Everywhere At Once Festival 2026: Derby’s Grassroots Music Scene Shines at Dubrek Studios

When Glastonbury takes a fallow year, the UK music calendar inevitably feels a little different. Rather than leaving a void, however, the Everywhere At Once Festival 2026 transformed the final weekend of June into a nationwide celebration of the venues and artists that keep British music alive every single week.

Running from 26th to 28th June 2026, Everywhere At Once wasn’t held in a field. It wasn’t centred around one headline stage or one postcode. Instead, it took place simultaneously in more than 400 grassroots music venues across the UK, with over 2,000 artists performing from Falmouth to Aberdeen and Inverness to Penzance. Organised by the Music Venue Trust, powered by The National Lottery, and delivered alongside Save Our Scene and the Association of Independent Promoters, it proved that some of the biggest weekends in music don’t always happen behind festival fences.

While major names including Fatboy Slim, Becky Hill, Tinie Tempah, Rizzle Kicks, The Lathums, The Divine Comedy, D Double E and Jodie Harsh performed intimate underplay shows across the country, the real heart of the weekend remained exactly where it should be- inside the UK’s independent venues, supporting the next generation of artists.

In Derby, that spotlight fell on Dubrek Studios, with two sold-out feeling days that couldn’t have been more different musically, yet perfectly captured everything Everywhere At Once was designed to celebrate.

Saturday 27th June: Folk, Atmosphere and Beautiful Storytelling

Walking into Dubrek Studios on the Saturday, it was immediately obvious that people had come to discover something new. The venue was packed, proving exactly why festivals like Everywhere At Once matter. Grassroots venues only survive if people continue walking through the door, and Derby certainly turned up.

The evening leaned heavily towards experimental folk and atmospheric music, beginning with Ancient Hostility.

Beautiful vocal harmonies floated around the room, accompanied by the warm tones of violin that instantly drew everyone in. There was something incredibly honest about their performance. It wasn’t flashy or over-produced; it simply let the songwriting breathe, creating moments that felt intimate despite the packed venue.

Next came Hawthonn, whose atmospheric soundscapes transformed Dubrek into something altogether different. Layer upon layer of textured instrumentation built an immersive performance that rewarded careful listening. Rather than demanding attention, Hawthonn gently pulled the audience into their world.

Closing the evening was Manchester’s Jim Ghedi, and what a performer he is.

Blending mythology, Celtic influences and traditional folk into something that feels refreshingly modern, Ghedi demonstrated exactly why he has become one of the UK’s most respected contemporary folk artists. Between songs he kept the audience laughing with relaxed, self-deprecating humour before launching back into beautifully crafted compositions that had feet tapping throughout the room.

He somehow manages to make Celtic folk feel effortlessly cool without losing any of its authenticity, and judging by the reception inside Dubrek Studios, Derby agreed.

Sunday 28th June: Punk Energy, Indie Hooks and Huge Choruses

If Saturday belonged to folk, Sunday belonged to guitars.

Once again Dubrek Studios filled with music lovers, this time for a bill curated alongside OffAxis Mgmt, bringing together indie, punk, grunge and alternative rock.

Opening proceedings were Step Out, a young indie punk outfit bursting with confidence. Their songs already feel well beyond their years, backed up by energetic stage presence that immediately engaged the crowd. They’re clearly a band growing quickly and one worth keeping an eye on.

Next came Joel Foster, joined by a full band that elevated his already impressive songwriting into something much bigger.

One moment the performance leaned into polished piano-led pop rock, the next it exploded into heavier guitar sections before drifting into sleazy rock influences. His vocal range was exceptional throughout, comfortably hitting soaring high notes while maintaining complete control. A brilliant cover of Paramore only added to the atmosphere, with the audience singing along from start to finish.

Headlining the weekend in Derby were Eighty Eight Miles, and they absolutely delivered.

From the moment the band walked onto stage wearing matching sunglasses, there was an unmistakable confidence about them. They looked every bit the headliners and quickly proved they had the songs to back it up.

Their frontwoman possesses a voice that’s both sultry and powerful, effortlessly moving between delicate verses and huge choruses. Backed by a tight band and polished musicianship, they kept the audience singing and clapping throughout the set.

When they launched into “Sophie,” the room erupted, with one of the biggest reactions of the weekend.

Between songs they spoke about recently travelling to London to record a stripped-back session for Radio X, giving the audience a glimpse into how quickly things appear to be gathering momentum for the band.

For the final song, the frontwoman stepped down into the audience, singing amongst the crowd and creating one of those moments that only ever seems to happen inside smaller venues. It perfectly captured why grassroots gigs are so special. There are no barriers between artist and audience, just shared moments that become lasting memories.

As if that wasn’t enough, the crowd even persuaded the band into a spontaneous chorus of Sweet Caroline, bringing an already electric set to an unforgettable close.

It was an outstanding headline performance.

Why Everywhere At Once Matters

Everywhere At Once wasn’t simply another music festival.

It was a reminder that the UK’s music industry doesn’t begin at arenas or stadiums. It begins in rooms like Dubrek Studios. It begins with independent promoters willing to take risks, volunteers working behind the scenes, venue owners keeping the lights on, and audiences choosing to spend their weekends discovering artists they’ve never heard before.

Without grassroots venues, there are no festival headliners.

Every band we now consider iconic once played to tiny crowds in venues exactly like these. Somewhere along the way, somebody bought a ticket, bought a T-shirt, told their friends, shared their music and helped build a career.

That’s exactly what weekends like Everywhere At Once encourage.

Go to the small venues.

Dance to the band you’ve never heard of.

Buy the T-shirt.

Pick up the vinyl.

Tell your mates.

Because years from now, you might just find yourself telling people you saw the next generation before anyone else knew who they were.

Just like those lucky enough to say they watched Nirvana play two songs in a record shop.

Everywhere At Once celebrated the UK’s grassroots music community over one incredible weekend, but its message should last all year. Independent venues need support every week, not just during a national festival.

Derby played its part brilliantly, and Dubrek Studios showed once again why it remains one of the East Midlands’ most important homes for live music.

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