Home Blog Guides

What’s On in the South West 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events

Posted on Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 18:00

Will Rabjohns

Written by
Will Rabjohns

What’s On in the South West 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events

What’s On in the South West 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events

Looking for live music, concerts and events happening across the South West of England in 2026? Browse upcoming live music tickets and discover some of the standout shows coming to venues across the region.

From Bristol and Bath to Exeter, Plymouth, Bournemouth and Poole, this guide highlights standout live shows and tours happening across the region.

In this guide, you’ll find:

  • Major concerts and tours coming to the South West
  • Standout shows and limited-date runs to book early
  • Regional highlights from Bristol, Bath, Exeter and Plymouth
  • A practical FAQ to help plan your live events calendar

 

Major concerts & live music events in the South West

Death Cab For Cutie - Image

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

I BUILT YOU A TOWER TOUR

When: Wednesday 23rd September 2026 (The Prospect Building, Bristol)

Beloved indie heroes Death Cab For Cutie head to Bristol this September for a standout South West date at The Prospect Building, bringing their rich catalogue of introspective anthems and elegant songwriting.

FIND DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE TICKETS

Kurt Vile & The Violators - Image

KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS

KV’S BEEN GOOD TO ME TOUR 2026

When: Monday 7th September 2026 (The Prospect Building, Bristol)

Kurt Vile & The Violators bring their laid-back grooves, hazy guitar work and unmistakable alt-rock charm to Bristol for a highly anticipated South West show this September, joined by support from Ryan Davis and the Roadhouse Band.

FIND KURT VILE & THE VIOLATORS TICKETS

CURRENT JOYS - Image

CURRENT JOYS

When: Sunday 23rd August 2026 (Electric Bristol)

CURRENT JOYS head to Electric Bristol this August, bringing their raw, melodic indie sound and emotionally charged live show to the South West for one of the season’s standout dates.

FIND CURRENT JOYS TICKETS

Bristol Sounds: Super Furry Animals - Image

BRISTOL SOUNDS: SUPER FURRY ANIMALS

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS GETDOWN SERVICES AND GWENNO

When: Wednesday 24th June 2026 (Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Bristol)

Super Furry Animals join the Bristol Sounds series for a huge summer date at Canons Marsh Amphitheatre - bringing their genre-blurring brilliance and cult catalogue to Bristol’s waterfront.

FIND BRISTOL SOUNDS: SUPER FURRY ANIMALS TICKETS

Jalen Ngonda - Image

JALEN NGONDA

DOCTRINE OF LOVE TOUR

When: Saturday 24th & Tuesday 27th October 2026 (O2 Academy Bristol & O2 Academy Bournemouth)

Fast-rising soul star Jalen Ngonda brings his Doctrine of Love Tour to both Bristol and Bournemouth this October, joined by Brooke Combe to deliver a pair of South West dates packed with timeless songwriting and vintage soul style.

FIND JALEN NGONDA TICKETS

Lewis Capaldi - Image

LEWIS CAPALDI

WITH VERY SPECIAL GUEST JACOB ALON

When: Saturday 27th June 2026 (Powderham Castle, Exeter)

Lewis Capaldi heads to Powderham Castle for a major outdoor South West date this June, bringing his unmistakable voice, huge singalong hits and crowd-winning stage presence to Exeter, with very special guest Jacob Alon.

FIND LEWIS CAPALDI TICKETS

Billie Marten - Image

BILLIE MARTEN

When: Saturday 27th June 2026 (St. Peter’s, Poole)

Billie Marten brings her delicate folk textures, intimate songwriting and beautifully understated live presence to Poole this June for a standout South West performance at St. Peter’s.

FIND BILLIE MARTEN TICKETS

 

More events & musical moments across the South West

Beyond the headline shows, the South West’s live calendar is packed with festivals, theatre, comedy and standout touring productions throughout the year.

Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds - Image

JEFF WAYNE’S MUSICAL VERSION OF THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

LIVE! THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE!

