“. . . an optimistic mind-set finds dozens of possible solutions for every problem that the pessimist regards as incurable.” – Robert Anton Wilson, Cosmic Trigger I: Final Secret of the Illuminati
– 45 Birmingham and Midlands artists and DJs launch Dead Wax Digbeth from Thursday 28th November
– Venue will be home to a collection of 4000 records, operating an ‘all vinyl, all the time’ policy
– Music fans invited to play the venue’s records or bring own vinyl to play at city’s newest music destination
– Craft beers from Beavertown, Laine Brew Co. and local breweries on offer all year round
Dead Wax Digbeth
28 Adderley St, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4ED
www.deadwaxdigbeth.pub | @DeadWaxDigbeth
A new Birmingham venue and ‘vinyl bar’ will open its doors to music fans this weekend with a huge four-day launch featuring 45 bands, musicians, artists and DJs from across Birmingham and the Midlands.
Dead Wax Digbeth hosts a series of specially curated free events running across its three spaces from Thursday 28 November to Sunday 1 December – including two all-dayers, late-night DJ sets, rare live performances and acoustic sets.
Some of Birmingham’s hottest live acts, including Swampmeat Family Band, Brain Food, Violet, RISCAS, The Empty Page and Wax Futures will take to the stages at the 120/230/100-capacity multi-room venue, formerly punk, rock, metal and alternative haunt The Wagon & Horses in the city’s creative quarter of Digbeth.
Fully transformed by Brighton’s Laine Pub Co, Dead Wax Digbeth features a renovated and expanded building incorporating live music spaces both upstairs (120 capacity) and outside in the ‘Duck Bath’ yard (230 capacity).
The main bar area (100 capacity) will present a craft beer offering from Beavertown and Laine Brew Co. alongside guest draft lines from local breweries including Dig Brew Co, plus a Dead Wax Pizza menu with fresh carnivore, vegetarian and vegan choices overseen by city food tastemaker Anthony Duffy.
Music fans and vinyl lovers will be encouraged to choose and play albums and singles from the bar’s large 4000 record collection as well as enjoy vinyl-only sets from a diverse line-up of DJs in a bright and vibrant setting in the heart of Digbeth designed and created by local artists.
A mural, curated by in-demand street artist Gent48 featuring influential Birmingham bands, musicians and DJs including Big Bear Records, Birmingham Promoters, Catapult Club, Chicks Dig Jerks, ColdRice, Die Das Der, Distorted Tapes, Iron Man Records, Punch Records, This Is Tmrw, and Sweat amongst others will complete the visual identity for this latest addition to the city’s live music landscape.
The launch comes as good news in light of a number of concerns around Birmingham’s music and pub mainstays with city-centre venues including The Flapper, Scruffy Murphy’s and the Eagle and Tun all under threat from closure due to redevelopment.
Leading city live music bookers Birmingham Promoters, KILLER WAVE, Sonic Gun, and DIE DAS DER have all leant their industry expertise and support to the new venture, managed by former Sunflower Lounge boss and recording artist Ben Drummond.
Speaking ahead of the opening, Drummond said, “Its an incredibly challenging time for venues and bars in the city and across the UK so we’re doubly thrilled to be bringing Dead Wax Digbeth to life this week with a team that has worked very hard to create a very special offering. We’re hugely grateful to all of the local creatives who’ve helped us put together a full and exciting launch weekend programme and we look forward to contributing to the city’s cultural fabric, live music offering and UK touring map over the coming months and years.”
“We need more positive thinking and especially well researched, well thought out, positive thinking. Running a Music Venue is not an easy task. Doing it yourself and taking risks is easy, but doing it properly and maintaining a music venue will be tough. By the looks of what I’ve seen so far, Dead Wax Digbeth stands a good chance of doing it properly and music and art will be stronger for it. Anyone who makes an effort to champion Live Music and Music on Vinyl gets my full support. I’m looking forward to seeing the place for myself. Music brings us all together. Here’s to hoping for a brighter future.” – Mark, Iron Man Records
20 DJs from a number of well-known city music brands will take part in the opening weekend, including Cherry Bomb, Distorted Tapes, Kaleidoscope, Night Owl, Sweat Club, and Takin’ Care of Business, whilst the live billing boasts 25 live acts drawn from Birmingham and the Midlands’ flourishing indie, psych, art-rock, acoustic, rhythm and blues, heavy, punk, soul, math and pop scenes.
