Dead Good Venues

VR / Immersive

Celebrating grassroots music venues through interactive VR.

Dead Good Venues is dedicated to preserving and celebrating independent music spaces, past and present.
This first prototype brings The Duchess, Leeds back to life in fully immersive VR. More than a documentary, this interactive experience lets you explore at your own pace—discovering artefacts, interviews, and archival materials gathered from those who lived it.
Inside the virtual space, you’ll find:

• Scanned artefacts from owners and gig-goers
• Interviews with promoters, musicians, and fans
• Photo & video galleries capturing the venue’s legacy​
• Digital recreations of posters, magazines, and artwork
• A motion-captured gig in an exact recreation of The Duchess stage

This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a living archive, celebrating the power of grassroots venues while warning of the cultural loss that comes when they disappear.
Strap in, explore, and share in the memories that shaped a city’s music scene.

Funded by XR Stories.
Dedicated website found here

Huge thanks to John Keenan, Patsy Matheson, Denis Copeland, Tony Woolgar, Paul Cockroft, James Hindle, Andrew Bannerman-Bayles, Mark Stokes, Mike Farmer, Ed Crisp, Delicious Clam, and Honk.