When: Thursday 29th October 2026 (Plymouth Pavilions)

FIND JEFF WAYNE’S MUSICAL VERSION OF THE WAR OF THE WORLDS DATES & TICKETS

Dot To Dot Festival - Image

DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL

NEWDAD, LAMBRINI GIRLS, FCUKERS & MORE

When: Saturday 23rd May 2026 (Various Venues, Bristol)

FIND DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL TICKETS

Discovery Festival - Image

DISCOVERY FESTIVAL

THE LIBERTINES, MAXIMO PARK, FEEDER & MORE

When: Friday 12th – Sunday 14th June 2026 (Plymouth Central Park)

FIND DISCOVERY FESTIVAL TICKETS

Where We Belong Festival - Image

WHERE WE BELONG FESTIVAL

When: Saturday 16th May 2026 (Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Bristol)

FIND WHERE WE BELONG FESTIVAL TICKETS

Bellowhead - Image

BELLOWHEAD

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF BURLESQUE

When: Tuesday 17th & Tuesday 24th November 2026 (Princess Theatre, Torquay & Bath Forum)

FIND BELLOWHEAD TICKETS

BAFTA Games in Concert - Image

BAFTA GAMES IN CONCERT

When: Sunday 31st May 2026 (Bristol Beacon)

FIND BAFTA GAMES IN CONCERT TICKETS

 

Looking for even more events in the South West?

Explore even more concerts, tours and festivals happening across the South West.

See more events in the South West

Live shows, festivals, tours & events

 

Regional highlights — Where to go in the South West

Bristol

Discover live music in Bristol, a powerhouse of the South West’s music scene. From major outdoor shows at Canons Marsh Amphitheatre and headline dates at The Prospect Building to standout gigs at Electric Bristol, Strange Brew, Trinity Centre and Thekla, the city hosts everything from major touring acts to cutting-edge emerging talent.

Bath

Explore live music in Bath, a city where historic surroundings meet a vibrant live events calendar. Catch memorable performances at Bath Forum and Komedia Bath, with a programme that spans folk, rock, comedy and special anniversary tours throughout the year.

Exeter

Experience live music in Exeter, a key South West stop for major outdoor concerts and acclaimed touring artists. From huge summer shows at Powderham Castle to intimate live dates at Exeter Phoenix, the city offers a varied calendar of concerts, festivals and special events.

Plymouth

Find live music in Plymouth, where major festivals and large-scale touring productions sit alongside a busy venue scene. From Discovery Festival in Central Park to landmark shows at Plymouth Pavilions and events around the city, Plymouth remains one of the South West’s standout live destinations.

 


 

BATH |  BRISTOL |  BOURNEMOUTH |  EXETER |  GLOUCESTER |  PLYMOUTH |  SWINDON |  POOLE |  TORQUAY  |  SALISBURY |  FALMOUTH |  FROME |  BRIDPORT

 


Need to know — South West events

 

When do tickets usually go on sale?
Most tickets go on sale shortly after an announcement, often on Friday mornings. Popular shows can sell out quickly, especially in smaller venues and for outdoor summer dates.

Which live music venues should I keep an eye on in the South West?
Key live music venues in the South West include Bristol’s The Prospect Building, Electric Bristol, Strange Brew, Trinity Centre and Thekla, Bath’s Komedia Bath and Bath Forum, Exeter Phoenix and Powderham Castle, Plymouth Pavilions, Bournemouth’s O2 Academy and The Old Fire Station, plus Poole venues such as Lighthouse and St. Peter’s.

Are there festivals in the South West this year?
Yes. The South West hosts a wide range of music festivals and live events throughout the year, including Dot To Dot Festival, Discovery Festival, Where We Belong Festival, Bristol Sounds and BlueTone Festival, alongside a variety of other independent and grassroots events across the region.

 

Ready to explore more live events across the South West?

Discover upcoming gigs, tours and festivals happening across Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Plymouth and beyond.

Browse upcoming events in your area

 
 
Back to top: