Friday 20th May 2016 – Free Entry
After an incredible Brightonsfinest debut at The Alternative Escape last year – where we took over the Latest Music Bar to create a legendary day and night of music, featuring the almighty Tigercub back to back with headliners Demob Happy and the Electro Afro Caribbean partyer Kuenta i Tambu who closed the late night slot in emphatic fashion – we are back for a second year and we are going bigger!

If you aren’t aware of what The Alternative Escape is, it’s a FREE festival which runs alongside the busy happenings of The Great Escape Festival, showcasing local and global acts in an array of different spaces. Brightonsfinest.com is taking control of the One Church at Gloucester Place to bring you the best emerging Brighton and international acts (as well as a super special headliner) in an incredible setting with delicious craft wines and beers. The line-up is as follows…

2:00pm Tuff Love – also performing at The Great Escape
The Glasgow trio have long been a favourite of Brightonsfinest and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have them kick off our showcase. Having recently released their debut LP, Resort, which features songs from their previously released EPs (currently only available on the second-hand market for about £50), Tuff Love’s fantastically infectious Lo-Fi rock-pop will live long in the memory and certainly get your toes tapping right from the off.

Website: lostmap.com/tuff-love Facebook: facebook.com/ReallyTuffLove Twitter: twitter.com/reallytufflove

Album Review: Tuff Love – Resort Tuff Love are not tough to love – you hear their music and it just makes you want to get involved by bouncing across the room along with the other Tuff Lovers. Read More

2:45pm grasshopper
With every year that passes, Brighton’s grasshopper evolves into an ever more exciting prospect. Playing a psychedelic post-punk with vocals reminiscent of Ian Curtis and holding an average age of about 16 years, it is mad to think they already have two great releases to their name and are working on their next album with David M Allen (producer of The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, The Buzzcocks etc.). With talent in abundance and potential hitting the roof, great things are coming for this cool four-piece who already show up acts with thrice the experience.

Facebook: facebook.com/grasshoppermusic Twitter:  twitter.com/bandgrasshopper

Interview: grasshopper grasshopper (with a small 'g' please) have been an exciting young presence for a couple of years now, which actually seems quite remarkable when you consider how young they still are. Read More

3:30pm Blick Bassy – also performing at The Great Escape
In the setting of a church, the dreamy music of Blick Bassy and his band (consisting of a cellist and trombonist) will be a truly remarkable experience. Written and sung by Cameroonian Blick Bassy (who also plays banjo) in the Bassa language as a homage to his hero Skip James, Blick’s music was never supposed to see the light of day. Luckily for all of us, he happened to be in a recording studio which backed on to the innovative French label Nø Førmat who overheard his stunning and unique sound. Later in the day he will be supporting Songhoy Blues at The Old Market so see him up close while you can.

4:15pm The Island Club
Michael, Julien, Sam, David and Barney formed to create the sun kissed pop sound that is The Island Club. Blissful, triumphant, and ludicrously catchy, the Brighton band meld inspiration from all corners of the musical audio-sphere. Whether it’s infused with the ethereal psychedelia from Tame Impala or the cool groove of Nile Rodgers’ disco, it always makes for a sound that you just want to hear over and over again.

Website: islandclubofficial.com Facebook: facebook.com/theislandclubuk Twitter: twitter.com/theislandclubuk

Interview: The Island Club Iit looks as if summer might be just around the corner. No better time then, to get acquainted with the music of The Island Club. Read More

5:15pm Moulettes
The Moulettes will be previewing their new album Preternatural and are a remarkably intelligent unit of musicality, sensitivity and adventure, a wild fusion of classical, prog, rock, pop and 'fantasy folk'. Comparisons are nigh on impossible but Bellowhead springs to mind or maybe the crazy alt-prog 70s rockers Gentle Giant. In any case, they make fresh and original music, helmed by the core unit of Hannah Miller, Ruth Skipper, Jim Mortimore and Ollie Austin.

