Deadwax: Where are ‘All My Friends’ tonight?
Chloe Allen
On the 13th of Feb, 2025, Dead Wax hosted their first All My Friends Night. The marketing was simple and effective, describing itself as ‘A night of the sleaziest 2000s bangers’. Dead Wax also promoted this event as its first ever student night, boasting reduced prices on certain drinks, which was definitely a selling point for Digbeth’s notoriously expensive dive bar.
I viewed this as a trial run for this club night, going in with no prior expectations. This was probably a good thing as the night, as the name seeminlgy predicted, consisted more or less of just all my friends. The turnout was super disappointing to me, which can probably be put down to people not hearing about it. Because as far as I was concerned, the music was good, the drinks were cheap and the entry was free, so I can’t think of anywhere else you’d want to be on the second Thursday of every month.
We walked into the event while Better Way To Live by KNEECAP and Grian Chatten was playing, which started the night off on a high, despite being a good decade off the advertised soundtrack. The DJ, Shaun Walsh, found his way back to the 00s later on in his set, bringing a fair few of the usual Deadwax culprits, who normally stay confined to the smoking area, out onto the dance floor for Waterfalls by TLC. This was a definite night highlight with the energy emulating that of a classic old Snobs bottom-floor sing-along. It was this snippet of the night that gave me hope for the future of the event. Perhaps becoming a staple in Brummie youth’s clubbing experience, which could fill a hole that’s been left by the iconic nightclub’s Broad Street demise.
Although the inside lacked the energy you’d expect from an Indie Sleaze night in Birmingham the smoking area managed to uphold its reputation as the social sector for Birmingham’s indie scene. A good night in Deadwax can be distinguished by the buzz of the outdoors and despite the lack of a turnout the energy was high. There was a sense of camaraderie amongst the few that turned up, those attracted by nostalgic music from the golden ages of Indie sleaze and your regular weekday boozers.
On the 13th of Feb, 2025, Dead Wax hosted their first All My Friends Night. The marketing was simple and effective, describing itself as ‘A night of the sleaziest 2000s bangers’. Dead Wax also promoted this event as its first ever student night, boasting reduced prices on certain drinks, which was definitely a selling point for Digbeth’s notoriously expensive dive bar.
I viewed this as a trial run for this club night, going in with no prior expectations. This was probably a good thing as the night, as the name seeminlgy predicted, consisted more or less of just all my friends. The turnout was super disappointing to me, which can probably be put down to people not hearing about it. Because as far as I was concerned, the music was good, the drinks were cheap and the entry was free, so I can’t think of anywhere else you’d want to be on the second Thursday of every month.
We walked into the event while Better Way To Live by KNEECAP and Grian Chatten was playing, which started the night off on a high, despite being a good decade off the advertised soundtrack. The DJ, Shaun Walsh, found his way back to the 00s later on in his set, bringing a fair few of the usual Deadwax culprits, who normally stay confined to the smoking area, out onto the dance floor for Waterfalls by TLC. This was a definite night highlight with the energy emulating that of a classic old Snobs bottom-floor sing-along. It was this snippet of the night that gave me hope for the future of the event. Perhaps becoming a staple in Brummie youth’s clubbing experience, which could fill a hole that’s been left by the iconic nightclub’s Broad Street demise.
Although the inside lacked the energy you’d expect from an Indie Sleaze night in Birmingham the smoking area managed to uphold its reputation as the social sector for Birmingham’s indie scene. A good night in Deadwax can be distinguished by the buzz of the outdoors and despite the lack of a turnout the energy was high. There was a sense of camaraderie amongst the few that turned up, those attracted by nostalgic music from the golden ages of Indie sleaze and your regular weekday boozers.
All attributes considered, the event has the bones to be one of the greats in terms of a Birmingham nights out. I can imagine it becoming something that people look forward to and I think the choice to make it monthly was a smart move, for it to be a sort of novelty. Marketing as a student night was also a good move, since Dead Wax is a baby of Birmingham nightlife in comparison to some of the venues frequented by the student crowd. But it is definitely in the running to become an iconic one, judging by the venue’s events so far. Add a few more bodies on the dance floor and a few more indie sing-alongs and All My Friends could count on some frequent returners.
All My Friends will be back in Deadwax on Thursday the 13th of March. They’ve announced the lineup on their socials kicking it off with Indie Summer, the bassist of one of Birmingham’s newest gems, Overpass. Indie is a recognised returner of Deadwax’s DJ booth and having seen a few of her sets I’m positive she will be an exciting and welcomed addition to this event. Thomas Rhodes will also be playing and if his set is anything like the music his up and coming band GANS is churning out Deadwax is gearing up for a successful night.
All in all, the night was lacking the energy needed to truly emulate the 2000s Indie scene. I hope the 13th brings more mess, more iconic music and lots more sleaze. Would I attend this event again? Yes. Was it worth the £50 fine for throwing up in the Uber home? Not quite this time.
All My Friends will be back in Deadwax on Thursday the 13th of March. They’ve announced the lineup on their socials kicking it off with Indie Summer, the bassist of one of Birmingham’s newest gems, Overpass. Indie is a recognised returner of Deadwax’s DJ booth and having seen a few of her sets I’m positive she will be an exciting and welcomed addition to this event. Thomas Rhodes will also be playing and if his set is anything like the music his up and coming band GANS is churning out Deadwax is gearing up for a successful night.
All in all, the night was lacking the energy needed to truly emulate the 2000s Indie scene. I hope the 13th brings more mess, more iconic music and lots more sleaze. Would I attend this event again? Yes. Was it worth the £50 fine for throwing up in the Uber home? Not quite this time.