Mutations Festival Nov5-9 2024

Following the success of DRILL in 2014 (co-hosted and curated by Wire), Mutations was founded in 2015 as a two-day multi-venue event, bringing to Brighton some of the most interesting new music acts from around the world. In form and structure, it’s a bit like the more mainstream, corporate friendly The Great Escape. But in content it decidedly exists at the edges.

Hence the name, Mutations, an apt one-word descriptor of the ever changing nature of what we might have once called rock’n’roll. There are no new genres, just a mutating force of music that takes in anything from everywhere, in forming new sounds and structures, that defy easy categorisation, albeit it still sounds like good ol’ rock’n’roll!

This year’s event takes in nine grassroots venues, and over 100 acts, over five days. Of the many possible highlights (of course, it’s you who will eventually choose your highlights!) Irish band Sprints have been tasked with curating a line up for the Tuesday at Chalk, which they’ll be headlining, and which will also feature Brighton’s own Lambrini Girls on turntable duties in-between acts. If alt-rap and future grime takes your fancy, then the Brit-winning Casisdead is in town, heading a very strong bill of the otherworldly that includes Grove, Elijah, Jammz, and Novelist. While Arooj Aftab’s unique blend of jazz, pop and Asian classical offers a more serene musicality

Of the more established acts playing this year’s festival, Warmduscher make a welcome return, while veteran BC Camplight continues to enjoy a late renaissance. And then there is the fast rising rap punk sensations Kneecap, and many other exciting and inspiring acts to be seen, including The Oriellles, Snapped Ankles, Ugly, Font, Adult DVD, Vlure, Hot Wax, Our Girl, Heartworms, Freak Slug, Keg, and many more.

Preview by Jeff Hemmings

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