Website: moulettes.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Moulettes/181614811902710 Twitter: twitter.com/Moulettes1

Interview: Moulettes They make fresh and original music, helmed by the core unit of Hannah Miller, Ruth Skipper, Jim Mortimore and Ollie Austin. Read More

6:15pm Holly Macve – also performing at The Great Escape
A rare voice, a rare talent. The Yorkshire born Holly Macve appeared out of nowhere, only to be found performing at an open mic night in a basement bar in Brighton where she resided by Bella Union boss Simon Raymonde. Her folk sound is incredibly delicate and arresting, producing songs that will live with you for the rest of your life. Seeing her preform in the acoustics of the One Church will be very special indeed, and we cannot wait.

7:00pm Sam Jordan And The Dead Buoys
There is so much anticipation surrounding the debut record from Sam Jordan And The Dead Buoys, and it is easy to see why. Having lived and breathed music from a young age, Sam Jordan crafted his sound and earned his stripes busking up and down the UK. What this has resulted in, is a unique alternative folk sound which explores the desolation and paradise of mankind. Sam’s songs create an emotional roller-coaster and with a voice that captures everything that is so great about Benjamin Clementine and Anthony And The Johnson’s sound, he is sure to be your new favourite Brighton artist.

Website: http://www.officialsamjordan.com Facebook:facebook.com/samjordanmusic

Interview: Sam Jordan Meeting Sam Jordan for a beer was like meeting an old friend after years of not seeing them. He is a man who’s youthful charisma and unique ability to follow his nose has lead him all around the country. Read More

7:45pm Lebeaux
You know there is something special about a Brighton band when everyone keeps mentioning their name and yet they don’t have any recordings available to listen to. Brightonsfinest.com saw an unexpected performance from Lebeaux at the Latest Music Bar earlier this year and it was utterly astounding! Fronted by Turrell Lebeaux and his spell-binding vocal range, the bands irresistible soulful sound, needless to say, left us stunned.

Facebook: facebook.com/Lebeaux-533293416827688

Interview: Lebeaux Lebeaux has been gaining ground on the local scene: anyone who’s witnessed a concert will understand how it is that the band is already booked on the main stage of a certain local festival. Read More

8:30pm Fragile Creatures
Having recently released their debut album …And Other Wild Things on Brightonsfinest Presents, 2016 has already been a phenomenal year for the mighty Fragile Creatures, gaining fantastic reviews across the board. Think of the divine lyricism of Pulp matched with the exceptional song craft of Franz Ferdinand, and you will agree with us that this Brighton band are England’s saviours of britpop! Catchy rhythms, glorious melodies, clever storytelling – what’s not to like!

Website: fragilecreatures.co.uk Facebook: facebook.com/fragilecreatures Twitter:  twitter.com/fragilecreature

Spotlight: Fragile Creatures They are on a mission to restore Britain’s reputation for original pop, their catchy melodies, tight harmonies, clever arrangements and story-telling lyrics Read More

9:15pm The Magic Gang
Bringing music “for your mind, body and spirit”, The Magic Gang have the world at their feet, capturing hearts and winning fans wherever they go. Whether it’s playing the Maida Valle Studios for BBC Radio 1 or headlining the Roundhouse (Camden) as part of the Roundhouse Rising Festival, you can be sure they will bring their musical expertise and bucket loads of fun with them. Having gained an already legendary status for their shows in Brighton and throughout the UK, we are extremely excited to have these four local lads takeover our stage.

Facebook: facebook.com/TheMagicGang Twitter: twitter.com/_TheMagicGang

Interview: The Magic Gang There are a few groups that people keep mentioning, one of them is The Magic Gang. Formed in Brighton, they’ve been building an ever rising local fan base and after a very successful mini tour around the UK. Read More

10:15pm Los Albertos
Last time the Brighton six-piece played our seaside town, joyous pandemonium filled a sold-out The Haunt. With twelve years of experience, including frequently playing Glastonbury Festival, their high energy sound which straddles ska, punk, funk and reggae makes them the ultimate party band. And as if they needed another reason to bring the house down, on the same day Los Albertos will be releasing their long awaited This Is A Serious Party EP on Brightonsfinest Presents. This is going to be some celebration!

Facebook: facebook.com/los.albertos

Spotlight: Los Albertos Los Albertos are a six-piece ensemble of ska-dance protagonists who’ve been transmitting their hi-energy tunes to the nation since their formation in 2002. Read More