I have a friend who, over the last ten years or so, asks me at least once a year, “Have you seen Afro Celt Sound System live?” to which I answer “no” and he tells me I really must. So when I saw they were playing the Dome it seemed…
Four years ago, Courtney Barnett turned up for The Great Escape, playing well past midnight. For me, it was the highlight of the festival, her infectious exuberance matched by the quality of songs at her disposal. Then, although very much the singing frontwoman, she was on the left of the…
As time goes by, its becoming easy to forget just how bloody massive Britpop was before it all imploded as dramatically as it burst into the mainstream. Not just in the music charts, which were dominated by it in all its various strands from Blur to Robbie, Union Jack flags…
Arriving in Brighton on the last leg of a victory lap around the UK following the critical acclaim to their long-awaited debut, You Say I’m Too Much, I Say You’re Not Enough, Estrons provoked absolute scenes at the Green Door Store. Like all of the best things in life, it…
Canadian Rose Cousins has the voice of an angel, so the Unitarian Church is the perfect venue for her. Her vocal fills the room as does her personality. Between songs she holds conversation comfortably about herself and her music. She also asks where she can get the best Full English…
Just over a year ago, we witnessed a band at Komedia Studio Bar that truly captured the imaginations of teenage girls and drove them into a state of euphoria. It’s fitting, then, that a year on, a band that supported them on tour has accomplished exactly the same thing in…
There is hardly anyone in the room to watch opening act, Brighton-based duo, Instant Bin. With foundations firmly in punk-rock, they deliver a short, fast-paced set that seems to please the few people watching. Drummer, Liv, and bassist, Harry, seem sweet and what they lack in musical diversity they make…
Some people bemoan a lack of artistic development in record labels these days. This is hogwash, of course. For sure, it may be a tad easier to get dropped too quickly, but in reality it has always been that way. Back in 1962, Bob Dylan’s debut album shifted only 5,000…
There was a time when Pretty Vicious were touted as the UK’s next big rock band. Championed by Huw Stephens, as well as some huge shows with the likes of Stereophonics in their native Wales, the band swiftly signed a record deal with Virgin EMI. Then, everything went quiet. They…
There are many beautiful things to love about Brighton, especially when it comes to music. One such thing is that whenever a particular buzz band comes to town, on a tour that has seen them play bigger venues in the likes of London and Manchester, they’re always squeezed into a…