Ipswich Central proud to headline sponsor recent free music festival

There’s no doubt, Ipswich has a thriving live music scene. Most nights there’s a gig on somewhere in the town centre – from internationally known names at The Regent to local bands entertaining drinkers in a pub – and Ipswich Central’s CEO Lee Walker is keen for live music to play an even bigger role in the building the vibrancy of the town centre. 
 
Using experience from elsewhere in the country, Lee put forward a proposal to Ipswich based not–for-profit music organisation Brighten the Corners to provide part-funding to kickstart a free, one-day music festival across multiple venues in the town centre to test whether the concept would work in Ipswich.  

Brighten the Corners took up Lee’s challenge and created the All Dayer event. As well as a grant to support set up costs, Ipswich Central also involved its marketing team in promoting the day – helping to encourage the widest possible audience for the 60+ acts which performed in seven different venues across the town. With Ipswich Central’s backing guaranteed, the University of Suffolk and ACE quickly came on board as additional sponsors. 

As a result of that financial support and a lot of hard work, on a perfect spring day, more than 3,000 people enjoyed the Brighten the Corners all Dayer in venues varying from The Church to local pubs. 

Although tickets were free, the event brought people into Ipswich who spent money and discovered what a great place the town centre is for music and hospitality – all helping build the vibrancy and reputation of the town.  

One group travelled from Brighton in Sussex. On social media they commented: “We drove up from Brighton to stay with friends and visit the All Dayer. I congratulate you. It was a fantastic event and we got to see half a dozen or so of the acts and visited most of the venues. Brilliant music, brilliant atmosphere, brilliant organisation and thankfully brilliant weather.”  

The All Dayer was also a hit with the venues who hosted bands. Ross Keogh who owns the Arcade Tavern said: “Brighten the Corners All Dayer was a brilliant success for us at the Arcade Tavern. The atmosphere throughout the day was incredible, with a real mix of people coming through the doors and engaging with live music in a way that felt genuinely positive for the town. We saw strong trade across the day, but more importantly we welcomed a lot of new faces who had perhaps never visited the venue before. It showed what can happen when venues, promoters and organisations like Ipswich Central work together to create something ambitious for Ipswich.” 

Lee Walker said: “As I visited the various venues, I was incredibly proud that Ipswich Central played a part in making this happen. I was especially taken with just how many young people were there – either as musicians or part of the organising crew or just out enjoying the music. I like the idea that we are creating the environment for the next Ed Sheeran to emerge from Ipswich’s music scene as well as building the town’s reputation for a place to hear quality bands at low or no cost.” 

Ipswich Central was also headline sponsor for the main summer music festival Brighten the Corners ran in June 2025.
 

Although the All Dayer has finished, there is still plenty of live music on offer in the coming weeks – Ipswich Central produces a full listing of events on the All About Ipswich website, take a look at: www.allaboutipswich.com/whats-on/events