With its iconic venues and outstanding festivals, Brighton has one of the richest music scenes in the UK. However, the current situation means it cannot be taken for granted. Every music venue has been closed since March and many will struggle to open again.

There are 400 music venues around the country facing the imminent risk of being closed permanently. The #SaveOurVenues campaign is raising money so these venues can continue supporting their local music scenes. Meanwhile, lockdown is forcing local promoters to start thinking differently about the nights they can put on. Enter, Airdriver Records.

Birthed during lockdown, Airdriver Records is a brand new, Brighton-based record label. Launching into the music industry, they have been determined to support a venue which has been so instrumental to their own upbringing: the Hope & Ruin.

Having not been able to throw a physical launch party, the Airdriver team have put together a virtual show with four exciting artists. Local favourites Gene Pool construct dramatic, spacey storytelling through melancholic guitar chords and swirling vocals. Hive Society will be debuting their upcoming double A-side release ‘The Exchange/Warped’. Recorded and produced in the mist of lockdown, Hive Society emerge with a woozy yet punchy record that reflects the bizarre time that it was created in.

Headlining, Junodream are quickly becoming one of the UK’s favourite indie/alternative bands, with bittersweet anthems like ‘To The Moon’ and ‘Galactica’ that hint towards Radiohead-style melodies. Finally, the raw and energetic Cousn are set to see out the party with an hour-long DJ set.

Back in May, SOURCE spoke to Sally Oakenfold from The Hope & Ruin, who told us how keen they were to support local Brighton promotion companies. Go here to contribute to The Hope & Ruin’s crowdfunder or here for more details on Airdriver’s livestream event.

Words by Jack Pritchard