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Music Reviews

Late of the Pier

LIVE: The Walkmen

A good friend of mine once described New York Indie crooners The Walkmen as 'the ultimate wintertime band'. Their music, as beautiful as it is unsettling, brings to mind a vast array of romantic images. To listen is to allow yourself...More

Late of the Pier

LIVE: Black Lips

For one night, and one night only, Brighton's Audio is transformed into a 1950s school dance, filled with 'drapes'. Bad kids, leather clad, jeans clad, excited and sweaty. It's chaos; both band and audience are kicking up a ruckus....More

Late of the Pier

LIVE: Late of the Pier

A steady stream of stripe-shirt clad teenagers, complete with neon paint and glowsticks, makes its way down Madeira Drive and along the seafront towards the rapidly growing queue outside Concorde2....More

Secret Machines

LIVE: Secret Machines

New York's Secret Machines have existed on the fringes of the indie rock scene for a while now, steadily refining their mix of krautrock beats, stomping choruses and a penchant for vaguely psychedelic wig-outs....More

Passion Pit

LIVE: Passion Pit

with neither Passion Pit nor Hockey ever having played a UK show, you could be forgiven for thinking that this Tuesday night show would be on the underside of busy. But then again, these two bands are currently....More

NME Awards Tour

LIVE: NME Awards Tour

It’s a warm midwinter’s night and the North Laines are buzzing with a steady flow of well-dressed teenagers. This can mean only one thing; the NME Awards Tour is in town....More

Das Pop

LIVE: Das Pop

Any band that insists on playing all its shows with big silver balloons spelling its name out on stage is almost certainly guaranteed to entertain. Das Pop, paying their second visit to Brighton...More

Red Stripe Music Award

LIVE: Red Stripe Music Award

Showcasing unsigned musical talent from across the UK, the Red Stripe Music Award offer unsigned artists the chance of securing slots at three of this summer’s most celebrated festivals including Brighton’s very own...More

The Gaslight Anthem

LIVE: The Gaslight Anthem

New Jersey 4 piece The Gaslight Anthem are not your average modern day band. A full on old school good time rock ‘n’ roll band with a sound that is easily comparable...More

Brighton Tattoo Convention

Brighton Tattoo Convention

There was not a horse in sight at Brighton racecourse on this cold, snowy weekend. Replacing them was a colourful crowd of tattooists and the tattoo-ed descending on this uppermost...More

La Roux

LIVE: La Roux

La Roux, despite being tipped for big things just about everywhere, has released just one single, “Quicksilver”, and, before tonight’s gig...More

God Is An Astronaut

LIVE: God Is An Astronaut

One of Ireland's best kept secrets paid their first ever visit to Brighton and an intrepid group of eager attendees witnessed a powerful display of upbeat and inventive instrumental music...More

Iration Steppas

LIVE: Iration Steppas

Originally starting out hosting dances with their own massive sound system, the Iration Steppas have been releasing tunes for over 15 years...More

the blueskies

LIVE: the blueskies

It’s a cold, wet and windy night on Brighton seafront. People on the street are trussed up like Arctic explorers whilst wrestling umbrellas and huddling under bus shelters...More

Of Montreal

LIVE: Of Montreal

A friend affiliated with Digital – the venue set for these American sensations - told me that when Of Montreal’s tour manager came to the club his initial words were...More

Sebastien Tellier

LIVE: Sebastien Tellier

Sebastien Tellier oozes a perverted kind of sexuality as he saunters onto the Concorde2 stage. He emanates a holier-than-thou aura as he fondles his microphone stand, looking like a cracked-out, greasy Jesus...More

Hjaltalin

LIVE: Hjaltalin

The Arctic Circle lengthened its diameter on this January eve with the Icelandic based Hjaltalin landing on the south shores. Having been named "The new Icelandic sensation" amidst their debut release "Sleepdrunk Seasons" one can...More

Ugly Duckling

LIVE: Ugly Duckling

Ugly Duckling never quite became the beautiful hip-hop swans their debut album, “Journey to Anywhere” promised. Numerous label switches and patchy follow-ups meant a chequered ascendancy, but as tonight’s performance...More

Animal Collective

LIVE: Animal Collective

On walking into the heaving first room of Concorde 2, it is evident that tonight's show is so much more than just another gig. The hype that has been built up around new album "Merriweather Post Pavilion" has rocked blogs all over...More

