It was my first time inside The Bodega, and it didn’t take long to clock what kind of venue this…
By K Futur MusicSaturday 8 November in Derbyshire felt alive again as Valley One returned to Shirland Miners Welfare for a free gig that packed the venue with around 300 people. What unfolded was exactly what you want from a proper local indie night – loud voices, louder guitars and a room full of people who clearly had no intention of standing still.
From the moment the band stepped on stage, the atmosphere was electric. Chanting, clapping and full-throated singalongs filled the room, turning the Welfare into a sea of raised pints and smiling faces. A huge nod goes to Lee Hadson, whose lighting and sound work gave the night the punch and polish of a ticketed show, despite it being completely free to attend.
Valley One leaned hard into the classics, firing out indie staples that never fail to unite a crowd. Oasis favourites Live Forever and Don’t Look Back in Anger were roared back at the band with the kind of energy usually reserved for festival tents, while Naive by The Kooks proved another sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Every chorus felt like the entire room lifted a little higher.
It was a proper Derbyshire night out – community-driven, full of heart, and powered by the kind of indie soundtrack that keeps local music scenes thriving. A brilliant turnout, a brilliant band and a brilliant atmosphere throughout.
If Saturday is anything to go by, the next Valley One gig can’t come soon enough.
