Co-op’s farewell to the year is nothing to Whinge about

Lancaster Music Co-op’s popular monthly free music night says an early farewell to 2025 with a bang this week with a stellar line-up from the heavier end of the rock spectrum.

The event takes place upstairs at The Pub on China Street from 7.30pm this Friday, 28 November as the co-op, homeless since 2018, continues to fundraise towards a return to its spiritual home.

Its non-profit rehearsal facility, recording studio and music space on Lodge Street has been undergoing extensive repairs.

Headlining this month are legendary Preston rockers Whinge, formed after one pub conversation too many saw their myriad of musical backgrounds and unpredictable approach to life collide.

Fuelled by nihilism and a playful eye for self-deprecation, expect post-punk informed DIY garage-rock played with gay abandon.

Whinge slam together influences from the Mondays to the Sabbath, ESG to LCD, Genesis to the Rapture - and their performances veer from intense and frenetic to creeping and sardonic.

Playing with the likes of Benefits, LIFE, Part Chimp, BODEGA and many more, Whinge have impressed at festivals including Manchester Psych Fest, Waves Sunderland, Knockengorroch and Glastonferret, as well as running their own bi-annual celebration Whingefest.

They will be supported by Lancaster’s RUN IT UP, a hardcore outfit built on raw energy, heavy riffs and unfiltered self-expression.

Blending old-school aggression with modern intensity, RUN IT UP bring the noise through breakdowns and 2-step anthems that ignite every floor they hit.

These lads have been making quite the impression with gigs all over the city and recent performances at Solfest and supporting Carpe.

Opening the night are Barrow’s finest punk/grunge purveyors, Divers Green.

Imagine Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, and Henry Rollins met in a back-alley brawl and you’ll be somewhere near their sound, energy and attitude.

Since forming in 2023, they’ve carved out their own take on punk/grunge rock - loud, raw, and sincere.

Their first live show was August 2024, and since then, they haven’t looked back. From sweatbox venues all over the north-west to the Calling Out stage at Kendal Calling, they’ve taken every chance to make noise and leave a mark.

Co-op director Holly Blackwell, said: “Following the success of last month’s fabulous All Hallows Eve party night, we are well and truly signing off on the year with style with this brilliant line-up.

“Whinge are truly a force to be reckoned with, and with support acts of the calibre of RUN IT UP and Divers Green, this is an occasion not to be missed.

“It’s a thank you gift to everyone who has supported the co-op this year, be it by attending these shows, buying merch or donating to our campaign.

“While there is still some way to go before we are in a position to reopen co-op HQ, every event like this brings is a little closer thanks to the wonderful support of our local community.”

As ever, co-op merch will be available on the night and there will also be donation points.

After Lancaster City Council deemed the co-op building unsafe and issued an eviction notice in 2019, it was finally granted a long-term lease following a community campaign and support from city councillors.

Significant structural repairs have seen been taking place, funded by £1.2m from the government’s Community Ownership Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Lancaster’s High Street Heritage Action Zone and the city council. But more funding is now needed to fit out the facility.

You can donate to the fundraising campaign here