Little Joy

LIVE: Little Joy

There had been so much hype surrounding this gig that it seemed almost impossible that Little Joy could live up to expectations. In a way they were nothing like the expectations: this wasn't a showcase for...More

Joe Strummer Remembrance Night

LIVE: Joe Strummer Remembrance Night

It was December 2002 when punk rock warlord Mr Joe Strummer was found dead in his Somerset home, aged 50. In his prime he was a force of nature. By 22 he was the commanding ambassador for the 1970s...More

The Damned

LIVE: The Damned

It’s the Sunday before Christmas. Outside the Komedia, Brighton’s North Laine is filled with festive spirit but the Komedia is filled with a very different spirit indeed: the spirit of punk rock. Hardly surprising, because along with The Sex Pistols...More

The Ghost of a Thousand

LIVE: The Ghost of a Thousand

If you like your music loud, lethal and relentlessly abusive then you'll no doubt have checked out The Ghost of a Thousand already. However, for those of you who've yet to take those tentative first steps into Brighton's unbelievably rich...More

Wintersleep

LIVE: Wintersleep

There seems to be something of an indie-rock revolution happening in Canada these days, thanks in part to generous public funding for musicians and a thriving, confident domestic scene...More

Herman Dune

LIVE: Herman Dune

Sitting in the Duke of York’s Picturehouse waiting for a band to come onstage makes you feel momentarily dislocated from the present, like you’ve been transported back in time to the heady old days of folk. The old venue has a charming...More

Vivian Girls

LIVE: Vivian Girls

As with fashion, films and art, music fads are cyclical. We’re just coming to the end of our second wave of the eighties, so as is to be expected, now begins the reawakening of the ‘90s. Stuffed into a sold out Freebutt...More

Moriarty

LIVE: Moriarty

From the beautiful horse’s mouth Moriarty sound like: “a velvet couch, a subterranean salt cathedral and the Russian Taiga.” Hailing from everywhere, but especially cherished in France, these bohemians were playing only two nights...More

Jesse Malin

LIVE: Jesse Malin

New York rock troubadour Jesse Malin has been making music for over 25 years. After emerging from the 1980s punk scene in New York, he formed a highly successful solo career, working with the likes of Bruce Springsteen...More

Joan As Policewoman

LIVE: Joan As Police Woman

Joan Wasser is blessed with a wealth of natural musical ability, from violin (which she began to learn aged 8) to her regular solo instruments of piano and guitar. Enticing an enviable crowd...More

Positivity

LIVE: Positivity

Positivity sets out to be a party night for people who love all things hip-hop, funk and soul. And what a job they do. While the majority in attendance were obvious hip-hop fans (recognisable by the abundant baggy jeans and hoodies), it was...More

Alabama 3

LIVE: Alabama 3

The “Alabama Muthafuckin' Three!” (as they are gleefully announced by a small, unknown Welsh lady) are not a band to compromise. Operating decidedly on their own terms throughout their career, their forthcoming album...More

Super Dub Pressure

LIVE: Super Dub Pressure

Clandestine Cultivations, the label and promo company behind Super Dub Pressure, have been serving Brighton a healthy slice of dubstep for about the last five years. The move from SDP’s original...More

Audio Bullys

LIVE: Audio Bullys

Out to promote “Dope Fiend”, their new single (and illustrated comic), Audio Bullys -Tom and Simon plus a guest drummer - popped into Digital as part of a three date tour. Playing before the Audio Bullys, the Nextmen...More

Shearwater

LIVE: Shearwater

Shearwater are one of the hush-hush musical triumphs of the past few years. What began as a side project for Okkervil River stalwarts Jonathan Meiburg and Will Sheff, has evolved from a diversion from the main event...More

Guillemots

LIVE: Guillemots

As part of their “Fishbone for a Drink” tour (aka “weird venue tour”) Guillemots descended on St George’s Church in Kemptown. It’s an interesting place for a gig, but not the weirdest on this tour....More

The Whip

LIVE: The Whip

It may have been over a decade since the baggy-trousered hedonism of Madchester was laid to rest, but The Whip are making sure the coffin lid isn’t closed just yet. As they appear amidst Brian Eno’s dreamy soundscape...More

