Bristol is known for its “everyone’s a DJ” stereotype, a cliché that’s only too true. It feels like everyone and their mum has a set of decks, with your flatmates claiming they’re the next Nia Archives or 4AM Kru.
A 2023 study found Bristol to have the highest concentration of DJs and artists in the UK (one in every 76 people), which makes it’s clear that there’s something different about the city compared to the rest of the UK.
Everyone is keen for their musical break, with student DJs Lost Track of Time going from humble roots in Hiatt Baker to sell-out shows across Bristol and beyond, I want to answer the question of nature vs nurture.
Does Bristol inspire people to become DJs, or do they flock to the city for its music scene? Essentially, what came first – the DJ or the decks?
A Brief History of Bristol’s Music Scene
Bristol’s music scene can be connected to its history with the slave trade and empire, with these links allowing a large Afro-Caribbean community to set up home in the city. Reggae bands such as Black Roots were formed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with groups centred around St Paul’s, introducing the city to ska and funk.
The St Paul’s riot of 1980, pushing back against stop and search laws, saw the community being allowed to self-police, meaning events could happen without police interference. All-night raves in empty buildings became the norm – something that couldn’t happen anywhere else.
This developed throughout the 1980s, with Bristol becoming the birthplace of new genre trip-hop, a fusion of funk, hip-hop and electronica. Bands like Massive Attack and Portishead made huge names for themselves, putting the city on the map for its experimental sound.
The 1990s saw the development of jungle, as well as drum and bass, with the iconic Lakota opening in 1992. The club became hugely popular, playing house, reggae and techno throughout the decade and into the early 2000s. Groups such as Roni Size & Rapresent formed in the city, as well as DJs such as Easygroove and DJ Die.
The scene has only continued to grow over the past few decades, with the opening of Motion in 2003 and the recent opening of the Underground. Although Motion’s future still remains uncertain, Bristol’s rave scene isn’t going anywhere.
The DJs today
It’s clear Bristol has the venues for it, but do people choose Bristol for its music scene or discover it when they get here? I know the city has hugely changed my music taste, but I’m interested to know how its affected the people that make the music.
I spoke to Fin, a first-year student who has played with Lost Track of Time and is also set to play their upcoming Motion Day Rave in May. Fin told the Bristol Tab that he has always been interested in music before moving to Bristol, saying, “I’ve been DJing in my bedroom on and off since I was 11 – this sounds a bit intense but I guess my parents’ passion for electronic music really influenced me. I only really started DJing properly (as in, looking for gigs) around a year ago when I was leaving my band. This really accelerated when I came to uni here.”
When talking bout Bristol’s music scene and its influence on his university choice, he added, “I chose Bristol for a number of reasons, but the music scene was definitely up there. What particularly attracted me was Bristol’s association with bands like Massive Attack and Portishead, as well as the DnB and Jungle scene.
“I don’t think there’s a right answer to what makes it so special, as music or a night out means different things to everyone. I’d have to say authenticity – but I’m really not sure it’s the word I’m looking for. There’s just a certain feeling I really like at venues such as Love Inn, Jam Jar, Lakota, etc.’
Fin added Bristol’s vibrant scene makes music a lot more accessible: “I think generally the music scene in Bristol is pretty accessible; there’s usually a mate who has decks or a guitar or something you can create with.
‘There are lots of promoters who are always on the lookout for student DJs or Bands, and tend to do this by going through some of the Music societies (GigSoc, RockSoc and DJSoc). Being in these communities makes it much, much easier than my experience in London.
‘The hardest part, in my opinion, is keeping the determination – on my first ever visit to Bristol I had to bring a Drum kit on the train from London to play a gig with my band that zero people came to (it was literally just us and the sound tech in the room).
“My experience DJing is much the same; playing to mostly empty rooms can be real painful, but more often than not, if you can stick with it eventually it’ll pay off and you’ll hopefully get some good opportunities rolling through.”
We also spoke about the changing scene as the cost of living has resulted in many venue closures. He said, “Motion’s closure is a really sad loss, but it is a story far from unique. A lot of live music venues and clubs up and down the country have been struggling for a while, especially since COVID.
‘That being said, there is something really special about Bristol’s nightlife and I don’t think Motion closing is going to break that resolve…there’s always more to a night out in Bristol than what’s on the Triangle.”
Why Bristol?
Compared to larger cities like London or Manchester, Bristol’s size makes it ideal for huge events, whilst still keeping the community feel that its music scene was built on. Gloucester Road and Stokes Croft give the sound one of the coolest backdrops possible, with venues like Love Inn and even Turbo Island (it counts, I swear) keeping the scene going.
With lots of events to get involved in, you can even enrol on a DJ course, with both Basement 45 and Lakota offering lessons for aspiring DJs. The sheer number of venues within the city means it’s relatively easy to book your first set, with places like the Crown offering slots to students and local artists.
Despite this, having the kit isn’t cheap, and a decent set of decks could set you back hundreds or even thousands of pounds. You definitely need a decent amount of commitment, a lot of free time and the money to spare.
However, with the universities’ high private school population and huge percentage of students from middle-class backgrounds, it’s unsurprising that so many students have the means to start making their own sound.
So – what’s the verdict?
Does Bristol make the DJs, or are they drawn into the city? Is it a question of nature or nurture?
I think the answer is a bit of both – Bristol attracts the right people, and those people keep the scene going, either getting involved as beginners or entering as experienced artists.
Bristol provides the right environment for aspiring DJs to hone their skills with its rich musical history inspiring newcomers to the city and ensuring there’s a foundation for artists to break into the scene.
It doesn’t seem like this trend will change either, with the expansion of the University of Bristol even further, bringing in more students and the continued opening of new music venues only adding to the scene. The closure of Motion will certainly be a setback, but it’s certainly not the end.
Ultimately, Bristol makes the DJs and the DJs make Bristol – it’s a co-dependent relationship.
