Brighton’s grassroots music scene gets a powerful new ally this July with the launch of WaterBear Music Bar – a brand new venue from WaterBear – The College of Music, opening its doors on Wednesday July 16 at 14–17 Manchester Street. Entry to the launch event is free, with live music from 7 to 11pm.
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The bar is housed in a space rich with musical heritage, having previously hosted iconic acts such as Amy Winehouse, The Kooks, and Chris Difford. Now, WaterBear breathes new life into the venue as its second live space in the city – a move aimed at embedding students and emerging artists directly into Brighton’s vibrant gig circuit.
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The launch night features performances from four standout acts:
Congratulations – A four-piece known for their chaotic, break-beat-fuelled noise-pop and colour-synced stage presence, drawing comparisons to Jockstrap and Pom Poko.
Sametime – Australian brothers Sam and Tim Aitken, now Brighton-based WaterBear alumni, with a polished pop sound and a growing UK fanbase after sold-out shows and a Sony publishing deal.
Dirtsharks – An alt-rock powerhouse featuring another WaterBear graduate, known for violin-infused, reverb-heavy live sets praised at Boardmasters and The Great Escape.
Tia Ice – A neo-soul vocalist and current WaterBear student, blending poetic songwriting with a rich, expressive voice in intimate, emotionally-charged performances.
The new venue includes a basement live room and a cosy ground floor bar with its own performance space. Alongside public gigs, it will host student showcases, touring acts, talks, club nights, and events tied to WaterBear’s educational programme.
The opening comes at a critical moment for UK grassroots venues. According to the Music Venue Trust, an average of two venues are closing each week, with over 120 shut down in the past year alone. In response, WaterBear is actively supporting the Keeping Music Live campaign, launched in partnership with the Music Venue Trust to highlight the importance of small venues and promote direct action.
As part of this commitment, the bar will serve Fightback Lager, with a portion of each pint going directly to the Music Venue Trust’s national fund for saving independent venues.
Sam Rushton, Events and Careers Coordinator at WaterBear said: “We’re thrilled to announce the opening of WaterBear Music Bar. This is a building with serious history. We’re proud to continue that story, creating a space for gigs, talks, club nights and more.”
WaterBear co-founder Bruce Dickinson added:: “It’s incredible to think that we now have two live music venues in the city. These are the places where the magic happens, where artists grow and careers take shape. Through the Keeping Music Live campaign, we’re urging people, especially young people, to support their local music venues and keep this vital part of British culture alive.”
Despite record demand for live music in the UK, with 19.2 million concertgoers in 2023, venues continue to struggle with rising costs, redevelopment, and the long tail of the pandemic. WaterBear is taking an active role in tackling this crisis by integrating performance opportunities into its curriculum, with student gigs already happening in Sheffield and a national tour planned for October 2025 featuring WaterBear students alongside established headliners.
As the first event in this next chapter, Wednesday July 16 promises not just a celebration of Brighton’s musical legacy, but a step forward in securing its future.
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Address: 14–17 Manchester Street, Kemptown, BN2 1TF
