbirt Arboretum can expect atmospheric live sets from Rag'n'Bone Man, Keane, Madness and Texas across four days in June.

 

While Rag'n'Bone Man and Madness have sold out, fans can still get their hands on tickets to see Keane or Texas - find out more and get yours here.

 

 

Bristol Sounds | Wednesday 22 - Monday 27 June

 

Celebrated open-air concert series Bristol Sounds is making a welcome return to Lloyds Amphitheatre this summer, having been unable to go ahead in 2020 or 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

The first wave of acts was announced late last year, with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds set to open the 2022 series on Wednesday 22 June, joined by Australian electro-pop group Confidence Man.

 

The following day Paolo Nutini will perform live on the Harbourside for the first time since selling out the same venue back in 2014, before cult rockers Elbow take the stage on Friday 24 June.

 

Celebrated electronic duo Jungle will headline on Saturday 25 June, before indie-folk duo First Aid Kit take the reigns on Sunday 26, supported by Bristol's own Katy J Pearson.

 

Bristol Sounds 2022 will close with a performance from revered US outfit The War on Drugs, certain to provide a spectacular end to the series with a typically intense and ambitious live show.

 

While Paolo Nutini's headline gig has sold out, a limited number of tickets remain for the rest of the lineup - find out more and get yours here.

 

 

Bristol Beacon Presents | Wednesday 13 - Friday 15 July

 

Bristol Beacon are set to host two of their biggest live events of the year in July, bringing two world-renowned acts to Bristol's Harbourside Amphitheatre.

 

Legendary recording artist Nile Rodgers has been confirmed for two live performances with CHIC on Wednesday 13 & Thursday 14 July. Expect two unforgettable shows from a band responsible for a seemingly endless array of hit tracks, from 'Everybody Dance' to 'Le Freak' and 'Good Times'.

 

The following night, iconic indie-pop outfit Belle & Sebastian will be taking the open-air stage for their biggest Bristol show to date, supported by Northern Irish art-rockers Django Django.

 

A handful of tickets remain for each of the three performances - find out more and get yours here.

 

 

Bristol Harbour Festival | Friday 15 - Sunday 17 July

 

Another of Bristol's biggest annual events, the Harbour Festival is adored by locals of all ages, bringing together unmissable live music performances, some of the city's leading culinary stalls, esteemed local artists and more across one sun-soaked July weekend. 

 

Truly a celebration fit for the whole family, Bristol's much-loved Harbour Festival features something for everyone, and won't be one to miss this time around as the event celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary.

 

A musical lineup is yet to be revealed for the festival's 2022 edition, but visitors can expect an ambitious programme of live shows taking place across the Harbourside, spanning a vibrant selection of genres and sounds.

 

Keep up to date with news over on the Harbour Festival website, or find the team on Instagram.

 

 

The Legends Festival | Friday 19 & Saturday 20 August

 

The Legends is making a welcome return to open-air venues across the country this summer, The Legends Festival gives fans the chance to relive the magic of some of the greatest musical performers of all time.

 

Taking place at Blaise Castle across two days in August, the Bristol leg of the festival will be hosting some of the UK's best-loved tribute acts, including One Night of Elvis, Legend: A Tribute to Bob Marley, The Bon Jovi Experience and more.

 

Sunshine, good vibes and some of the greatest music ever made - late summer combinations don't get much sweeter than this! Get your hands on final tickets for Bristol's Legends Festival here.

The Legends Festival.

Forwards | Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 September

 

Set to showcase a vibrant musical lineup and open up conversations around activism and social change, new Bristol festival Forwards has been devised to "challenge what metropolitan festivals can be today and how they can do good, from the inside out."

 

Alongside an intriguing programme of speakers featuring John Barnes, Jack Monroe and Lawrence Hoo among others, the festival's inaugural edition is stacked with a diverse selection of musical acts spanning contemporary pop, techno, funk, jazz and much more.

 

Headliners Jamie XX, Charli XCX and The Chemical Brothers are sure to deliver three of the biggest Bristol sets of the year, with Floating Points, Kojey Radical, Overmono, Kae Tempest, Khruangbin, Sleaford Mods and many more also set to appear across Forwards' impressively varied debut lineup.

 

Landing at the tail end of summer, Forwards could be the perfect end to a vibrant few months of music. To join all of the artists above and much more on The Downs in early September, secure your tickets for the festival here.

 

 

Main Image: Ania Shrimpton @ Bristol Sounds

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Article by:

Matt Robson

 

Editor - 365Bristol.com & LOUD Magazine
 

Matt is a Journalism graduate and writer, passionate about supporting Bristol music, art and independent business. Get in touch via email at matt@365bristol.com.