This is a list of notable music groups, musicians and singers from, and associated with, the English city of Bristol and its surrounding areas (including North Somerset, Bath & North East Somerset, Western Wiltshire, and South Gloucestershire).

A Airbus: Rock band (1987–2002), formed by Nick Davidge, James Childs, Chris Fielden and Simon Hedges. They released three LPs, but their most notable recording was "Airbus Reconstructed" on the B-side of Portishead's "Sour Times" single. Rodney Allen: Guitarist and songwriter. Released the Happysad LP on The Subway Organization in 1987, and after a brief spell in The Chesterfields joined The Blue Aeroplanes. Lauren Aquilina: Singer / songwriter and pianist born in Bristol who had three self-funded hit singles between 2012 and 2014. Now signed to Island Records, she released her debut album Isn't It Strange in 2016. As well as composing her own material she has also co-written more than 30 songs for other artists including Gabrielle Aplin, Tom Grennan, Rina Sawayama, Louise and Netsky. Art Objects: New Wave "Art band" (1978–1981). Fronted by Bristol Beat Poet Gerard Langley, brother John Langley on drums, dancer Wojtek Dmochowski (all later of The Blue Aeroplanes), plus bassist Bill Stair and guitarists/brothers Jonjo and Robin Key. They released two singles, and the album 'Bagpipe Music' on local label Heartbeat Records. Aspects: Hip Hop group (1996–present). The outfit's core members are emcees El Eye and Mantis, producer Specify and beatbox Monkey Moo.

B Bananarama, 1980s all-female group. Geoff Barrow: Producer, songwriter and instrumentalist (born 1971). Founder member of Portishead. In 1991, he assisted on the recording of Massive Attack's breakthrough album Blue Lines. Acker Bilk: Clarinetist and songwriter (1929–2014). Best known for his 1961 UK hit single "Stranger on the Shore", which also became the first British recording to reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. Black Roots: A roots reggae band from the St. Paul's area of Bristol, formed in 1979. Their first (self-titled) album was released on their own Nubian label, and the band was commissioned by the BBC to write and record the theme song to the sitcom The Front Line. They released several other albums before they stopped touring in 1990 and officially disbanded in 1995. The Blue Aeroplanes: Art rock guitar band (1983–present). The band became the official owners of The Fleece live music venue in May 2010 after bassist Chris Sharp purchased the lease. Beki Bondage: Rebecca Louise Bond, singer and musician (born 1963). Came to prominence as a member of Bristol Punk Band Vice Squad. Breakbeat Era: Short-lived British project, that combined the breakbeat talent of drum and bass producers, Roni Size and DJ Die, with the vocals of singer Leonie Laws. The Brilliant Corners: Indie band that encompassed a variety of musical styles over its lifetime (1983–1993). They released a series of albums and singles, including one for the charity Mencap, called Brian Rix. Subsequently, Davey Woodward and Chris Galvin formed the Experimental Pop Band in 1995. Bronnt Industries Kapital: Musical project based around producer and multi-instrumentalist Guy Bartell. They have released three studio albums, 'Virtute et Industria', 'Häxan' and 'Hard for Justice'. Angelo Bruschini: Rock guitarist who has been a member of The Numbers, The Rimshots, The Blue Aeroplanes, and now Massive Attack. He produced Strangelove's eponymous album in 1997. He also played guitar on Jane Taylors' award-winning single "Blowing This Candle Out" in 2003. Danny Byrd: Drum and Bass DJ, producer and musician from Bath. His first record release was in 1998, a 12" single entitled 'Manhattan'. Pete Byrne: Songwriter and singer (born 1954, Bath, Somerset). Originally part of the short-lived group Neon with Rob Fisher. Both went on to form the pop duo Naked Eyes, and had a hit record with their cover version of "Always Something There to Remind Me".

C Carlton: Soul and dance singer. Cauda Pavonis: Death rock, dark wave, gothic rock band, formed around the core duo of husband and wife team Su and David Wainwright. 1989–present. Have issued six full-length albums and numerous EPs and singles. Chaos UK: Hardcore punk band (1979–present). Originally signed to Riot City Records, they have toured the world and released numerous albums and singles. Chaotic Dischord: Punk band (1981–1988). Initially formed as a joke, by members of Vice Squad and their road crew, to prove a point to Simon Edwards of Riot City Records. They subsequently went on to be one of the label's best-selling acts. The Chesterfields: Indie pop band from Yeovil, Somerset (1984–1989). They garnered Indie Chart Hits for their singles and albums on Bristols' The Subway Organization label, as well as their own Household label. Chikinki: Funk band that evolved into electro-pop (1996–present). Originally signed to Bristol label Sink and Stove Records who released their debut album Experiment with Mother; they then joined Island Records but were later dropped. Gary Clail: Rap singer and producer. Part of On-U Sound Records and led Gary Clail's Tackhead Sound System. His 1991 single "Human Nature", released as Gary Clail On-U Sound System, reached No. 10 on the UK chart. Claytown Troupe: An alternative rock band from Bristol, Bath, and Weston-super-Mare, England. (1984–1993, 2004–present). Formed by lead singer Christian Riou. They have produced albums for Island Records and EMI. Climie Fisher: Pop duo (1987–1990), formed by former Naked Eyes keyboardist Rob Fisher and vocalist Simon Climie. They are best known for the 1987/88 hit singles "Love Changes (Everything)" and the hip hop-styled remix of "Rise to the Occasion".

