By Eve Davies, Music Deputy-Editor
You might know Wagamama as the go-to spot for a quick katsu between lectures, but this October the noodle chain is stepping into the music scene and getting students involved. Partnering with legendary UK garage label Locked On Records, Wagamama has launched Wagamama Wednesdays, a seven-week series bringing food, music and student culture together across 50 restaurants nationwide – including right here in Bristol.
From October 1, the Queens Road Wagamama will host student-only nights every Wednesday from 8pm until close. Expect live DJ sets, giveaways, a playlist curated by Locked On, and 20 percent off food through Student Beans. Anyone ordering a main dish will also get a free Asahi beer to go with it, which sounds like the perfect midweek reset.
It’s also a welcome sign of life for Bristol’s nightlife. After what’s felt like a year of closures, licensing woes and collective mourning for lost dance floors, the city’s music scene finally seems to be stirring again. With Motion announcing a new replacement venue, Lizard Lounge reopening under new management, and now Wagamama handing the aux cord to student DJs, it feels like Bristol might just be finding its groove again.
Sophie Scannell
But Wagamama isn’t just serving up good food and music. As part of the launch, they’ve opened a nationwide competition called Wagamama Wednesdays: Lock-In, giving student DJs the chance to swap bedroom mixes for a live set. Students can submit a three to 15 minute mix via SoundCloud by October 8 for a chance to perform at local qualifier nights, including one here in Bristol.
Each Lock-In event will feature three student DJs performing live 20-minute sets, with the audience voting in real time for their favourite. Winners from each city will then head to the grand finale in Nottingham on November 19, where the overall winner will record a track with Locked On Records in London, complete with professional mentoring and studio time.
If you’re looking to enter, fill out this form and send it to wagamamacompetition@wagamama.com.
Whether you’re a student DJ looking for a first gig or just want a night of ramen, beer and garage beats, Wagamama Wednesdays looks set to be one of Bristol’s most unexpected and unmissable student nights this term.
Find out more and enter the competition at wagamama.com/students.
Featured Image: Wagamama / Finn Partners
Will you be heading there this month?