Fight Like Apes

LIVE: Fight Like Apes

“Levi’s Ones To Watch” seems a precarious title that proposes great things. I was wondering if tonight’s acts would live up to the high standards naturally expected from the crowd. There are only about 10 people watching when Esben...More

Ida Maria

LIVE: Ida Maria

It may just be me, but it’s just impossible not to like Scandinavians. It might be their accents, the way they are so very polite, or maybe purely their general cheery demeanour. In Ida Maria’s case...More

Murcof

LIVE: Murcof

It's not often you get to sink into the Duke's plush crimson seating for an event other than a film and get to luxuriate in some cutting-edge audiovisual stimulation. The music of Murcof will never be...More

Micah P Hinson

LIVE: Micah P Hinson

The alt-country, bad-guy-turned-good cult figure Micah P Hinson, is a modest looking man. Baseball cap, hillbilly plaid shirt, eyes squinting through large, dark framed geek-glasses...More

Mercury Rev

LIVE: Mercury Rev

Mercury Rev in triumphant return shocker! as the headline might scream. And triumphant it was, as psych-pop's elder statesmen delivered a magical audio-visual experience to a fit-to-burst Concorde2 crowd. Treating us...More

Filthy Dukes

LIVE:Filthy Dukes

Have you ever inserted a tube of Mentos into a bottle of Diet Coke? The resulting chemical reaction is a little bit like watching Filthy Dukes live: explosive, effervescent and you’ll want it to start over again as soon as...More

Evil Nine

LIVE: Evil Nine

Consisting of little more than main men Tom and Pat on bass guitars and a keyboard, together with a drummer, Evil Nine took full advantage of Digital’s immense soundsystem...More

Motorhead

LIVE: Motorhead

Being home to one of the biggest and most vibrant musical epicentres in the UK, Brighton is routinely graced by international artists of the highest calibre...More

Hot Chip

LIVE: Hot Chip

Hot Chip are one of the biggest bands of the past few years. Not Girls Aloud- performing-on-X-Factor-big, but after three albums (one of which was nominated for a Mercury Music Award) they’ve gone about gaining...More

Fucked Up

LIVE: Fucked Up

This is the grimiest, smelliest, sweatiest gig I have been to in a long time. And I love it. It’s just how a proper gig should be. You should smell, breathe and feel the music...More

Alphabeat

LIVE: Alphabeat

I have many guilty pleasures: a baby blue dressing gown I wear on cold mornings, watching Laguna Beach when hungover, and listening to Alphabeat embarrassingly loud...More

Cage The Elephant

LIVE: Cage The Elephant

Over the past couple of years, Kentucky punk-rock quintet Cage the Elephant have gained a reputation for their incendiary live shows – on-stage brawling, crowd baiting, unpredictable antics – and their sell-out...More

Eugene Mcguinness

LIVE: Eugene Mcguinness

On a night when the world’s eyes are firmly fixed on the United States of America, there is something special unfolding at the Freebutt and it arrives in the form of modern day troubadour Eugene McGuinness...More

Florence and the Machine

LIVE: Florence and the Machine

A whirling, tumbling maelstrom, Florence Welch throws herself around the stage, flaming red hair flying in all directions. The sheer quality and range of this girl's voice is pant-wettingly rare: several-times-a-century rare. ...More

Deadmau5

LIVE: Deadmau5

Deadmau5, (pronounced “Deadmouse”), is the current darling and poster boy of the progressive house scene. He arrived at Digital tonight in a flurry of hype, fresh from last month’s triumphant set during Matter’s opening week...More

Vessels

LIVE: Vessels

Explosive. Uplifting. Inspirational. These are just a few of the multitude of gushing adjectives I could pluck from my linguistic knapsack when attempting to put into words how I felt after seeing this band play...More

Olafur Arnalds

LIVE: Olafur Arnalds

For such a small country, Iceland seems to produce more than its share of talented musicians. We all know Bjork and Sigur Ros, but how many can say they are down with some of the country's other musical delights...More

Roots Manoova

LIVE: Roots Manuva

The last time I saw Roots Manuva was a short PA at Fabric backed solely by DJ MK, and while containing all the appropriate tunes, Smith seemed to just be going through the motions...More

Mumford and Sons

LIVE: Mumford and Sons

In a year's time you won't be able to escape the sight and sound of Mumford & Sons. Jo Whiley will 'discover' the London folk four-piece. Your uber-cool uncle will be buying their album in Asda....More

Lykke Li

LIVE: Lykke Li

Is this heaven or is this hell? Lykke Li is a woman on the fence, the fence that is surrounding popular music today. Her debut album, 'Youth Novels' has echoed greatness since its release earlier in the year and this is seen most visibly in the...More

Does It Offend You, Yeah?

