Tonight for Ukulele fans comes a special show from The Ukulele Research and Development Society (T.U.R.D.S). They are, we suspect, less scientific than the name suggests. This evening they'll be presenting Brighton's own Bobby McGees + Special Guests, with open mic slots available until 9.15pm, "this promises to be a night to remember."
Bored of Brighton is has been having a bash at learning the Ukuele and is quite excited by this prospect. It's all a bit fun and if you're not convinced by the lovely above image, we recommend you check out a brilliant MGMT cover by the Ookes of Hazard.
Time: 7:30pm Cost: £2/free to performers (slots will be limited to arrive early to avoid disappointment) Location: Latest Music Bar
We accidentally listed this last week. It's TODAY though, so if you'd like to win two tickets for you and a friend, email boredofbrighton@gmail.com with your name! Winners will be picked by this afternoon and you'll be added to the Guestlist!
Without further ado, a description of tonight's brilliant event:
'First come first served' tonight as The Mystery Jets play a pop up show as part of the Chevrolet Spark Unscheduled Tour. The Mystery Jets pop in and around Brighton and tonight's somewhat exclusive (in grand terms) on the end of the Pier (sea-end) should be lovely. Yes yes, pop up's meant to have been done to death but this is a bit cool.
They'll be playing at Horatio;s Bar, "a traditional English pub with sea views like no other as it's at the end of the of Brighton Pier." Only 200 guests will be able to go to this and the event promises new swanky tracks from their third album. It sounds good even if solely for its pop-up novelty, and the band are rather lovely acoustically too (they did a nice stint in the Sussex Campus bar three years ago which was ace).
If you'd like to go (without entering our competition), you'll need to send off a quick 'get me in' type email here. You can find more info on Facebook and Twitter
All Free! Huzzah. Takes place at 7pm. If you want free guestlist entry on this exclusive gig, email boredofbrighton@gmail.com
Today, thanks to a bout of over-enthusiasm at Bored of Brighton Towers, we present a second suggestion for tonight's activity. Should you decide against tonight’s Eno show, we can also suggest an offering at the Freebutt which is that nicest of coincidences; a pair of local bands whose relative obscurity in no way implies that they are underwhelming, united with an international band of significant and deserved acclaim.
The local heroes are Bored of Brighton faves Foxes! (who play charming, high-spirited indie-pop which blends C86 jangle with ramshackle slacker-rock) and the recently relocated Hornblower Bros (whose equally ramshackle, equally exuberant pop recalls a meeting point betwixt The Coral and Half Man Half Biscuit). Both are worth the entry price either combined or individually – small, enthusiastic acts at least as good as more famous peers.
So make sure you get there early; missing either the onstage dynamism of the Hornblowers or the quirky, affectionate interplay of Foxes! would be a mistake. And if, like us, you’re a fan of wonderful and unlikely contrasts, make sure you appreciate the pleasure of watching Foxes!’s singing drummer, Kayla, whose loose, relaxed (and very effective )style is a perfect counterpoint to the experience of watching Quasi, the indie super-group headlining tonight.
Previously a two piece consisting of Portland legends Sam Coomes and Janet Weiss (who have between them played with the likes of Elliot Smith, Stephen Malkmus and, of course, Weiss’s old band Sleater Kinney), they have recently expanded to a three-piece and with the addition of Joanna Bolme, promise a night of forceful, noisy indie rock. The centrepiece is, of course, Weiss’s drumming. She’s a powerhouse – in my opinion the best, most interesting, drummer in alternative rock; combining an unbuttoned, unforced approach with tight, counter-instinctive precision. She makes any band she plays in at least 30% better – so given Quasi are already very good, you need to go.
The show is tonight at the Freebutt; doors open at 7.30 and it's £9.
Two free things today, both brilliant. If you're near the bandstand between 2-4pm we heartily recommend catching Django Spears busking for charity on Brighton Bandstand. They do lovely ska style versions of Mousse T's Horny. It's glorious. Facebook page's - picnic and dancing swimwear compulsory. A bit like Gogol Bordello.
The biggest thing today meanwhile is the circus: "It's circus, but not as you know it..." Yes, it's noisier for a start. No Fit State have been making noise and practicing for three or four days and tonight's their final and free performance to the public. We've heard a loud version of Popcorn and they've currently got FGhost Town on the go. Brilliant little live band with some sort giant double bass. Correct me if I'm wrong.
"NoFit State's mission is to become the circus everyone wants to join. Now with Park Life you can! Taking up a week-long residency on Brighton's Level, NoFit State circus company ditches the big top, rips up the rulebook and invites you to get involved. With a spectacular aerial circus playground and open house programme of taster sessions, rehearsals and workshops, NoFit State will be working with local artists and community groups to develop new acts and routines. From live music jams to bicycle ballets and displays of extreme sports - everything will be on show and up for grabs. Then, as the week draws to a close, all the elements come together in one largescale open-air circus performance in Park Life - The Finale on Sun 23 May at 9pm."
