What’s On in the South West 2026: Live Music, Concerts & Events
Posted on Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 18:00
Written by
Will Rabjohns
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
JALEN NGONDA
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.
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.
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.
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
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
NEWDAD, LAMBRINI GIRLS, FCUKERS & MORE
When: Saturday 23rd May 2026 (Various Venues, Bristol)
DISCOVERY FESTIVAL
THE LIBERTINES, MAXIMO PARK, FEEDER & MORE
When: Friday 12th – Sunday 14th June 2026 (Plymouth Central Park)
WHERE WE BELONG FESTIVAL
When: Saturday 16th May 2026 (Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Bristol)
BELLOWHEAD
When: Tuesday 17th & Tuesday 24th November 2026 (Princess Theatre, Torquay & Bath Forum)
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
- Cowboy Junkies — Tuesday 28th & Wednesday 29th April 2026 (Komedia Bath)
- Turin Brakes — Thursday 7th & Friday 8th May 2026 (The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth & Exeter Phoenix)
- Skinshape — Saturday 16th May 2026 (Theatre at Lighthouse Poole)
- Max Cooper — Sunday 17th May 2026 (Concert Hall at Lighthouse Poole)
- Example — Sunday 17th & Wednesday 20th May 2026 (O2 Academy, Bournemouth & O2 Academy, Bristol)
- Seth Lakeman - Freedom Fields 20th Anniversary Tour — 20th May – 12th October 2026 (Multiple Locations)
- Peat & Diesel — Friday 22nd May 2026 (Komedia, Bath)
- BlueTone Festival 2026 — Thursday 28th May 2026 (Vivary Park, Taunton)
- Ichika Nito - Where I Begin — Wednesday 3rd June 2026 (St. Georges, Bristol)
- PLYMSTOCK FESTIVAL 2026 — Friday 12th June 2026 (Langdon Barton Farm)
- Bristol Sounds: The Kooks — Tuesday 23rd June 2026 (Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Bristol)
- Teddy Swims performing with Freak Freely — Thursday 25th June 2026 (Powderham Castle, Exeter)
- Alanis Morissette — Friday 26th June 2026 (Powderham Castle, Exeter)
- Bristol Sounds: Royel Otis — Sunday 28th June 2026 (Canons Marsh Amphitheatre, Bristol)
- Hannah Cohen — Thursday 20th August 2026 (Strange Brew, Bristol)
- Dance Gavin Dance — Friday 11th September 2026 (The Prospect Building, Bristol)
- The Dualers — Friday 18th September 2026 (Crane - The Prospect Building, Bristol)
- Lime Garden — Friday 2nd October 2026 (Electric, Bristol)
- Robert Jon & The Wreck — Tuesday 6th October 2026 (Trinity Centre, Bristol)
- Steve Hackett - Best of Genesis & Solo Gems — Tuesday 6th & Saturday 10th October 2026 (Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth & Princess Theatre, Torquay)
- Toby Lee — Thursday 8th & Saturday 24th October 2026 (Thekla, Bristol & St. Peter’s, Poole)
- Don Broco — Wednesday 14th October 2026 (The Prospect Building, Bristol)
- The Skints — Friday 16th October 2026 (Electric Bristol)
- Hayseed Dixie — Tuesday 20th October 2026 (Komedia Bath)
- The Devil Wears Prada — Tuesday 20th October 2026 (Electric Bristol)
- Chameleons — Thursday 22nd October 2026 (The Prospect Building, Bristol)
- Starsailor — Thursday 22nd October 2026 (Concert Hall at Lighthouse Poole)
- Huey Morgan, The Fun Lovin’ Criminal: 2026 Autumn Tour — Wednesday 28th & Thursday 29th October 2026 (Exeter Phoenix & Electric, Bristol)
- Temples — Monday 9th November 2026 (Strange Brew, Bristol)
- Kid Kapichi — Friday 13th November 2026 (Princess Pavilion, Falmouth)
- Tony Hadley — 7th November – 3rd December 2026 (Multiple Locations)
- Mother Vulture — Friday 18th December 2026 (Trinity Centre, Bristol)
- The Fratellis - Celebrating 20 years of Costello Music — Thursday 4th March 2027 (The Prospect Building, Bristol)
- The Dubliners Encore — 3rd – 16th March 2027 (Multiple Locations)
- Ritual Union — Saturday 20th March 2027 (Various Venues, Bristol)
- Clubland Live — Saturday 16th May 2026 (County Ground, Swindon)
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.