LIVE: Does It Offend You, Yeah?

The summer festival circuit is over and your album is working its way to the nether regions of the chart. What do you do next? Take one last victory lap of a tour to cash in on every last bit of success you can...More

Cajun Dance Party

LIVE: Cajun Dance Party

I didn?t realise that this gig was a 14+ until I was walking in beneath the Concorde 2 sign. Weirdly, the doors were displaying the exact set times of each band...More

Cajun Dance Party

LIVE: This Will Destroy You

One of the more recent additions to that popular boy?s club known to many by the much over-used ?post-rock? label, This Will Destroy You make the listener a grand promise before a single note is played...More

The Melvins

LIVE: The Melvins

Although never having a strictly mainstream presence in the music scene, the Melvins have enjoyed cult success backed by their dedicated fans for over 20 years...More

Friendly

LIVE: Friendly Fires

Having been touted as "ones to watch for 2008" for some time now, Friendly Fires might feel they have a lot to lose. Having just released their debut album...More

Tricky"

LIVE: Tricky

Tricky has always been something of an enigma, with visits to both ends of the quality spectrum over his career. Past shows have been trumpeted as captivating...More

Ladyhawke"

LIVE: Ladyhawke

In a world where there are endless television "talent" shows looking for the next pop star, I find it totally incomprehensible that seven million people watch ... More

White

LIVE: White Lies

Much hyped in the music press as indie’s next great white hopes (geddit?), West London 3-piece White Lies have a lot to live up to... More

Big

LIVE: Big Beach Boutique

Question: How many people can be crammed into the narrow space that is Madeira Drive? Answer: Too bloody many. Oh, I do like to be beside the seaside... More

The Mirimar Disaster

LIVE: The Mirimar Disaster

The Freebutt was like a glass half empty when Mirimar Disaster came to play their version of heavy metal, on what was the last stop of their tour ... More

Pelican

LIVE: Pelican

It seems like every fantastically loud instrumental band of the moment will be visiting Brighton this autumn: Lite, Russian Circles, This Will Destroy You... More

UK Air Guitar

LIVE: UK Air Guitar Championships

You can guarantee that when the DJ and host utters the phrase: 'the winner is pretty much always the loser' you are in for a great night... More

Wildbirds and Peacedrums

LIVE: Wildbirds and Peacedrums

A highly anticipated show this, as one of Sweden's most original musical exports since The Knife visit The Albert... More

Gotye

LIVE: Gotye

On a brisk Monday evening, still nursing the last vestiges of post-festival blues, it was left to a bunch of chirpy Aussies to bring the sunshine back into our lives... More

The Virgins

LIVE: The Virgins

Prior to embarking on a tour of America along with Black Kids, New York pop-funksters The Virgins have brought their mix of indie and soul to a few venues in Britain... More

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks

LIVE: Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks

It should come as no surprise that the most often overheard phrase at a Stephen Malkmus gig is ?indie icon

Loefah

LIVE: Loufah & DJ Chef

When Krafty Kuts comes to town, naturally most are swayed his way by the sincere possibility of breaks mayhem... More

Black Lungs

LIVE: Black Lungs

As the sweat dripped off the low ceiling at Audio and a heavily-tattooed Wade MacNeil ordered his band to strip to the waist, it was clear Black Lungs were in no mood... More

Beachdown

LIVE: Beachdown

It was a rocky start on Friday - the sky was black with cloud and the wind whipped over the Downs, freezing my hand to the can of Tuborg.... More

One Night Only

LIVE: One Night Only

Tonight's One Night Only show at Concorde2 was a 14+ show as long as there were accompanying parents. Without that admittance, the venue would have been half-empty tonight and, although I have never been to a Smash Hits roadshow... More

Cold War Kids

LIVE: Cold War Kids

A certain glint filled the audience's eyes tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, the Brighton cherry-pop by subdued Americans Cold War Kids... More

