'Boxwars' is a concept-event involving cardboard-clad 'warriors' who engage in gladiator-style fight-performances, in music-club and outdoor contexts. Created by cardboard enthusiasts in Melbourne in 2001, Boxwars UK was transposed to Edinburgh in 2006 by Demian Deadly. He and friends developed the concept within the punk and 'DIY' cultural scene, integrating live music/ club enviroments, as well as outdoor events such as flash-mob-style imromptu battles, and Box-Car Racing.

In Edinburgh, at different venues and over 20 self-organised events, a community of participants has developed who 'fight' each other in personally-customised waste-cardboard costumes, with cardboard weapons. As part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest event included 74 'boxwarriors' and a crowd of around 250.

As a cultural phenomena, the collective is gathering media attention and interest from press and media channels, including coverage from Belgian-based Che Magazine, Dazed and Confused, Front Magazine, as well as local and national British media. Recently the Edinburgh Boxwars collective were filmed as part of a documentary by London based production company Somethin' Else, commissioned by British commercial television channel ITV2. The documentary takes a 'reality-tv' perspective to Boxwars club events, casting two people who have never taken part in Boxwars before, to experience the creative process and subsequent chaotic destruction of their cardboard creations.

Promotion of unsigned punk bands in club events, and grassroots music distribution/ syndication is an important accompanying practice to the 'Boxwars' events. The media-savvy coordinators of Boxwar UK events have successfully combined both mainstream and participatory media to promote fringe cultural grassroots activity. Common to all is the use of popular online social-media and network platforms, to facilitate audience development and community sustenance.
http://www.boxwars.co.uk | http://www.myspace.com/boxwars