Hot Tips
Grasscut
A duo possessing all the credentials one would expect to find on the
soundtrack to a spooky, dazed and confusing dream, it should come as no
surprise that The Sunday Times deemed Grasscut ghostly and weird. More
astonishing, though, is the inclusion of "enveloping" in that description;
and, more astonishing still, is that it's completely true. Grasscut's
melodies are never compromised by their spookiness; in fact, the
amalgamation of the two produces something so fascinating you'd be a fool to
miss it.
The Agitator
"We're sick of just settling for the same old solutions," Derek Meins howls
over the beat of 'Let's Start Marching', and with that I'm tempted to
develop and live by an alternative understanding of his words. After all,
The Agitator could perhaps be the most innovative of all The Badger's hot
tips, whipping together a mixture of vocals and beats so refreshing that it
suddenly seems we should at least try and unite against the repetitive
drones of indie pop.
The Valentines
deservedly making an impact on Brighton's live music scene with their unique fashion and unforgettable punk pop sound.
Educated Animals
Perfecting their alternative rock sound.
Duke Raoul
A fantastic example of the level of talent Brighton bands display, their songs of love, ambition and other aspects of life
Restlesslist
Use everyday sounds, old video recordings and random instruments
The Beautiful Word
A fantastic live act with stunning vocals and an array of interesting instruments.
Restlesslist
Cool, weird and surfy, with attitude and a debauched Calypso sound
Grasscut
Quirky experimental electronics composed on a laptop that has travelled around the country! A montage of England's motorways, fields, people and gadgets
The Bardo
Dirty, alternative rock and roll with a bluesy Americana sound reminiscent of Grinderman!
Half Sisters
Catchy songs that will appeal to everybody. Things are kept simple with a poppy sound created using ukelele, flute, jazz drums and vocal harmonies
Alice
big and bouncy glam indie with hints of ska from this good-to-look-at six piece
The Morning Orchestra
uplifting and jaunty indie pop from this fresh-faced foursome complete with ukulele!
Grasscut
soundtrack textures combined with ambient-techno glitch, samples, melodies and some snazzy suits from this Ninja Tune signed duo
Luke Jones
lovely, heartfelt and promising singer songwriter
Cate Ferris
Really rather good singer songwriter with a folky bent, some original tunings and a warm glow.
Gentlemen Starkey
Nick Cave meets Gun Club - dynamic, dark and rocky
The Johanna Harman Project
sensational new soul voice whos upcoming project is gonna knock your socks off
Walker
marvellous and huge orchestral soundscapes - touching, moving, life changing stuff
Breakin Bear
A very clever combo of singer guitar with some wicked beats and live mixing.
You'd struggle to get two bands much more different than The Beautiful Word and Saw Gang Buzz but both are excellent. The Beautiful Word combine pure sugar sweetness with glockenspiels and smiles and Saw Gang Buzz are for you if you love Josh Homme. Both have done some of the most memorable sets at Club NME this year.
Please use this opportunity to see Grasscut, I know it will be rammed to get there early, have a little dance and count just how many things they play when you’re there. Then finish the night off with Jonny Loves House, does what it says on the tin, perfect house with a great vocal.
Restlesslist
As you would expect from a band whose song names include Butlin Breaks and Mint Sauce, Restlesslist deliver ridiculously uplifting fun-time brand music
The Half Sisters
Sisters Isadora, Freya-Rose and half sister Fifi (just in case you were wondering about the name) make the kind of lush pop music that, at first listen, sounds unequivocally uplifting. But listen more closely and youll uncover lyrics about death and skeletons hidden below the surface. This is one three-piece thats not to be missed.
The Pangs
It’s no surprise to learn that The Pangs’ influences include Prince and early Jacko. Like their idols, they seem blessed with the innate ability to write infectious, simple pop tunes.
Hereldeduke
Serving up tunes that offer a fascinating blend of unexpected orchestral partnerships and intricate vocals.
Anyone wandering round the Lanes at the weekend will have spotted The Half Sisters bringing a bit of summery technicolor into shoppers lives with their ukuleles, percussion and three-part harmonies. If they bring half as much energy to the stage as they do for their street gigs they will be unmissable.
Instrumentalists Restlesslist are probably Brightons best kept secret - playing live they attract some of the citys best musicians, including Brakess Tom White on drums and percussion.
The Playground is very excited about the abundance of promising talent which is emerging from and being nurtured in Brighton. This year’s Brighton Live should not pass you by without checking out The Agitator, quite possibly the most original, entertaining and totally bananas act we’ve seen all year. We would also recommend the ramshakley, brooding and explosive Gentleman Starkey, the sublime and charming pop melodies of Gloria Cycles, the zany, instrumental genius that is Restlesslist and the ridiculous girlie giggliness of Half Sisters - just to mix things up.
Check out The Prjct Myhm who are fast becoming the best band in Brighton. Hereldeduke and The Pangs are doing some exciting things and its well worth rocking out to The Crave before marveling at the mad skills of the extraordinary JFB.
Wise Children are not to be missed (Wednesday, 9pm). Lyrically speaking their music deals with themes of alienation, and suicide and their delicate indie folk sound is a perfect fit with the grandeur of the venue and the band who are to follow them on the bill- Brightons venerable Mojo Fins. Although Wise Children are still relatively new on the scene theyve already garnered some impressive reviews. As well as myself, Radio 1's Huw Stephens is a fan and Southscene predicts that Wise Children have everything they need to achieve very big things.