At Home By The Sea

LIVE: At Home By The Sea

Concorde2 is ? and has long been - something of a Brighton institution for live music, so a small two-day festival to celebrate its 21st birthday is an entirely appropriate tribute to the joys of alternative music. Read on for At Home By The Sea... More

Bonde Do Role

LIVE: Vodafone TBA featuring N*E*R*D

For those of you not in the know, Vodafone have been putting on gigs all over the country for a while now, bringing some of the biggest names... More

Loop festival

LIVE: Loop

Now in its second year, Loop aimed to bring cutting-edge music and digital art right to heart of the Brighton. With the aid of two impressive stages, Loop turned an otherwise plain bit of grass into such a fun festival atmosphere ... More

Bonde Do Role

LIVE: Bonde Do Role

Brazil's Bonde Do Role is an eight-legged, four-boobed, all-singing, all-dancing tune machine. With a line up consisting of two guys and two girls, these rampant young scamps are notorious in their homeland of Curitiba... More

Hadouken

LIVE: Hadouken!

Concorde2 opened its doors to the mighty neon love children known as Hadouken!, a band hailed as “rather bloody good actually!” ... More

Hot 8 Brass Band

LIVE: Hot 8 Brass Band

Ever wondered what relevance brass instruments have to 21st century music? Mark Ronson-produced schmaltz aside, one would be hard pushed to find a horn section as fresh-sounding and entertaining as New Orleans' magnificent... More

Boutique Theatre

LIVE: Boutique Theatre

The Boutique Theatre troupe have been performing their own brand of titillating and teasing burlesque in a recent sell-out run of Brighton shows and have been touting their flirtatious fun since 2006... More

Ratatat

LIVE: Ratatat

The draw for punters at this busy Friday night gig? Brooklyn-based hip-hop influenced electronic duo Ratatat are in town... More

Buzzcocks

LIVE: Buzzcocks

Back in 1994, I had a ticket to see Nirvana at Brixton Academy, with Buzzcocks in support. Back then, they were already confirmed as a legendary and important band from the English punk movement... More

DJ/rupture

LIVE: DJ/rupture...

A rare mid-week treat for a lucky few Brightonians as Brooklyn's DJ/rupture and MC Jahdan dropped in for a blisteringly tight bassline lesson at the recently improved Freebutt... More

Battles

LIVE: Battles

Battles are a tough proposition for the uninitiated. Whether you tag them with the whole ?math rock? label or not, on early listens they are the aural equivalent of the first time you try to do a simultaneous equation... More

Red Sparowes

LIVE: Red Sparowes

Featuring members either in or linked to Isis and Neurosis, LA supergroup Red Sparowes' gig at The Engine Room was a memorable and rare occasion...More

The Dirty Money

LIVE: The Dirty Money

The Old Blue Last is normally a venue more associated with the skinny jeans and leather jacket brigade of London?s trendy Shoreditch. Enter The Dirty Money... More

The Presets

LIVE: The Presets

When did the Aussies get so damn good at electronic music? France may have Daft Punk and Justice but snapping at their heels come great acts from the land down under... More

Cult of Luna

LIVE: Revenge of Shinobi

Sometimes you have to re-acquaint yourself with the simple pleasures; like watching unsigned bands in small venues. Freed from all the media hype, without the PR machine churning out yards of empty hyperbole...More

Spiritualized

LIVE: Spiritualized

You might think that Spiritualized's albums have passed you by.?If so, I recommend perusing their album artwork if nothing else... More

Melt-Banana

LIVE: Melt-Banana

Yasuko Onuki, Agata, Rika Mm? and Sudoh Toshiaki make up the troops of a Melt-Banana army that has savagely ransacked any terrain they stood on since their formation... More

Cult of Luna

LIVE: Cult of Luna

The Concorde2 was buzzing with people to see Swedish metallers Cult of Luna. There was a sense of anticipation and I was genuinely looking forward to seeing them live... More

Deerhunter

LIVE: Deerhunter

On paper, Deerhunter should be a great band. In fact, the thought of five kids from Atlanta that play ?ambient punk? sounded cool enough for me to make a special effort... More

Atmosphere

LIVE: Atmosphere

Eleven years after their first album, Minnesota?s Atmosphere still shun major records labels yet their latest offering debuted in the Billboard Top 10... More

