Legendary Notts funk outfit Fat Digester are marking a massive milestone this weekend, celebrating 30 years in existence with an all‑day yard party at Castle Rock Brewery and The Old Cold Store this Saturday (8).
The event also doubles as a nod to another landmark: 25 years since their debut EP Funky Situation first dropped in 2001.
Formed in 1996, Fat Digester have spent three decades doing exactly what their name suggests — chewing up funk, soul, hip‑hop, dub, jazz and Latin influences and spitting them back out as some of the most infectious live energy the East Midlands has ever produced.
Their anniversary party looks set to be a full‑scale celebration of that legacy. Running from 1.30pm ‘til late, the event brings together collaborators, friends and long‑time supporters, with Castle Rock Brewery and Revolution Sounds helping the band build a proper hometown blowout.
Frontman Paul “Ned” Needham says the day is all about honouring the people who’ve kept the band going: “Along our journey, we’ve made many friends. Revolution Sounds and Castle Rock Brewery are just two of those that have stepped up and offered their support to build us a 30th Anniversary Party… along with numerous bands from around the country.”
Exclusive beer, big vibes and a lineup stacked with Nottingham talent
As if the music wasn’t enough, Fat Digester are also launching their own anniversary beer. Brewed with Castle Rock, Catch the Moon — named after a track from their Bring It Down EP — is a 4.5% cask pale ale loaded with tropical fruit notes and a crisp bitter finish. Expect it to flow freely.
The party will feature indoor and outdoor bars, a BBQ, and food from Falafel Baffle and the award‑winning The Cod’s Scallops. It’s family‑friendly too, with under‑14s welcome until 8pm and teens (licence permitting) until 11pm.
Outside, a large stage in the brewery yard will host a run of genre‑hopping acts from across the region, while inside The Old Cold Store you’ll find merch, nostalgia‑soaked visuals and a late‑night DJ set to take things through to midnight.
“We don’t really do subtle — we just want people to dance.”
Ned sums up the band’s ethos with typical bluntness:
“We’ve never really been about charts or commercial success — it’s always been about bringing people together and making them move. We don’t really do subtle; we just want people to dance.”
With tickets already selling fast, the band are expecting 300–500 people to pack out the brewery yard. For a group that’s played everything from grassroots venues to major festivals, the anniversary show looks set to be a definitive celebration of their place in Nottingham’s musical DNA.
Tickets £11 (inc. booking fee): https://tinyurl.com/2vktad7c
