Unplugged V
On 28 February 2026, Grinders & Shakers returned to Studio 101 in Deptford for the fifth edition of Unplugged — an evening dedicated to live music, open mic performance and the simple experience of bringing artists and audiences together in the same room. Unplugged V continued what has become an important part of the Grinders & Shakers journey: creating opportunities for performers to step onto a live stage and for audiences to discover music and talent in an intimate setting.
Held at Studio 101, 1 Resolution Way, Deptford, SE8 4NT, the event brought the focus back to what live performance is all about. No distance between the artist and the audience, no need to rely on a recording or screen — just performers, music and people gathered to experience it together.
The heart of Unplugged V was the stage.Live performance gives artists the opportunity to present their music in its most direct form. It is where an artist can communicate their sound, personality and creativity while responding to the atmosphere created by the audience.
For some performers, these opportunities are part of building experience and confidence. For others, they offer a chance to reach people who may be hearing their work for the first time. That is one of the reasons Grinders & Shakers continues to create events around live performance. The platform is not only about putting on events; it is about creating moments where talent meets opportunity.
The open mic remained a central part of the evening, giving performers the chance to take the microphone and share their talent. Open mic stages have always played an important role in live music culture.
They allow artists to test new material, develop their stage presence and perform in front of an audience without needing to wait for a major headline opportunity. For the audience, the experience can be just as valuable. An open mic can introduce people to performers they have never seen before and create unexpected discoveries throughout the night.At Unplugged V, that spirit of participation remained part of the event's identity.
More Than a Performance
An event like Unplugged is about more than the individual moments on stage. For an artist, it can be another opportunity to perform in front of a live audience. For someone attending for the first time, it can be an introduction to a new performer. For returning members of the Grinders & Shakers community, it becomes another opportunity to meet, connect and experience live music together.
These different experiences are what give the event its character. Music brings the room together, but the people around the music are equally important. Artists meet audiences. Performers meet other creatives. New connections can begin from a simple conversation after a performance. That sense of connection is at the centre of what Grinders & Shakers is building
Unplugged V was the fifth edition of a series that has continued to give live performers a place within the wider Grinders & Shakers platform. Each edition becomes part of the archive — another date, another stage and another group of people brought together through performance. The fifth edition also reflected the continued development of Grinders & Shakers as a platform built around music, artists, audiences and opportunities. From live events to the wider creative community surrounding them, the aim remains to create spaces where talent can be presented and experienced properly.