HUNDREDS of fans packed into the De La Warr Pavilion to help vinyl record store Music’s Not Dead celebrate the fifth anniversary of its tenure at the venue on Bexhill’s seafront.
Four top bands put on a spectacular show, which took place on December 15, encapsulated all that is great about the local music scene.
First up was Borough Council who got proceedings off to a flying start with a hugely impressive 40-minute set.
After a brief hiatus for everyone to catch their breath, it was time for the Office of Personal Development, a band which includes Music’s Not Dead co-founder Del Querns on keyboards, who threw everything but the kitchen sink into their performance, including brightly coloured and huge green balloons, as they played tracks from their forthcoming debut album.
They certainly struck the right notes with the crowd, creating a real party atmosphere ahead of the appearance of the much-loved Aircooled, with fellow co-owner of Music’s Not Dead, Oliver Cherer, giving it his all on lead guitar.
By that stage the place was absolutely buzzing as Oliver and his bandmates produced a performance which will live long in the memory.
Finally, the hotly-tipped Hot Wax kept the crowd on their feet and dancing with an excellent set that brought matters to a close in spectacular style.
It had certainly been a heady experience which both the performers and audience agreed had been a great night of music.
Prior to the gig Del had reflected on the journey Music’s Not Dead had been on since the business first started in Devonshire Road in 2008.
He said: “We have been here in the De La Warr since December 8, 2018 after deciding to move from Devonshire Road.
“Initially we had started the business with just two boxes of vinyl, but we knew the market was there.
“The shop has grown and grown. We have built up a loyal customer base, and we get a lot of regulars who are real vinyl junkies.
“An added bonus is that more and more teenagers are getting into vinyl. They start off with buying music they are familiar with, like Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey, and then they slowly move onto other bands and music. Other people are just re-buying old classic albums.
“We are fortunate to be situated in the most beautiful building on the south coast and try to come up with free live music to keep people interested, while promoting local bands as much as we can.
“I am sure the increasing popularity of vinyl will eventually plateau, but it’s a great platform to listen to music.
“I am worried about the rising cost of vinyl, but they have been going up for many years in price and Brexit hasn’t helped.
“However, on the plus side, I think Bexhill is becoming a record hub. It’s good to have local records shops where you live because it reflects what’s going on locally. If people want records they should come to Bexhill. It is a thriving scene.”
One regular Music’s Not Dead customer and regular gig goer is Simon Smith who should have been awarded a special prize as the most exotically dressed fan at the anniversary gig.
Sporting a hat adorned with feathers, a head scarf and a jacket which could have come straight out of the Wild West, he said: “We all love Bexhill for its music scene and record shops.
“It is great that Music’s Not Dead and second hand vinyl shops such as Records and Retro continue to thrive. Long may it continue.”
