Emo is back in Derby. Not the polished, radio-friendly version that dominated the mid-2000s, but the raw, twinkly, lo-fi, emotionally…
By K Futur LOCALThere’s a certain energy you only get from a proper late-night party. No daylight creeping in, no distractions, just low ceilings, dark rooms, and a dancefloor locked into a groove that doesn’t let up until the early hours. That’s exactly what BUNKER is bringing back as it launches into 2026-and if you know, you know.
After years of building a reputation as one of Derby’s most consistent and forward-thinking house music brands, BUNKER returns with a clear message: this is going to be their biggest year yet.
And they’re starting exactly how they mean to go on.
Saturday 11th April sees BUNKER take over a brand new space on Sadler Gate, as The Blue Note becomes the setting for a full-scale return to their roots. No more day parties. No compromises. Just late nights, heavy sound systems, and the kind of atmosphere that made people fall in love with underground dance music in the first place.
From the very beginning, BUNKER-led by Ashley Fearn and Guy Shipley-has been about creating moments. Not just booking DJs, but curating nights that feel cohesive, immersive, and genuinely built for the crowd. It’s that attention to detail that has seen them grow from early Derby parties into festival stages at Groovebox and Forbidden Forest, while still keeping their identity grounded in the city.
Now, they’re stripping it back.
This opening party isn’t about gimmicks or overproduction. It’s about the fundamentals: sound, space, and selection.
The Main Room brings together a tight, carefully curated lineup that reflects the BUNKER sound in full. AR38 steps in alongside Guy Shipley, Padraig Killion, Alicea Buttgen, and Raines-a blend of selectors who know exactly how to build and control a room. Expect rolling transitions, deep grooves, and those late-night moments where the bassline does all the talking.
Out on the Terrace, Funkyard takes control of hosting duties, bringing its own flavour to the night. Hemmo, Fulkee, Cutti, Levi, and NoKane will be setting the tone with a more open, groove-led energy-the perfect contrast to the intensity inside, while still keeping everything firmly rooted in house music culture.
Musically, this is one for the heads. Piano house, deep tech, tech house, minimal house-all stitched together with that unmistakable underground feel. It’s not about big drops or obvious moments. It’s about flow. About rhythm. About losing track of time somewhere between 1am and 4am.
And that’s exactly the point.
BUNKER has always understood that the best nights aren’t rushed. They evolve. They build slowly, track by track, until the room is completely locked in. With a 9pm to 4am runtime, this opening party gives them the space to do exactly that.
There’s also something fitting about the location. Sadler Gate has long been a cornerstone of Derby’s nightlife, and bringing BUNKER back into that environment feels like a full-circle moment. A return to the kind of setting where underground music thrives-intimate, packed, and full of character.
If 2026 really is set to be their biggest year ever, then this is the statement of intent.
No shortcuts. No watered-down versions. Just proper raving.
Tickets are already live, and if past BUNKER events are anything to go by, this one won’t hang around for long.
BUNKER 2026 Opening Party
Saturday 11th April
9pm – 4am
The Blue Note, 14a Sadler Gate, Derby
Line-up
Main Room
AR38
Guy Shipley
Padraig Killion
Alicea Buttgen
Raines
Terrace (Hosted by Funkyard)
Hemmo
Fulkee
Cutti
Levi
NoKane
Tickets available now via Skiddle:
https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Derby/The-Blue-Note/bunker-2026-Opening-party/41985800/#tickets
This is how the year starts.
