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City rocks out in memory of Paris attack victim

Stuart WoodwardColchester
News imageNova Twins A portrait image of Nova Twins. They are both wearing black clothesNova Twins
Nova Twins said they were "proud" to be headlining the concert

Dozens of artists - including Nova Twins and Frank Turner - helped a city to rock out this weekend, but with a peaceful message at its heart.

Ten venues across Colchester played host to "A Peaceful Noise" on Saturday, raising funds in memory of Nick Alexander, an Essex music merchandise seller who was killed at the 2015 Bataclan attack in Paris.

"I think he'd be so thrilled," said his sister Zoe Alexander, founder of the Nick Alexander Music Trust [NAMT].

"The fact that we're keeping his name alive here in Colchester is absolutely brilliant."

News imageStephen Budd Nick Alexander, standing by a wall, with T-shirts behind him with maps on. He has long, dark hair and is wearing a black vest/singlet-style shirt with a white Sum 41 logo on the frontStephen Budd
Nick Alexander, who was the only British person killed in the attacks 10 years ago, spent 15 years working in the music industry
News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Nova Twins perform on stage. A close-up photo of Georgia South, who has dark red curly hair, she is looking down at a guitar out of shot, and has a microphone next to her. Over her shoulder is Amy Love, who is singing into a microphone.John Fairhall/BBC
Nova Twins were the headline act for A Peaceful Noise

Nova Twins - comprised of bassist Georgia South and vocalist/guitarist Amy Love - said they were proud to be headlining.

"[NAMT] do such incredible work raising money to give to people who are underfunded and want to be in music, so it's going to such an amazing cause," said South.

"A Peaceful Noise - I feel like we're peaceful and we're noisy, so I think we fit the bill!" added Love, who hails from Thurrock.

News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Zoe Alexander has blonde hair, wears a dark jumper and has large dark-rimmed glasses. She sits in front of a stage with purple lighting and drums and amplifiers.John Fairhall/BBC
Zoe Alexander said her brother Nick would have been "thrilled" with the concert

Previous versions of A Peaceful Noise concerts have taken place in London, but for the 10th anniversary of the Paris attacks, they have come to Nick's home city.

"Colchester's got an incredible music scene and a load of brilliant independent venues," Zoe told the BBC.

"Nick was part of that music scene as well; he was deeply embedded in it."

She added: "These are places that he absolutely loved and spent a lot of happy, happy times in, so to keep some of his spirit in there in this way is absolutely brilliant."

News imageJohn Fairhall/BBC Bridget has blonde shoulder-length hair. She wears a dark red tracksuit top which is zipped up. She has dark eyeliner and is smiling at the camera. She stands in front of a music mixing desk.John Fairhall/BBC
Colchester artist Bridget. said the concerts were for "a great cause"

The event also showcased several local artists, including Colchester singer Bridget., who said it was "an honour" to be asked to take part.

"It was an easy yes," said the 23-year-old.

"I think it's a great cause, you'd be silly to pass it up."

Venues which took part included the Colchester Arts Centre, Three Wise Monkeys, Coda and The Minories.

Organisers said hundreds of tickets were sold, with the artists giving their time free of charge, and all profits going to the trust.

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