Music's Not Dead presents: AIRCOOLED live instore for new album 'My God It's Full Of Stars'

Aircooled pull off that rare trick of making music that thrills ravers as much as the heads. From warm, enveloping kraut rock to spiralling, glossy space odysseys and pure-hearted pop, it’s disco music for smart people. The band comes from St Leonards, the southern coastal town hailed by Mojo Magazine as “the new Seattle” and epitomise the area’s wide-eyed DIY spirit, experimentation and community oriented glow. Aircooled are built around the push-and-pull of drummer Justin Welch (Elastica, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Lush, Suede), guitarist/keyboardist Oliver Cherer (Miki Berenyi Trio, Gilroy Mere) and bass player Katherine Wallinger (The Wedding Present, Viv Albertine), laced with vocals and keys from Riz Maslen (Neotropic) with a few extra layers of warm analogue synths piped on top by Mew. It’s a rich, creamy mix.

They formed in 2022. Ollie says, “I’d made a record years ago, called Music For Aircooled Motoring, which was like an art rock band joke. But my label would occasionally hint at me making a second. So, during lockdown, I turned my attention to making some demos, and send them over to Justin to see if he fancied adding some drums. And he seemed to take it as a challenge! We all had a lot of time on our hands.”
Ollie would throw ideas to Justin, who also lived in St Leonards, “From the north end of London Road to the south end”, and together, layer by layer they built songs. And they sounded exciting. But still they felt that the tracks needed something extra, so asked their friend Riz to contribute vocals, “Like a synthesizer” explains Ollie. However, as the world started to emerge from hibernation and the band started to play shows, Riz’ role expanded.

The group’s first show – at a pizza restaurant – was intense. Katherine had been added as a bass player, and “We hit the ground running,” says Ollie, “But it was great! As soon as Riz got on stage she was much more strident, it became something completely different.” Riz’ swagger and poise live had revved things even further; now Aircooled were motoring.

Band HQ was established at a studio in St Leonards, a secret space decorated with graffiti and street art shared with artists and designers. Justin describes it as a ‘den’. First album, St Leopards was released in ** 2022, with distinctive big cat artwork by local artist Mew, who also works from the studio. In true Aircooled style, Mew went on to become the band’s live synth player. Ollie says, “The music is made in the studio, the art, there’s a whole DIY ethic, I even co-own the band’s label. It’s all in-house.” “It’s our version of The Factory,” smiles Justin.
The album was met with near-instant acclaim, with Metro describing it as “Wild and wiggy… deeply groovy,” and the band rolled into recording the second. Riz confesses that the group helped her decide to stay in St Leonards rather than moving towns. She says, “I was really struggling, my mum had died and it was a weird time for me. The band literally saved me in a lot of ways.”

Quickly carving out a reputation as a formidable live act, Aircooled stormed onto the road. A series of UK shows were followed by a Suede tour support. Katherine says, “That, for me, was when it all slotted into place. I knew how to play those songs, to be on stage again. I was back.”
‘Eat The Gold’, was released in February 2024. Mojo Magazine hailed it as “The greatest Kraut-gospel-funk party album ever.”
Ollie says, “The song ‘Star Rider’ was, perhaps a huge turning point for us — more arranged than anything we’d done before. More thought through.”

The band’s creative process is a combination of live room and home-studio recording. Justin says, “I believe that bass and drums have to work together like that Talking Heads or New Order thing. I’m not really a funky player, but it’s like that in funk; changing at the same points. I’m in other bands that are quite shoegazy, but this locks in more.”
Very much four separate individuals, the band pick from a wide range of influences. Riz says, “They’ve introduced me to so much music I might have walked by when I was younger. Bowie!”

New album, ‘My God It’s Full Of Stars’ is another quantum leap for the band, with big songs to fill big venues. There are songs about the gentrification of St Leonards (‘Idiots’), 17th century German astronomers (‘Kepler’) to ‘Delirious’, an unashamedly disco remembrance of all things hedonistic. It’s epic, ambitious, heartfelt, yet still packed with songs for dancing feet. This is the album that might just send Aircooled into the stars.

In accordance with Government legislation we display the total ticket cost at the top of each event webpage, these are inclusive of any mandatory additional fees such as restoration levies or booking fees.

Please note that Booking Fees apply on the following transactions:

Online: Tickets booked online are subject to booking fees when purchased through our website. E-tickets are emailed instantly on the account you have registered with DLWP, please check your Junk folder if they don’t arrive within 30 minutes. Customers can also download their tickets through our website within ‘My Account’.

Telephone: £3.50 per transaction + £2 postage or free collection at the Box Office.

In Person: There are currently no charges for booking tickets in person.

There is a £2 charge to post tickets.

We strongly recommend ticket buyers to take out Ticket Protection insurance with Secure My Booking available when you book your tickets at check out.

Please note that we are only able to post tickets within the UK. If you live overseas please select box office collection or print at home tickets. Tickets purchased for post will be sent 10 – 14 days before the show date.

Full terms and conditions can be found here.

Book online: Pre-show dining can be booked online as an add-on when purchasing tickets for selected events. You will be purchasing a ticket to guarantee your meal before the show.
Please note you must be a ticket holder to the show to book pre-show dining.

Already booked your tickets? If you’ve already booked tickets for a show and would like to add dining, please contact Box Office: boxoffice@dlwp.com

On the night: If you have pre-booked please come to the bar to order from the gig menu and sit at one of the reserved tables.

Please be aware that we operate no re-entry for gigs. This means that once you have entered the building, you cannot go out and re-enter. This policy is in line with other major music venues across the UK and put in place on police advice. No re-entry is clearly signposted as you come through security on the front door.
There is a fenced-off area on the terrace for people who go out to smoke or vape.

There are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following:

The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel and Spa

Situated on a private beach with uninterrupted views of the English Channel, this immaculately restored four-star hotel is just a 10-minute drive from De La Warr Pavilion. Receive 10% discount on rooms* from Sunday to Thursday (excluding Fridays and Saturdays) using the promo code DLWP. BOOK NOW.

*Offer available until 31 March 2026 (blackout dates apply). Free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival. Paid partnership with The Relais Cooden Beach Hotel & Spa.

• The Wayfarer Rooms
• The Driftwood
• Coast B & B
• The Albany Rooms
• Dunselma

• By Rail
  Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
  There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
  Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information.
• Taxis
  Town Taxis:  01424 211 511
  Parkhurst Taxis:  01424 733 456
• By Car
  If driving from the London area:
  Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
  OR
  Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
  From the Brighton area:
  Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea.
• Parking
  Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 10pm. After this time parking is free.

Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.

If you have specific access needs for a daytime visit or for a bookable event, please email customerservice@dlwp.com or call 01424 229111

Current facilities are:

• Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building (not in the carpeted area of the Café Bar)
• Ramped access at the front of the building
• A low counter at the Box Office and  Information Desk
• Disabled toilets on two floors
• A lift to all floors
• Accessible galleries on both floors
• An accessible Café
• Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events – please note that currently our balcony seating is not accessible for wheelchairs/walkers.
• Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
• Ramped access into the Studio
• Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.

Facilities for blind or visually-impaired

• Large print season brochures

Facilities for the hard-of-hearing

• An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
• British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.

A limited number of assistance tickets are available for each live event. Please email customerservice@dlwp.com or call the box office on 01424 229111 to book.