Indie Cult Club shine on with new merch

Two years ago, John Pearman and Nigel Thomas set out to create a live music night that didn’t end right after the encore. Rather than have their audience slip away to find an indie disco after the band had finished, their vision was to have both elements in one venue. Come for the performance, stay for the party. What’s more they felt a strong sense of identity and visual character would help them to inspire a loyal community of indie lovers and gig goers to keep coming back.

With that in mind, they founded Indie Cult Club, and made their home at legendary venue Chinnerys in Southend. Over time, the night developed a loyal following and has now hosted performances from The Zutons, Inspiral Carpets, Echobelly, Stereo MCs, Republica, Huey Morgan, Sleeper, Teenage Fanclub and more. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s track the origins of this alternative music phenomenon.

More than just a gig

When creating a visual identity, the first task was to come up with a logo. After attempting unsuccessfully to come up with something themselves, John and Nigel enlisted the help of designer Isaac Nana, a process they discussed with us last year. Together, they landed on something striking and memorable.  The triangle shape resembles the All-Seeing-Eye (or Eye of Providence) symbol. The infamous symbol, which appears in the iconography of a number of nations and religions, has been the focus of many esoteric theories about conspiracies, cabals and secret societies. It feeds into the ‘cult’ element of the brand and really conjures the fin-de-siécle paranoia and X-files fandom of the 90s.

At its centre, instead of an eye, Nana’s design features a graphic element representing the reel of a cassette tape, drawing on 90s music culture. It’s an elegant piece of design: retro without being corny, universal enough to suit Indie Cult Club’s varied line-ups, yet still rich in character and instantly recognisable. Once the logo was in place, it was rolled out across various print applications to enhance the venue, promote events and appear on merchandise.

Transforming the venue

In common with the most atmospheric, intimate music venues, the décor in Chinnerys is as black as Spinal Tap’s legendary album cover. While it’s a classic look that keeps the focus on the bands, it doesn’t feel like a branded space. On nights when Indie Cult Club is in effect, John and Nigel wanted the space to feel distinctive and unmistakably theirs

As a solution, they decided to source a number of larger format display materials from Solopress. By featuring their impactful logo and wordmark on a black background, the white branding really pops out on each of these elements.

With posters, banners and wall clings, they’ve been able to put their mark on the stage area, dance floor, merch stand, pillars, ticket desk and the walkway as you enter the venue. Even outside the entrance, a café barrier and banner announce that Indie Cult Club has taken over for the night.

Collect the Cult Club Stubs

Printed tickets were a deliberate part of the experience. In a digital age, the team at Indie Cult Club saw value in something physical—something fans could hold onto. Solopress worked with them to recreate the look of classic gig tickets, complete with perforated stubs, overlapping logos and a lo-fi visual style printed on a robust uncoated cardstock.

To reward regular gig-goers, a clever idea emerged: each ticket featured a one quarter section of the Indie Cult Club logo on the reverse. Collect four and you could complete the logo image and earn £10 off merchandise. The result was both a keepsake and an incentive to come again.

Merch, momentum and monochrome style

As the club grew, so did demand for merchandise. With help from Solopress, Indie Cult Club developed a run of black-and-white T-shirts, hoodies, tote bags and hats, all consistent with the night’s visual theme. The response was immediate, and a growing number of regulars began attending the night clad in Indie Cult Club clobber. Crucially, many of these fans now turn up regardless of who is playing. What began as a music night was starting to feel more like a community with its own identity, its own aesthetic and its own rhythm.

Adding shimmer to the scene: Shiny Stickers

This year, Indie Cult Club became one of the first (after Essex & Herts Air Ambulance) to adopt Solopress’ new Shiny Stickers, a range of holographic prints that catch the light and shift colour depending on the angle. For a brand so firmly rooted in black and white, it was a great way to introduce a little colour without straying too far off brand.

But the result is subtle yet effective. The stickers feature no text, just the iconic logo, designed to be recognised rather than explained. They’ve quickly become a sought-after item at gigs, with attendees snapping them up as mementoes and slapping them on laptops, guitar cases and water bottles. For Indie Cult Club, they’re also a nod to the collectability that’s become part of the night’s culture—like the tickets, they’re something to hold onto.

Looking ahead: festivals and large-format ideas

With bookings now including international acts and a calendar that stretches well into next year, Indie Cult Club continues to grow. The Indie Cult Club Fan Group on Facebook is helping spread the word, while John and Nigel’s curated playlists on Spotify allow fans to relive each after party in the comfort of their own earbuds.

Next up is a planned day festival in Leigh-on-Sea, marking the club’s first foray into outdoor events. As the plans develop, Solopress is already in conversation about large-format print to help make a visual impact in open-air spaces.

Whatever comes next, we’re proud to support a night that’s built its identity through print, music and a strong sense of DIY spirit. Whether or not holographic stickers inspire John and Nigel to break out of the monochrome branding, Indie Cult Club will be adding plenty of colour to Southend’s live music scene for some time to come.

Create your own conventional or custom shaped Shiny Stickers individually or on rolls, in gold, silver, glitter or holographic with Solopress.