Three music promoters are promising to bring the best up-and-coming bands back to Reading with an exciting new line up at the legendary After Dark Club.

The popular London Street venue will host an indie alternative club night every Thursday – starting on October 9 – to showcase the best local bands and DJ talent around.

Each week will see one live act play a short set, supported by a great line up of DJs, with the emphasis on regular opportunities for local bands to perform.

The night has been masterminded by Die Young Stay Pretty (DYSP), a new collective combining the talents of Caversham-based music promoter Peter Smith, University of Reading student DJ Alex Smith, and Helen Andreou, a regular on Linda Serck’s BBC Berkshire show The Session.

Peter, 28, told the Post: “It is going to be a top class indie night mixing the best of new emerging talent and top DJs. Each band will play a short sharp burst of live music.

“The idea is to bring bands to Reading so people don’t feel they have to get a train to Oxford or London to see the best out there.

“It is very important for local bands to have a place to showcase their music and we want to give as many local bands as possible the chance to play here.

“Choice and variety of live music is what we are all about, it’s what the people love and that is what Reading needs.”

The new ‘Thursday’ will join the nightclub’s list of well-established weekend nights, including 80s club Success on Saturdays, the Top Of The Pops and Sesame Street cheese-fests on Fridays and the legendary old school indie night Fools Gold.

The trio decided to set up DYSP in a bid to get the town back on the music map following the closure of the much-loved Fez Club earlier this year.

Peter, who has spent the last seven years managing Wokingham-based rockers The Cooper Temple Clause, said it was about time Reading had a top live night again.

“When the Fez closed Reading effectively fell off the touring circuit because there was no suitable venue for all the up-and-coming bands to play,” he explained.

“It was pretty ridiculous really. We have one of best and largest music festivals in Europe, but we don’t have one regular night on the touring circuit.

“As a result, all those up and coming groups that you hear on the Zane Lowe’s Radio 1 Show haven’t been coming here.”

So in addition to the club night, DYSP will also be doing its best to bring more established acts back to the late-night venue.

And the Post can exclusively reveal that Dundee-based rock band The View will be taking the stage at the After Dark on Saturday, November 1, as part of a 35-date UK tour.

“Reading needs this sort of music,” said Peter. “There is a real buzz around the town following the festival and we hope to keep that going by promoting some big gigs.

“Reading has always been a torchbearer for music and we want that to continue.”

The new club night opens at 9pm and closes at 2am. Entry is £3 before 10pm and £4 afterwards.

For more information on the big gig visit theviewareonfire.com