A NON-PROFIT record label in Colchester is set to stage an ambitious four-venue festival of music in aid of local talent, businesses, and charities. 

Fraser Morgan, 26, of Colchester, is the founder of Sad Buds Records and has just announced details of his annual Merry Sadmas event, which will take place in the city on December 1.

Entitled Merry Sadmas 3: The Big Sad Takeover, this year’s event is set to be a spectacle, taking over four Colchester venues for the first time in its three-year history.

From 7.30pm until midnight, talented musicians and bands from the area will play at Coda, Three Wise Monkeys and The Queen Street Brewhouse, while DJs will take over Roots & Grooves Café in Saint Nicholas Passage.

Gazette: Line-up - The poster for the big event on December 1Line-up - The poster for the big event on December 1 (Image: Sad Buds Records)

Gazette: Support - Fraser is a active Colchester-based musician and wants to help shine a light on light on new emerging talent and support Colchester businesses and charities Support - Fraser is a active Colchester-based musician and wants to help shine a light on light on new emerging talent and support Colchester businesses and charities (Image: Fraser Morgan)

Fraser, a talented musician in his own right who has performed since age 15, said: “I’m ecstatic, I’m so excited for it to come to fruition.

“The reason for this year’s expansion is because I want to try and help as many local businesses as I can whilst maximising how many local acts I can support and platform through the event.

Gazette: Gig night - Musician Jack Walsh will be headlining one of the stages for this year's Merry Sadmas 3 eventGig night - Musician Jack Walsh will be headlining one of the stages for this year's Merry Sadmas 3 event (Image: Sad Buds Records)
“There will be donation pots at all the venues, and I’ve started a JustGiving page.

“We want it to be completely accessible to the public, it’s a triangle of support between the businesses, the acts, and the charities."

The free event, which Fraser has organised with the assistance of fellow Sad Buds Records member, Jake Cheek, will raise much needed funds for Colchester LGBTQ+ charity, The Outhouse, as well as Musicians Supporting The Homeless.

The involved venues will be donating a portion of profits to both charities and the night will see the likes of Jack Walsh, Polly Haynes, and This Is Sophie's perform, as well as many other great acts.

Gazette: Gig - The rising Essex band She's In Parties headlined the first Merry Sadmas event back in 2021Gig - The rising Essex band She's In Parties headlined the first Merry Sadmas event back in 2021 (Image: Sad Buds Records)

Fraser, who to date has performed 910 shows across the UK, added: “I know how hard the staff at Musicians Supporting The Homeless work, it has become a really prominent charity in the area, I myself have been homeless and have sofa surfed. It was really hard.

“A lot of my friends in music identity as members of the LGBTQ+ community and The Outhouse is a great local charity. I love the work the charity does and want that area to have more representation and support.

“This annual event is all about helping the underrepresented."

Fraser Morgan will next perform live at Coda on November 24.

Sad Buds Records was founded by Fraser Morgan and Dan Warburton in 2021.

A JustGiving page has been set up for donations for the charities at tinyurl.com/ycpb64k7.