Dead Wax Digbeth launch weekend listings
Dead Wax Digbeth Opening Night Party
1700 – 0300 Thursday 28 November 2019
Free
Main venue performances (1800 onwards) from:
Swampmeat Family Band
The Good Water
Main bar vinyl DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:
Richard March (Bentley Rhythm Ace, Pop Will Eat Itself) & Daniel Finnemore – DJ set
Cheese Dip (Sweat Club)
Joel Webster (Killer Wave, PNKSLM Recordings)
Duck Bath outdoor stage DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:
Cherry Bomb (Elizabeth Ilsley & Jonny Murphy)
Carlton Wainwright (Takin’ Care Of Business)
Killer Wave present Dead Wax Digbeth launch Friday
1800 – 0300 Friday 29 November 2019
Free
Main venue performances (1800 onwards) from:
Cherry Pickles
Witch Fever
Brain Food
The Devil & Saint Joseph
Elephant Peel
Main bar vinyl DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:
Selextorhood
‘T-Bird’ Thomas Jones (Takin’ Care Of Business)
Mazzy Maryam Snape (The Night Owl)
Duck Bath outdoor stage DJ sets (1800 onwards) from:
Dizcoh
Sonic Gun
Saturday Dead Wax Digbeth Launch Alldayer
1200 – 0300 Saturday 30 November 2019
Free
Main venue performances (1700 onwards) from
Violet
RISCAS (DJ set)
George Pannell
Alex Ohm
Faux Palms
Boat To Row
Cheap Thrills (DJ set)
Duck Bath outdoor stage DJ (1300 onwards) and live performances (1400 onwards) from
Paid in Full (DJ Wayne Lango)
Issy Holmes
Louise Woodley
Jen North
Paper Buoys (acoustic set)
Alex Lleo
Midge
Esther Turner
Vinyl-only DJ sets in main bar (1200 onwards) from:
Weird Wax
Kaleidoscope
I Dig Your Wig (Dan Finnemore)
Randy Billings (The International Submarine Club)
DIE DAS DER present a Dead Wax Digbeth launch event
1500-2200 Sunday 1 December 2019
Free
Main venue performances (1500 onwards) from:
The Empty Page
WAX FUTURES
Exotic Pets
Modern Literature
SUE
Liars at the Witch Trial
Main bar DJ sets (1500 onwards) from:
Distorted Tapes
Ollie/NC
Birmingham Promoters
Birmingham Promoters are an independent live music, events and gigs promotions company based in Digbeth, Birmingham. They have hosted a diverse array of artists including Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard, Jake Bugg, Editors, Bastille, Peace, GZA (Wu-Tang Clan), Skepta, Tinie Tempa, Royal Blood, Gabrielle Aplin, Tom Odell, The Staves, Nick Mulvey, The Fall, Metronomy, Sam Fender and much more.
KILLER WAVE
Killer Wave has been putting on gigs and parties for seven years, pushing their brand of garage rock and psychedelia on stereos and promoting local, UK and worldwide live acts such as Black Lips, Shame, Sunflower Bean, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard to local favourites Black Mekon, Swampmeat, Mighty Young etc, working closely with PNKSLM records pushing parties all over the world.
DIE DAS DER
DIE DAS DER is a community of like-minded musicians, artists, bloggers, photographers, film-makers and journalists. They curate and organise events and aim to highlight Birmingham’s thriving underground music scene; assisting acts with exposure and encouraging mutual promotion, resource sharing and networking.
Laine Pub Co
Founded 23 years ago, with a single pub in Brighton, Laine Pub Co has grown to become one of the most innovative pub companies in the UK. With over 60 pubs in Brighton, London and Birmingham including some of the most creative experiential pub offerings in the industry, ranging from retro gaming to escape rooms, virtual reality, circus acts and immersive theatre, Laine is now at the forefront of the UK’s leisure sector. Taking its inspiration from the vibrant pub and beer scene in the city of Brighton and Hove, Laine Brew Co creates beer imbued with flavour, experimentation and good times. Its beers are unpasteurised and uncompromising, meaning more flavour and more love. With a focus on consistent, sessionable beers, 2×3 supported with market-leading design and POS, Laine creates highly individual and authentic craft beer which is accessible to all.
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