On Saturday 22 November, A Peaceful Noise brings a massive multi-venue takeover to Colchester, spread across ten of the city’s independent spaces. The event is organised by Zoe Alexander in memory of her brother Nick, who lost his life in the 2015 Bataclan attack.

Zoe created the Nick Alexander Music Trust to honour Nick’s passion for live music, helping community groups and small charities access the instruments and equipment they need. Nick spent 15 years travelling the world with bands, building friendships across the industry and championing the power of live shows. The response after his death showed just how many people he connected with.

A Peaceful Noise continues that spirit, raising funds for the Trust and supporting the belief Nick lived by: music should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.

On Saturday, Colchester’s venues throw open their doors for a packed celebration of the scene Nick loved – and a chance for us all to make a difference.

Participating Venues

Best Days Vintage • CODA • Colchester Arts Centre • Queen Street Brewhouse • Roots & Grooves Café • Stone Rock Records • The Minories • The Victoria Inn • Three Wise Monkeys • Twisters Bar

The Line-up

Artificially Yours • Ben Brown • Black Madonnas • Bridget. • CLIP Artists • Conspiracy of Neuz • Dave J Giles • Deux Furieuses • Emilia Slade • Fat Pigeon • False Heads • Frank Turner • Freya Beer • Greg’s TV & Music Quiz • Hoof! • Hobo Chang • Honkus Rompus • Lamplight Club • Lawrence Langmead’s Normality • Live painting by Catalina Carvajal • Lost Movies • Massive Secret Headliner • Non Canon • Nova Twins • Oi Mate! • Oxygen Thief • Pet Needs • SHED • Silver Light Reaction • Slow Husky • The Audacity • The Wicked Ravens • Weird Creature • Wilswood Buoys • X Kaminski

DJs:

Ben Bridges • Ben Howard & DJ Gilly • Conspiracy of Neuz • Father Brian • John Kennedy (Radio X) • Pressplay • Secret Island Festival DJs • Shoesy

Full Timetable by Venue

Best Days Vintage

DJ Shoesy – from 4pm
Dave J Giles – 5pm–5.40pm
SHED – 6pm–6.40pm

CODA

DJ Father Brian – from 3pm
X Kaminski – 3.40pm–4.20pm
Black Madonnas – 4.40pm–5.20pm
Hoof! – 5.40pm–6.20pm
Oi Mate! – 6.40pm–7.20pm
Pet Needs – 7.40pm–8.40pm
False Heads – 9pm–10pm
DJ Pressplay – 10pm–2am

Colchester Arts Centre

DJs Ben Howard & Gilly – from 4.45pm
Lamplight Club – 5pm–5.40pm
Slow Husky – 6pm–6.40pm
Hobo Chang – 7pm–7.40pm
Bridget. – 8pm–8.40pm
Nova Twins – 9.20pm–10.20pm

Queen Street Brewhouse

Emilia Slade – 6.40pm–7.20pm
Oxygen Thief – 7.40pm–8.20pm
Wilswood Buoys – 8.40pm–9.40pm
Honkus Rompus – 10pm–11pm

Roots & Grooves Café

Lawrence Langmead’s Normality – 6.20pm–6.40pm
Secret Island Festival Takeover – 7pm–11pm

Stone Rock Records

Artists from CLIP – 12pm–4pm

The Minories

Live painting by Catalina Carvajal – from 4pm
Non Canon – 5pm–5.40pm
TBC – 6pm–6.40pm
Ben Brown – 7pm–7.40pm

The Victoria Inn

Greg’s TV & Music Quiz – 1pm–3pm
Weird Creature – 3.20pm–4pm
Artificially Yours – 4.20pm–5pm
Lost Movies – 5.20pm–6pm
Fat Pigeon – 6.20pm–7pm

Three Wise Monkeys

DJ John Kennedy – 1pm–3pm
DJ Pressplay – 3pm–7pm
Freya Beer – 3pm–3.40pm
Wicked Ravens – 4pm–4.40pm
Silver Light Reaction – 5pm–5.40pm
Massive Secret Headliner – 6pm–6.40pm
Frank Turner – 7pm–8pm
The Audacity – 8.20pm–9pm
Deux Furieuses – 9.20pm–10pm

Twisters Bar

Conspiracy of Neuz – 7pm–9pm
DJ Ben Bridges (Indie Disco) – 9pm–12am

A Peaceful Noise will allow Colchester to show what it does best: great music, packed venues and real community spirit. Every wristband helps the Nick Alexander Music Trust support people who need music the most. Get involved, Colchester, you won’t want to miss this.

Essential Information

• 18+ only
• Wristbands required. Buy yours here
• First-come, first-served entry at all venues