⚠️ Book early to avoid missing out
Edgelands 2026: Plaid + Dhangsha + A’Bear
Join us for Edgelands 2026: Plaid + Dhangsha + A’Bear at Colchester Arts Centre in Colchester. This live event is part of the venue’s varied programme of live entertainment, culture and community events.
Tickets £20. 7.30pm, starts 8pm.This gig s for a standing audience. Part of the EDGELANDS festival of leftfield / experimental music running 15 / 16 / 17 & 18 October. https://colchesterartscentre.com/edgelands-2026/ The headline act for EDGELANDS this year is the mighty electronic duo PLAID. On the cusp of their 30th year with Warp records, now is the time to reflect on the massively important presence of Plaid, aka Ed Handley and Andy Turner. An institution since the late 80s, they’re monumental cornerstones for any self-respecting electronic music fan; mainly as Plaid, but also under aliases including The Black Dog and Balil – not to mention their work with Bjork. Playful and wondrous, their 11th album ‘Feorm Falorx’ is generally gentler than the dark angularity of its predecessor ‘Polymer’, but it’s no less deep, and maintains the melodicism for which they’re loved. It’s still highly rhythmic too – traversing ‘Set If Off’ hi-hats, digitised harpsichords, mangled mandolin, cascading strings, rude basslines, mercurial grooves and even a touch of goth guitar. Keen advocates of technology, here they manage to sound cutting edge, but also warm, human and nostalgic – purveying a sort of high-tech-retro-futurism. As usual they’re ever evolving, but there’s also line traceable right back within their own music. From their maverick early releases until now, they’ve embraced new methods of synthesis and explored diverse musical styles, maintaining a thread that spins through the early hip hop of their youth and beyond – to the sounds of the 60s and 70s that inspired it. Plaid have toured extensively and collaborated widely over the years, writing for and performing with sonic researchers, percussion groups, solo artists and orchestras – most recently for the BBC Concert Orchestra. They have written for computer games and scored several feature films, one of which, ‘Tekkon Kinkreet’, was awarded the Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year.https://plaid.warp.net/ DHANGSHA “Dhangsha” (Bengali for ‘destruction’) is the project and alias of electronic artist Aniruddha Das. Dhangsha operates at an intersection of bass culture and experimental noise, exploring minimalism, repetition and fragmentation. With the western “back-beat” having been jettisoned, his sequenced, overdriven kicks syncopate like traditional hand drums, underpinning metallic clave hi-hats and alien call and response motifs. Known for his visceral live sets, Dhangsha has performed throughout the UK and Europe, including repeat visits to renowned noise venue Cave12 in Geneva. He has appeared at both Iklectik and Cafe Oto in London several times, and twice at Industrial Coast, Middlesbrough. Festivals he has performed at include “Electric Spring,” “Supernormal” and “Bone-Iklectik,” Barcelona.https://dhangsha.bandcamp.com/music A'BEAR A'Bear is a London-based psychedelic electronic project led by multi-continental musician, producer, and DJ Janine A'Bear. Known for cosmic polyrhythms, warped vocals, and dreamy textures, key releases include the albums Glammy Racket (2024) and Altered Fetes (2025). https://www.instagram.com/a_bear_sounds/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/abearsounds https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdPAWK1ngB4iSHeHuijQ5w
Tickets are likely to be popular, so early booking is recommended. Secure your place and enjoy a brilliant live event at Colchester Arts Centre.
Venue
Colchester Arts Centre – Upcoming Events, Live Music & Visitor Guide
Colchester Arts Centre is one of the most unique and popular live entertainment venues in Essex, hosting an exciting programme of live music, comedy shows, theatre performances, spoken word events, community gatherings and alternative entertainment throughout the year.
Affectionately known as “the little church with the big attitude,” the venue is housed within the historic St. Mary-at-the-Walls church in the heart of Colchester. With its distinctive atmosphere, intimate setting and diverse range of performances, Colchester Arts Centre attracts visitors from across Essex, Suffolk and the wider East Anglia region.
Whether you are attending a live concert, stand-up comedy show, theatre production or community event, Colchester Arts Centre offers one of the most memorable live entertainment experiences in the area.
🎟️ Upcoming Events at This Venue
Scroll down to view the latest upcoming concerts, comedy nights, theatre productions, spoken word performances and community events taking place at Colchester Arts Centre.
📍 Colchester Arts Centre Address
Colchester Arts Centre
Church Street
Colchester
Essex
CO1 1NF
📞 Box Office: 01206 500900
📧 Email: info@colchesterartscentre.com
🎭 About Colchester Arts Centre
Colchester Arts Centre has built a reputation as one of Essex’s leading independent arts and live music venues, offering a packed calendar of events suitable for a wide range of audiences.