Russ Conway: Pianist and composer (1925–2000). He had a cumulative total of 83 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1959, including two number one records – "Side Saddle" and "Roulette". He appeared as himself in French and Saunders' 1994 Christmas special, playing "Side Saddle" in their spoof of The Piano. Roger Cook: singer and songwriter (born 1940, Fishponds, Bristol). Has written many hits, usually with his writing partner Roger Greenaway, for themselves and other recording artists. Was a member of the Kestrels, David and Jonathan and Blue Mink. The Cortinas: Originally started as a R&B band, but is more famous for its punk and new wave incarnations (1976–1978). Featured bassist Dexter Dalwood, guitarists Mike Fewings, drummer Daniel Swan (Sneetches) and future Clash member Nick Sheppard. They split up in the same year that they released, on CBS, their only album, True Romances. The Cougars: Rock instrumental group (1961–1964). They had a modest UK hit in 1963 with the single "Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond", which was based on a small section of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, and was consequently banned by the BBC. Crescent: Alternative band whose music is described as slow, minimalistic and melancholy (early 1990s onwards). Has members in common with Movietone. Adge Cutler: Alan John Cutler Scrumpy and Western singer and songwriter (1930–1974). Originator of the description Scrumpy and Western music, and founder of the Wurzels in 1966. Best known for his minor UK hit single in 1967 (and unofficial West Country Anthem), "Drink Up Thy Cider".

D Daddy G: Grantley Evan Marshall (Daddy G) DJ and singer (born 1959). Former member of The Wild Bunch and founding member of the band Massive Attack in 1988. David and Jonathan: Name used by Bristolian pop duo Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook after The Kestrels. They wrote the songs "This Golden Ring" and "You've Got Your Troubles" for the group The Fortunes. In 1966 they teamed up with George Martin and did a cover of The Beatles' "Michelle", which was a hit single in both the UK and the US. Robert Del Naja: Also known as 3D or "D". Artist, vocalist and musician (born 1965). Originally a graffiti artist and a member of The Wild Bunch, Del Naja went on to become a founding member of the band Massive Attack. DJ Die: Daniel Kausman, formed a partnership with Jody Wisternoff (who later formed Way Out West with Nick Warren). He was a core member of Reprazent and later in 1998 became one third of Breakbeat Era. Disorder: Hardcore Punk band (1980–present). Bass guitarist Phil Lovering (of The X-Certs) joined the ever-changing line up in 1982 and has remained the only constant member since then. Their own label Disorder Records was an offshoot of Heartbeat Records. Dragons: Indie rock band (2005–present). Formed by singer Anthony Tombling Jr and drummer David Francolini, the band also includes Adam Coombs (synthesizer), Calvin Talbot (guitar), Will Crewdson (guitar) and Jim Fage (bass). Their debut album 'Here are the Roses' was released in 2007. Patrick Duff : lead singer with Strangelove and now solo artist who was born on the top floor of a house in Redland

E The Eagles: Instrumental rock band (1958–1964) formed at the Eagles House Club in Bristol. In 1962 Ron Grainer (composer of the Doctor Who theme) had them contribute to the soundtrack of his film 'Some People', about a fictional Bristol band not unlike themselves. Earthling trip hop band (1990s). They produced several singles, 12"s and two albums (the first album, 1995's 'Radar' had scratching and guitar by Geoff Barrow of Portishead, and the second 'Humandust' was (released in 2004 after they had split). East of Eden, a progressive rock band formed in 1967. Elder Island: an indie electronica band formed in the early 2010s under the name Trouvaille. Their self-titled debut was released in 2014 and their first full-length project, The Omnitone Collection, in 2019. As of July 2024, they have released four EPs, two full-length albums, and two remix albums. Electric Guitars: Esoteric pop/funk band (1979–1983). After initially recording singles for local labels (Fried Egg Records and Recreational Records) and contributing live tracks to the first edition of The Bristol Recorder, the band was signed to Stiff Records. They released in total five singles and two post break-up albums (one download only). Manny Elias: Drummer and songwriter (born 1953 in Calcutta, India). Originally a member of the pop/rock band Interview from Bath, in 1982 he began working with Tears for Fears on the albums The Hurting and Songs From The Big Chair, and has co-writing credits on "The Way You Are" and "The Working Hour". He left Tears for Fears in 1986, and has provided percussion on albums for such artists as Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill and Julian Lennon. Matt Elliott: Guitarist and singer playing dark folk music, also producer and remixer. Until 2001 he produced and recorded under the name The Third Eye Foundation. Rob Ellis: Robert Damian Ellis (born 1962) is a rock drummer, producer, and arranger. He is best known for his work with PJ Harvey, with whom he has been most closely associated as producer, arranger and musician since 1990. The Escape: Post Punk-Goth band (1981–1984) formed by Alan Griffiths & Emil from Apartment with bassist Stuart Morgan. Released one single on their own Volatile Records label. In 1983 signed to Phonogram Records / Mercury Records and released two singles. A live album 'Live in 1982' (compiled and with liner notes by Dave Massey - see above) has been released on CD and online via bristolarchiverecords.com in the summer / autumn of 2018.

Europeans: New wave band (1977–1979). Their self-titled single 'Europeans' was the second release on Heartbeat Records. Jon Klein, guitarist, went on to form Specimen and later played with Siouxie & the Banshees.

F Rob Fisher: Rob Fisher (1956–1999) was a British keyboardist and songwriter from Cheltenham. His early bands included The Xtians and Whitewing, and in 1979 he joined up with Pete Byrne in Bath to form Neon. He achieved chart success in the UK, Europe and North America as a member of Naked Eyes (again with Pete Byrne), and later Climie Fisher (with Simon Climie).