Everyone knows that the music scene in Bristol is one of the best in the country. Boasting the former editor of the NME as well as groups like IDLES and Massive Attack, it’s no wonder that music is a big part of the lives of students here.
As an incoming fresher, you might inevitably be wondering whether your Spotify playlists will meet the approval of your flatmates. Chances are that, if you can relate to any of these well-known archetypes, you’ll be passed the aux at house parties every time.
Environmentally conscious softboi: Declan McKenna/The 1975/Sea Girls
With a playlist like this, congratulations – you’re likely the West country’s favourite mullet-sporting Extinction Rebellion activist. With his inspiring eco-credentials, Declan is loved by students everywhere, but Bristol’s, and indeed your adoration is particularly fervent.
On an average day, you’ll be found rocking your sustainable yet undeniably wavey garms on Whiteladies road. In fact, your interest in second-hand garb was the inspiration for your Saturday afternoon hobby of raiding the Cancer Research on Queens Road, the (vintage, Y2K) spoils of which you will then sell on Depop for five times their original price (hashtag smallbusinessowner hashtag shopsustainable).
A cause doesn’t really exist until you have posted an infographic about it on your story – and when is the next College Green protest, anyway?
Favourite club: Something a bit off the beaten track, you know, like Mr Wolf’s or something. (It’s probably just Lakota.)
See also: Cassia, Alfie Templeman, The Night Café, Blossoms, Tame Impala, Wet Leg.
Basic indie wannabe: Wolf Alice/Sam Fender/Catfish and the Bottlemen
Shh – if you listen closely, you can probably still hear one of your brethren weeping outside of Rough Trade after missing out on the limited 7” pressing of Don’t Delete The Kisses last Record Store Day. You have probably watched every season of Skins at least twice, despite lamenting that all the smudged eyeliner and Amber Leaf in the world will never let you achieve Effy’s signature look.
If you’re a man, you probably have a DJ-ing side hustle, have disagreed at least once with a woman’s opinion on feminism and are also a bit of a softboi. (Really – Bristol is full of them.)
Favourite club: Thekla
See also: Everything Everything, Sundara Karma, Sports Team, The Vaccines, Black Country, New Road.
Basic club rat: Easy Life/Jamie T/Rex Orange County
Dust off your signet ring and break out the baccy, because it’s time for the group that makes up at least a third of Bristol’s student admissions. Hailing from Stoke Bishop, your favourite conversation starters consist of demanding some filters or complaining about your dwindling overdraft.
Once in a blue moon, you can be spotted stumbling to a 9am, nursing a hangover and clad in a North Face puffer. The Poppy’s, Tilly’s and Will’s amongst you will probably begin your Tuesday and Wednesday nights with some discounted Amstel at Channings, before ending them with some dutty tunes and bad decisions at Grav.
Favourite club: As long as it’s on the Triangle, you’re there.
See also: Bakar, Steve Lacy, RAT BOY.
Rainbow Pixie Dream Girl: Mitski/Phoebe Bridgers/Cavetown
If these are your favourite artists, you’re probably a part of the LGBTQ+ community. You’ve doubtless posted a heavily-filtered photo of your latest fit or a random sunset on your story, alongside a carefully selected ten-second clip of a Current Joys song or else a Russian heavy-metal band that is so underground you’re not sure that it actually exists. If anyone can make the Brandon Hill view look quirky and mysterious, it’s you right?
When you’re not rocking your Ragged Priest sweater vest or making new pals at FrogSoc, you’re on Bristruths giving your two cents about the OMG discourse. You might as well set up camp outside the O2 Academy or The Marble Factory, because with a music taste like yours, one of your faves is bound to turn up eventually.
Favourite club: Queenshilling
See also: Dodie, Girl in Red, IDKHOW But They Found Me, Mother Mother.