The venue is particularly well known for hosting:
- 🎶 Live music concerts
- 😂 Stand-up comedy and alternative comedy shows
- 🎭 Theatre productions and performances
- 🎤 Spoken word and poetry events
- 👨👩👧 Community gatherings and local arts events
- 🎟️ Touring performers and independent artists
- 🎸 Indie, rock, folk and acoustic performances
- 🕺 Creative arts and cultural events
Its historic church setting creates a unique atmosphere that has made the venue a favourite among performers and audiences alike.
🚆 How to Get to Colchester Arts Centre
🚂 By Train
Colchester Arts Centre is approximately:
- A 15-minute walk from Colchester Town railway station
- A 20-minute walk from Colchester North railway station
Regular Greater Anglia train services operate from London Liverpool Street, Ipswich, Chelmsford and surrounding Essex towns.
Planning your journey by rail?
🚆 Check train times and ticket prices to Colchester
🚌 By Bus
Several local bus routes serve Colchester city centre, with stops located close to the venue. The High Street is approximately a 5-minute walk away and is served by multiple local and regional bus services.
🚗 By Car
Colchester Arts Centre is easily accessible by road and is located close to several public parking facilities within Colchester city centre.
🅿️ Parking Near Colchester Arts Centre
Visitors travelling by car can take advantage of several nearby parking facilities.
🅿️ St. Mary’s Car Park
Located on Balkerne Hill, this car park is approximately a 5-minute walk from the venue.
🅿️ Nunn’s Road Car Park
Situated off Middleborough, Nunn’s Road Car Park is around a 7-minute walk from Colchester Arts Centre.
🅿️ Osborne Street Car Park
Located approximately a 10-minute walk away and accessible via St. John’s Street.
Please note that parking charges may apply at these locations.
♿ Accessibility at Colchester Arts Centre
Colchester Arts Centre offers facilities designed to help make performances and events accessible for visitors.
Accessibility features may include:
- ♿ Wheelchair accessible areas
- 🚻 Accessible toilet facilities
- 🎟️ Accessible seating options
- 👂 Hearing assistance systems where available
- 🛗 Step-free access to certain areas
Visitors with specific accessibility requirements are encouraged to contact the venue ahead of their visit.
🍽️ Restaurants & Bars Near Colchester Arts Centre
There are plenty of restaurants, pubs, cafés and takeaway options located within Colchester city centre, making it easy to enjoy food and drinks before or after an event.
Nearby dining options include:
- Independent restaurants
- Cocktail bars and pubs
- Cafés and coffee shops
- Family-friendly dining
- Fast food and takeaway venues
- Late-night food options in the city centre
Colchester offers a wide variety of food and drink venues suitable for all tastes and budgets.
🏨 Nearby Accommodation
Nearby accommodation options include:
- City centre hotels
- Budget hotels
- Boutique stays
- Family guest houses
- Modern apartments
- Business and leisure hotels
Visitors attending concerts, comedy shows and special events often choose to stay nearby and enjoy more of Colchester’s nightlife and attractions.
🏛️ Explore Colchester Before Your Visit
A visit to Colchester Arts Centre is the perfect opportunity to explore more of Colchester.
Nearby attractions include:
- 🏰 Colchester Castle
- 🌳 Castle Park
- 🛍️ Colchester city centre
- 🍽️ Restaurants and nightlife
- 🎭 Other local theatres and arts venues
- 🏛️ Museums and historic attractions
Its central location makes Colchester Arts Centre ideal for combining live entertainment with a day or evening out in the city.
🎭 More Events in Colchester
Looking for more entertainment nearby?
Browse more:
- Live music events in Colchester
- Comedy shows in Essex
- Theatre performances in Colchester
- Alternative music events in Essex
- What’s On This Weekend in Colchester
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Colchester Arts Centre located?
Colchester Arts Centre is located on Church Street, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1NF.
What events are held at Colchester Arts Centre?
The venue hosts live music, comedy shows, theatre performances, spoken word events, community gatherings and cultural events throughout the year.
Is there parking near Colchester Arts Centre?
Yes, several nearby public car parks are located within walking distance of the venue, including St. Mary’s Car Park and Nunn’s Road Car Park.
How far is Colchester Arts Centre from the train station?
The venue is approximately a 15-minute walk from Colchester Town station and around 20 minutes from Colchester North station.
Is Colchester Arts Centre accessible?
Yes, the venue offers accessible facilities including wheelchair access and accessible seating areas where available.
Can I buy tickets at the venue?
Yes, tickets for many events can be purchased directly through the venue or online.
What is the Box Office number for Colchester Arts Centre?
The Box Office telephone number is 01206 500900.
🎟️ Discover Upcoming Events at Colchester Arts Centre
From live music and comedy to theatre productions and creative arts performances, Colchester Arts Centre continues to be one of Essex’s leading independent entertainment venues.
Check back regularly for the latest upcoming events, performances and live shows taking place throughout the year.
🌍 Looking for more events across East Anglia?
Discover thousands of upcoming events across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire on Dovetail Events .
Browse live music, comedy, theatre, festivals, family days out and more.
⚠️ Book early to avoid missing out
