According to Music Venue Trust’s 2024 Annual Report, 125 grassroots venues shut down in the last year alone. That’s an average of two closures a week. On Sat 1 November, Brighton pushes back.
As part of its national Keeping Music Live campaign, WaterBear College of Music is hosting a headline event at the WaterBear Venue, where Knife Bride will lead a high energy night of alternative rock with support from Matted and Five Degrees North. Tickets are just one pound, with all proceeds going to Music Venue Trust.
On the same night, just around the corner, WaterBear will also open its new Music Bar, hosting a separate showcase in collaboration with Brighton-based charity AudioActive, celebrating emerging artists and amplifying underrepresented genres in grassroots music. A surprise special guest, to be announced on the night, will be headlining alongside live performances from SafeNath, Airz and Cash, Lori Asha, Zanotti, Where’s Gulu, Asiedu and WaterBear artist Tia Ice.
Also being recognised on the night is Brighton rapper Lilly Wolfe, winner of the 2025 AudioActive Scholarship. Lilly will begin her BA Songwriting studies at WaterBear this year, supported by a partnership that reflects both organisations’ shared focus on access and long term development. Her work is fast earning a following across the Brighton scene and beyond.
WaterBear Co founder Bruce John Dickinson said, “These venues aren’t just buildings. They’re launchpads. Go to the gig. Buy a ticket. Stand at the front. These places are everything for emerging artists, playing gigs, learning to handle a crowd, and making your name.”
For WaterBear students, this is not just theory. “We’re playing festivals next year, but without smaller venues we’d never have been ready,” said Brad Widdowson of Sheffield based band Sundress. “You learn by doing. You make mistakes. You grow. You can’t skip that part.”
The Knife Bride event directly supports Music Venue Trust, while the AudioActive night focuses on artistic representation and genre inclusion. What links them is WaterBear’s belief that live performance still matters, and that access to the stage is a right not a luxury.
AudioActive has been building that access for over two decades. The charity works across Sussex to support young creatives through mentoring, studio time and live opportunities. Some of its alumni have gone on to major success, but the focus remains local on confidence, identity and expression. From rap to RnB to experimental sounds, the showcase reflects what happens when space is made for new ideas.
Mark Davyd, CEO and Founder of Music Venue Trust, addressed WaterBear graduates earlier this month. “It’s a room. Four walls. A dodgy PA. A sticky floor. A band you’ve never heard of who are about to blow your head off. That’s where everything starts. If you want that ecosystem to be healthy in ten years’ time, you have to build it now.”
A portion of tickets for the Knife Bride show will be distributed through Tickets for Good, supporting access for key workers and people affected by the cost of living crisis. Fightback Lager will also be served, with a portion of profits going to support MVT.
Student Geo Lane described the WaterBear community as a turning point. “There’s such a strong sense of community, which helped me find my roots in drag and burlesque.” Fellow graduate Daisy Coyle spoke about how regular collaboration built her confidence. “It really helped me grow, creating music and singing in front of others. I also had the opportunity to sing live with The 1975’s session band.”
More information at www.waterbear.org.uk and www.audioactive.org.uk