Grassroots music: wearing the scene
Grace Sheldon
University of Brighton
This project explores beauty found in gig settings and is fuelled by solidarity with grassroots music venues. For most musical artists, their career begins by playing sets in independent spaces that welcome new creative ventures, subsidise costs and build community at the risk of limited profit. Despite their integral importance within the music industry, 'over half of grassroots venues (53%) failed to make a profit in 2025 due to rent hikes and operating costs' (BBC News). This AW26 knitwear collection seeks to raise awareness and enable outreach by finding inspiration in the colour palettes of bright gig lighting with a contrast of iconic stage details such as leads, instruments and amps. Using deadstock yarn as well as additional hardware such as eyelets, jump rings and cassette tape, the knitted samples and garments express visual interpretations of grassroots music scenes.