Mark Lanegan & Isobel Campbell

LIVE: Mark Lanegan & Isobel Campbell

The walk at sunset to St George?s Church from Brighton city centre is a long but pleasant stroll. Leave the bustle of St James? Street behind, get in character and enjoy it... More

Those Dancing Days

LIVE: Those Dancing Days

After seeing Bruce Springsteen for the first time, producer Jon Landau is famously meant to have said: ?I?ve just seen the future of rock ?n? roll?... More

Royworld

LIVE: Royworld

Those who peeled themselves away from the Dome bar long enough to check Royworld out seemed to find them acceptable enough... More

De La Soul

LIVE: De La Soul

Coming to light in 1983 with debut album ?3 Feet High & Rising?, De La Soul have had plenty of time to perfect their live performance... More

Club NME

LIVE: Club NME

The Ghost Frequency have a fresh sound, essential if you're young and want to listen to something that's your own and not what your older brother or sister is listening to... More

We Are Scientists

LIVE: We Are Scientists

It?s the eve of The Great Escape Festival, and what better way to see in the weekend of revelry and frolics than a pre-festival party with those American indie pop rockers We Are Scientists... More

Shapeshifter

LIVE: Shapeshifter

New Zealand?s Shapeshifter are a relatively unknown D&B band comprising of singer P. Digsss, a live drummer and a few others... More

Rolo Tomassi

LIVE: Rolo Tomassi

Rolo Tomassi are one of those bands that will generate polar opinions in every listener; you will either love them or despise them... More

Sad Season

LIVE: Sad Season

Prolonged sound problems accompanied by the dubious task of tumbleweed clearing preceded tonight?s main act Sad Season... More

Centurion

LIVE: Centurion

Despite a good turn-out for this seven-band bill headed by Centurion, the crowd seemed reluctant to enjoy themselves... More

DJ Yoda

LIVE: DJ Yoda

Sampling a variety of film clips and using specialist equipment, DJ Yoda put together tonight?s 90-minute set which allowed him to scratch the actual film footage... More

Anton Barbeau

LIVE: Anton Barbeau

California's self-proclaimed 'cult hero's cult hero' Anton Barbeau plays songs which you might you hear in an American romantic comedy... More

Soulwax

LIVE: Soulwax

Belgian super-producers Soulwax have released three band albums, reworked one of them into dance music, remixed everyone from DJ Shadow to The Gossip... More

Adam Levy

LIVE: Adam Levy

Plucking notes strung with emotions, master of the guitar Adam Levy opened his set without so much as an introduction. Feeling the strings like a well-known lover...More

Plump DJs

LIVE: Plump DJs

On tour to promote forthcoming album ?Headthrash?, Plump DJs have been at the forefront of the breaks scene since 1999... More

Low

LIVE: Low

With the kind of zeal usually reserved for a church wedding, the arrival of Low, three smartly-dressed Americans, was met with an auspicious round of applause from the audience...More

Envy and Other Sins

LIVE: Envy and Other Sins

As The Barfly wasn?t exactly buzzing with people, Envy and Other Sins found themselves battling to generate an atmosphere...More

65daysofstatic

LIVE: 65daysofstatic

Experiments conducted in the 1960s found that exposure to 65 days of white noise would render the listener insane. Never confirming this as inspiration, 65daysofstatic remain guarded about their band...More

Hacienda

LIVE: The Hacienda

Celebrating 25 years since it opened its doors, Concorde2 paid tribute to one of the most important nightclubs ever, Manchester?s The Ha?ienda. ... More

Birdengine

LIVE: Birdengine

Brighton?s Birdengine descended on Komedia to showcase a peculiar brand of strange and dark compositions. XYZ?s Mo Mostowfi lingered in the darkness amongst the many others who showed up to have a listen... More

The Reveals

LIVE: Rough Trade Unsigned

Having missed its opening night, XYZ?s Andrea Fox was pleasantly surprised at the new decor for Brighton Coalition... More

This Will Destroy you

LIVE:This Will Destroy You

Bathed in a sickly blue incandescent light and emitting a looming, swelling feedback, Texan post-rockers This Will Destroy You begin a near-seamless set with allusions to an epic film soundtrack... More

Teenagers

LIVE: Teenagers

Strains of warm chorus-drenched melody emanated from The Blueskies, a Brighton-based quartet of sharply-dressed young gents. Their vocoder vocals were layered over each other innumerably, to the quality of an audio recording... More

