Brightonsfinest are once again taking over the breathtakingly beautiful St Mary’s Church on Saturday 19th May, during The Great Escape Festival, for another great day of music. After the success of last year’s Alternative Escape showcase, we are excited to bring you the full line-up that boasts to be our best yet. It’s free entry to all and features ten fantastic emerging as well as established acts from Brighton and further afield. Check out the line-up below.
SJ Brett, Charles Watson, Dog In The Snow, Thyla, Trudy and The Romance, FUR, Her’s, Wild Front, The Fiction Aisle, Phoria.
14:20 – 14:50 SJ Brett
Having had some success with Brighton band The Mojo Fins a few years ago, Stephen Brett is back as SJ Brett along with a new band and some new songs. His delicate songwriting and emotive lyrics are a rare talent, and those who saw his spellbinding set at the Rialto Theatre in March will know how incredible SJ Brett will be kicking off the proceedings in the church.
15:10 – 15:40 Charles Watson
Charles Watson has been drip feeding us with beautiful sounding treats over the past half a year. The day of this show will in fact be the day after he releases his debut solo album, Now That I’m A River [Moshi Moshi Records], and what we’ve heard has sounded glorious. Not surprising considering Charles Watson’s pedigree, being one half of Slow Club and a member of The Surfing Magazines.
16:00 – 16:30 Dog In The Snow
Long have we been fans of the Brighton-based singer/songwriter Dog In The Snow. Her debut album, Consume Me (released last October), is one we have been enjoying at Brightonsfinest, showcasing her experiments with existential-driven lyrics and layers of off-kilter sounds, which create a peripatetic musical landscape. It’s glorious, ethereal electronic balladry which will sound exquisite in the church.
16:50 – 17:20 Thyla
If you ask any music lover in Brighton about what bands are exciting them at the moment, you can put your money on Thyla being one of the names on the list. Seamlessly stepping into the gap left by past Brightonian successes such as The Magic Gang, Yonaka and Fickle Friends, Thyla bring a refreshing sound that feels like it’s been in our lives for decades. They are a mightily impressive unit with a big future ahead of them, and we couldn’t be more delighted to have them on the bill.
17:40 – 18:10 Trudy and The Romance
Our love for these Liverpudlian crooners has been a long affair – hearing their songs of a love torn youth captured our hearts early on and we still cannot get enough. The end of 2017 saw the release of the Junkyard Jazz EP, showcasing more of their song writing prowess and sound for yesteryear that seems to be getting better and better with time.
18:30 – 19:00 Fur
Having hit a massive milestone by selling out The Haunt back in February, no mean feat by any touring band, Brighton’s FUR are the band that keep giving us gems. Only three singles to date, but all continue to receive hundreds of thousands of listens. When it only takes one chorus for you to be singing the next, you’re onto a winner and the iconic sound of FUR is one that is sure to stay around for a long time.
19:20 – 19:50 Her’s
Soon to be the oldest couple in dream-pop, Steven Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading make up the duo dream team Her’s. With their a performance comprising of just their voices and guitars, as well as a cardboard cut out of Pierce ‘007’ Brosnan behind a drum machine. They create lush lucid 80s-tinged excellence, will have you bouncing around the room or holding your loved one close. It’s unique and it’s great!
20:10 – 20:40 Wild Front
Wild Front have developed a strong following over the past two years and it’s incredible to see how an act can evolve from potential to incredible. They have certainly raised the bar high for indie-pop bands to try and follow, creating music that is interesting, impressive and infectious but, most importantly, it’s like nothing we’ve come across in the genre. Last time we saw them live, we were astounded by their show – add the stunning setting of St Mary’s Church and they will be astounding.
21:00 – 21:30 The Fiction Aisle
The brainchild of Thomas White, one half of the Mercury Prize-nominated The Electric Soft Parade and guitarist in Brakes, The Fiction Aisle have been winning hearts all around the country since the release of their debut album Heart Map Rubric [Chord Orchard/Brightonsfinest Presents] back in 2015. This year they released the equally great Jupiter, Florida, their third LP, which combines their jazz-tinted lounge sound with yet more melancholic brilliance. Having headlined last year’s event in spectacular fashion, we are thrilled to have The Fiction Aisle back in the church again.
21:50 – 22:30 Phoria
Phoria have been busy working in the studio for many months developing their new material. Playing their first show since August last year they will be performing their new music for the first time. For now, their gorgeous 2016 debut, Volition, lives strong in the memory and continues to receive millions of listeners on Spotify each month. This will be a super special performance from a local act is the most fitting venue. A great headline band to close our Alternative event.