TRENDИG RADAR | Dubrek25 Set to Celebrate 25 Years of Derby Grassroots Culture at Dubrek Studios

There are very few independent venues in Derby that have become woven so deeply into the fabric of the city’s creative culture as Dubrek Studios. What started as a rehearsal and recording space has, over the last twenty five years, evolved into something far bigger than a venue. It has become a meeting point for musicians, promoters, artists, filmmakers, photographers, DJs, poets and audiences who all share one thing in common: a belief that grassroots culture matters.

On Saturday 30th May, Dubrek celebrates that journey with Dubrek25, a huge all-day event running from 1pm until late across three separate spaces inside the venue, café and studio. More than just another gig, this feels like a reflection of everything Dubrek has helped build over the last quarter of a century, a community-driven creative hub that has consistently pushed Derby’s underground scene forward while giving countless artists a place to experiment, perform and grow.

At a time when independent venues across the UK continue to face increasing pressure, spaces like Dubrek feel more important than ever. Over the years it has become known not only for hosting live music, but for creating an environment where creativity can genuinely thrive. On any given week the venue might host alternative bands, jazz collectives, electronic nights, spoken word events, rehearsals, workshops or open sessions. The café has become a social meeting point during the day, while the studios upstairs have quietly supported local musicians behind the scenes for years.

That sense of evolution is central to Dubrek25 itself. Rather than simply booking a nostalgia-heavy lineup, the event intentionally bridges generations of Derby’s creative scene. Long established names sit alongside younger artists helping shape the city’s next wave.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dubrek founder Jay Dean described the celebration as something deeply connected to Derby’s history of all-day grassroots gatherings.

“The Dubrek25 event starts at 1pm and will be a late bar,” he explained. “We’ll be using three spaces, the venue, cafe and studio. I may even bring my burger trailer down from Wirksworth and flip some Dubrek Smash Burgers.”

That DIY spirit has always been part of Dubrek’s identity. It has never felt corporate or over-designed. Instead, its appeal comes from authenticity, community and the willingness to give artists space to try things without the pressure that often comes with larger commercial venues.

Jay also spoke about the importance of bringing together artists from different generations and corners of the scene.

“Part Chimp who are headlining are quite simply f**king incredible live and I’m so lucky to have them in a small venue (fortunately they’re old mates). I’ve brought in some exciting newer (younger) local bands and I’ll also be playing in my own psychedelic party band Goddesses.”

Headliners Part Chimp are a fitting choice for the occasion. The legendary London noise rock outfit have built a reputation over the years for colossal live performances fuelled by punishing riffs, distortion and hypnotic intensity. Drawing comparisons to bands like Sonic Youth and Black Sabbath, their appearance at an intimate Derby venue feels like the kind of booking that only a place like Dubrek could pull off.

Alongside them are some of the most exciting artists currently operating in Derby’s grassroots scene. KEZ bring their spoken-word driven punk energy, reflecting the continued rise of Derby’s experimental post-punk scene, while Floral Pattern add a more electronic and club-inspired edge through their genre-blurring jazz sound.

Goddesses, featuring Jay Dean himself, continue Dubrek’s long relationship with psychedelic and alternative music culture, while local alternative rock outfit The Output add further weight to the main venue lineup.

One of the standout additions comes from Porcelain Girl, a band rapidly becoming central figures in Derby’s growing emo and alternative resurgence. Their emotionally charged mix of Midwest emo, pop punk and heavier influences has already helped cultivate a dedicated following in the city, representing exactly the kind of younger grassroots movement that venues like Dubrek have consistently supported.

Away from the main room, the event expands further into Dubrek’s café and studio spaces. DJs including Well Dressed DJ and Jay Dubrek DJ will soundtrack the café area, while Little Canyon will provide live screen printing throughout the day, adding another layer to the event’s creative atmosphere.

The studio stage perhaps best reflects Dubrek’s wider cultural role beyond traditional gig promotion. Jay explained that he specifically focused on highlighting local female artists spanning multiple genres and styles.

That lineup includes East Midlands DJ and producer Lilly Sphire, whose emotionally driven blend of deep house, techno and trance continues to gain attention across the region, alongside Fawn Music, whose intimate folk songwriting brings a completely different energy to the day.

Artists like Krista Ford and Hannah Dennis further reinforce the event’s celebration of the people actively shaping Derby’s current grassroots culture, both on stage and behind the scenes.

Importantly, Dubrek25 is not being framed as a farewell lap or retrospective victory parade. Instead, it feels more like proof that grassroots culture in Derby is still evolving. The city’s creative scene has changed massively over the last twenty five years, but venues like Dubrek have remained vital because they adapted alongside it. What once may have been centred around rehearsal rooms and local rock bands has expanded into a broader cultural ecosystem encompassing electronic music, experimental art, independent media, DIY fashion, alternative club culture and collaborative creative communities.

That wider sense of community is arguably Dubrek’s biggest achievement. Thousands of people in Derby have likely walked through its doors at some point, whether to rehearse, perform, watch a gig, meet friends, grab a coffee or simply feel part of something creative. Many artists who now headline local events or tour nationally first played rooms like this.

For Derby’s grassroots scene, Dubrek25 feels like more than just another lineup announcement. It is a reminder of what independent culture spaces can become when they are genuinely embedded within a city and supported by the communities around them.

With three stages, DJs, screen printing, food, noise rock, emo, folk, electronica and psychedelic chaos all under one roof, this looks set to be one of the most important grassroots celebrations Derby will see this year.

Dubrek25 takes place at Dubrek Studios on Saturday 30th May from 1pm until late. Advance tickets are £15, with £20 entry on the door if available. This is one of those events where turning up early and staying all day feels essential.

Tickets are available via Gigantic Tickets.

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