The Duke Spirit

LIVE: The Duke Spirit

Is there a more under-rated band in British indie music than The Duke Spirit? On the evidence of this performance, the answer is probably not... More

The Duke Spirit

LIVE: Totally unsigned

Although newly-opened venue The Coalition can hold around 650 people, tonight there were only around 15, including XYZ?s Mo Mostowfi, on hand to see three Brighton bands in ?Totally Unsigned?. .. More

The Subways

LIVE: The Subways

Having spent the best part of the last three years producing a follow-up to their debut album ?Young for Eternity?, The Subways have finally made it back to Concorde2 to stir up some pulses. XYZ?s Dave Drummond witnessed their blistering return... More

Blood Red Shoes

LIVE: Blood Red Shoes

Brighton?s neo-punk duo Blood Red Shoes returned to the coast to headline The Komedia with two hotly-tipped bands in support. XYZ Ambassador James Watts was part of the welcoming committee... More

Rough Trade

LIVE: Rough Trade Unsigned

Kong Promotions and Redhot Promotions have teamed up with Rough Trade to bring us a fortnightly unsigned night at the freshly-unveiled Brighton Coalition. ...More

Stone Gods

LIVE: Stone Gods

As a reincarnation of The Darkness, Stone Gods had a lot to live up to without the theatrical Justin Hawkins on board. Tonight they opened for the mighty Velvet Revolver, and XYZ reporter Nats Spada prayed for no shimmering cat-suits. ...More

Holy Fuck

LIVE: Holy Fuck

So, here?s the recipe for musical shock and awe: First, blend together one thunderous rhythm section that threatens to lay waste to small towns......More

Architects

LIVE: Architects

Arriving late, and digesting home-made curry, I managed to miss the first two bands (Whitemare and Brides), but was reassured that the best was yet to come in this Brighton-heavy hardcore line up....More

Sam Isaac

LIVE: Sam Isaac

It was my first time at Studio bar and I loved its atmosphere; it felt a bit like me and a lot of friends had been invited to a very private party! The room was full so we sat at the front corner ...More

Scouting For Girls

LIVE: Scouting For girls

Ruislip?s Scouting for Girls self-titled debut album has just gone platinum which is somewhat of a rare occurrence in this era...More

Jacob's Stories

LIVE: Jacob's Stories

XYZ?s Mo Mostowfi was expecting a few cups of Fair Trade coffee at St. James?s Redroaster but was instead greeted with the perfect setting for a dark musical feast: an album launch for Brighton-based Jacob?s Stories? ?Undisciplined Art?...More

Foals

LIVE: Foals

The NME thought that the tennis-loving Foals were the stars of last year?s SXSW, and as the US music showcase gets underway again, this year could see the band really take off...More

my device

LIVE: My Device

Brighton rockers My Device need no introduction. If you know your local bands, you would at least be aware that this three-piece were awarded NME?s ?Sony Walkman ...More

Kid harpoon

LIVE: Kid Harpoon & The Powers That Be

Being the final night of Kid Harpoon?s current tour, we are reminded that the ?last date? mentality can dictate either...More

Dirty Socials

LIVE: Dirty Socials

After the extreme weather that had hit the south coast last week, XYZ?s Nats Spada was in need of a drink and a the music of local band to make her smile...More

Sandi Thom

LIVE: Sandi Thom

Scottish singer/songwriter SANDI THOM released her debut album ‘Smile... It Confuses People’ in summer 2006 to great commercial success. She holds a record in Australia for having the longest... More

Skilf

ALBUM: ‘Original Visions’ - SKILF

As an established and prolific MC, SKILF has held down residencies at some of Brighton's most prominent nights, which span several genres, including ‘Devotion’ (drum & bass), ‘Dubpressure... More

I-Koma

LIVE: I-Koma

Although Brighton’s I-KOMA have been around the circuit for a few years, they have only found their feet when settling their current line-up eight months ago. XYZ reporter Mo Mostowfi heard promising reports so went to watch... More

The Levellers

LIVE: The Levellers

It’d be interesting to know what founding LEVELLERS members Mark Chadwick and Jeremy Cunningham would have said twenty years ago if they were asked how long they’d last in an industry so fickle... More

Hot Chip

LIVE: Hot Chip

London indie-electro forerunners HOT CHIP have been in the public spotlight for over four years now. Having released their third album in February ('Made In The Dark' follows their Mercury-nominated 'The Warning')... More

Rob the Rich

LIVE: Rob the Rich

It’s a Friday night and I’m in The Ocean Rooms wondering who thought the psychedelic sixties wallpaper was a good idea when Rob the Rich take to the stage, mercifully drawing my eye as well as my ear... More

LIVE: MGMT

Some of New York’s hippest and hottest bands have been storming Brighton’s shores in recent months and, after Vampire Weekend’s recent gig, psychedelic pop pairing MGMT arrive at Pressure Point to an equal fanfare.... More

Kovak

LIVE: Kovak

On the hunt for some indie-electro shenanigans, XYZ reporter Jen Blakeley headed down to Hector’s House for the re-launch of Club Kovak... More

Desperado

LIVE: Desperado

XYZ reporter Jen Blakeley went to her first country music night to see if the Joogleberry Playhouse could disprove her preconceptions of cowboy hats and line dancing…... More

The Pursuit

LIVE: The Pursuit

Up and coming young band The Pursuit have been busy gigging all around town recently, followed in their tracks by a wave of great reviews and crowd adoration... More

Channel 83

LIVE: Channel 83

Started at the insistence of guitarist, keyboardist and producer DJ Stantz and featuring no fewer than ten members, Channel 83 are an ambitious band, with big ideas... More

Dillinjer

LIVE: The Dillinger Escape Plan

Excited by rumours of light shows, fire breathing and stage dives with guitars smashing into faces, it was with trepidation and some nerve that XYZ’s Nats Spada ventured into The Dillinger Escape Plan at Concorde2... More

Manchester Orchestra

LIVE: Manchester Orchestra

An overwhelmingly spiritual awakening has only affected this non-believer once before. At 2004’s Reading Festival, New Jersey’s Thursday tore the stage to pieces during the opening bars of their monolithic ‘Autobiography of a Nation’... More

Storm Engine

LIVE: Storm Engine

Last Thursday XYZ’s Leo Rahban and Joel Smedley went to Beluschi’s to check out another new and promising band; Storm Engine... More

DJ Gustav

LIVE: Broadcast Loft Party

It’s a brand new underground party space! Louis’s Café has been decked out in the classic disco style, a signature disco ball glittering over glamorous red drapes and funky projections... More

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

LIVE: Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Sam Duckworth was nominated for best solo artist at the annual NME Awards, and having heard that he played a US gig despite being discharged from hospital with bronchitis hours beforehand, our expectations were understandably sky-high... More

Laser Crabs

LIVE: Laser Crabs

Léo Rahban decided to “gig the heck out of it” and headed down to student haunt Hectors House to check out Brighton’s LASER CRABS... More

The Foxes

LIVE: Kula Shaker

After an eight year absence, psychedelica-rockers Kula Shaker are back in the spotlight with a new album and a brand new sound... More

The Foxes

LIVE: The Foxes

Their happy energetic rock is very contagious and their lyrics can only make you laugh.... More

Astrophysics

LIVE: Astro-Physics

It was when Brighton's Astro-Physics burst on stage with '24 hour MC' that things really got interesting.... More

The Couteeners

LIVE: The Courteeners

With the healthy balance of songs that hit you immediately or unravel gloriously with each listen, I'd already made my mind up that I was going to enjoy this gig... More

DJ Krush

LIVE: Dillinja

Dillinja / Ed Rush & Optical / Ink & Keaton @ Concorde 2 then DJ Krush @ The Loft and back again... More

Two Gallants - M Harfield

LIVE: Two Gallants

After two hours and two mediocre bands, a collective restlessness is spreading like the plague around the cinema and a modestly-sized audience glance at watches, shifting noiselessly in their seats... More

Iron & Wine - Emily Watson

LIVE: Iron & Wine

The folk styling of London openers Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit bring to mind a lucklustre Clann Zu and the timbre of Mr. Flynn’s fiddle is lost in the mix, their overall sound fails to lend to the expanse of such a bespoke setting... More

Handsome Family taken by Ted Jurney

LIVE: The Handsome Family

Daniel Knox shuffles quietly to his piano, a small mouth appearing from the centre of his coarse beard. The Komedia’s dark basement is filled with a congregation of chairs, wine glasses and grown-up patrons... More