Today Anagrams, a Brighton-based band with lots of lovely reviews play in town at the Prince Albert before they head off to Somerset to play the Beekstock Festival later this year. Surprisingly unsigned, they're toted as much more than a demo band already and, if they continue in this way, could really take off. (-BBC South:Live) The Source, for one, loves them, calling them ""jaw-dropping" and "mind-blowing" and they've supported The Phantom Bnad, Wooden Shjips (brilliant at The FreeButt this month), The Joy Formidable and the Antlers.
"Rather intelligent, rather good alternative English indie rock, touches of Stone Roses in there with their falling Autumn Leaves, touches of lots of things actually, mostly about good songs and refined sounds, a band with a little more depth and a touch of indie rock class to them, lot of body and soul to their guitar rock.
They’re from Brighton and this early shot is well worth your time, sounds like someone should put this out as a single, they’re a little bit more than a demo band already, Saving Up is particularly good in a brooding broken hearted tearing up Elbow kind of way." - Organ Magazine
So, very good we conclude. For a listen find them on myspace or last.fm. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter @Anagrams_band. Find a nice video of them rehearsing and dancing here.
Tonight you can catch them at the Prince Albert where they're playing with 900 Spaces.
Find tickets here. Time: 8pm Location: 48 Trafalgar St Map: here
Today a very rare UK show from the Kranky signed sound artist as we've following Resident's gushing about the arrival of Tim Hecker. He's playing tonight at the Freebutt and it's their gig of the week, horray!
The Canadian based sound artist is making a very special appearance in Brighton & it's going to be a real treat - no doubt! His works have been described as “structured ambient”, “tectonic colour plates” & “cathedral electronic music”. Essentially, he focuses on exploring the intersection of noise, dissonance & melody so if you're a fan of Fennesz, Belong or Loscil, you'll most definitely want to be heading down to the Freebutt on Monday night.
P.S. Today if you're a Sussex student you can catch the Dissertation Dash to Mandella Hall from 12-4pm. You'll notice it from the nervous looking people carrying fluttery bits of paper and there's always that terrifying brave guy who runs it at 3:58. Love Music, Hate Racism music thing will be on campus and Beat and Chips are doing a dancing drinking sort of business later in town as they normally do.
Today Resident, the infamously indie toting record store, is repeating their Record Store Day as part of the Brighton Festival of Shopping and as part of a country-wide phenomenon. As an "awesome celebration of all that's great about record stores" it's immensely busy and hectic (perhaps less-so in the shoe-gazing section). Excuse our cheap jokes.
Importantly, a number of titles are being produced for early release exclusively for the day and will be hitting only 100 shops, so if you're a music fan you'll probably want to politely queuing/rudely elbowing (depending on your shopping style) for some great CDs.
• As you can see, some of the releases are stupidly limited & with over 100 shops taking part, you can see that there won’t be a lot to go around of some of these titles. You’ll have to get up early & get yourself down here for opening time (9am) if there are things you are desperate to get your hands on – the early birds were very much the winners last year. • These RSD titles will only be available in the shop – no releases are being sold online or as mail order for this event • There are strictly no preorders / reservations for anyone – no matter how hard you plead! • Only 1 copy of any release per customer
On a personal note, it might be a good opportunity to grab that new Blur track titled "Fool's Day", the first track from the group on over seven years, that's been hitting the press all week.
Tonight we've voting for Komedia' Jazz Club. Jazz, we do not know much about, but we're very good at drinking and appreciating it regardless. We hope you are too. Every Friday the Brighton Jazz club takes place in the cosy studio bar featuring "an unparalleled collection of powerhouse performers and a wide selection of the jazz world’s most extravagant talents."
Tonight Jake Goss's Banyan take the stage with Kit Downes on piano, Sam Lasserson on bass, and James Maddren on drums. Tsh tsh, tsh tsh tsh.
The Jazz club closes during the May Festival, so we're popping down this month for an investigation. Catch it tonight for £12. Doors at 8:30pm with music until 11pm with tickets available from The Dome Box Office (01273 709709), and online through www.brightonticketshop.com or alternatively on the door.
Finally, with the rain gone from last night (for now) we can advise a lunchtime classical music recital at St Nicholas' Church in the realm of Dyke road. Perfect if you happen to live/work nearby, it totes itself as "a perfect break" to have lunch. They advise bringing own sandwiches, but will providing music in the form of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater from Michele Roszak, Mzzo Soprano, Robert Chavner, Countertnor and Jonathan Leight. For non-musically minded types, it involves a piano.
It's on at 12:30 at St Nicholas Church, Dyke road - find it on the map here. - and wonderfully it's all free.
Communion, the musical collective formed by members of Mumford and Sons, typifies, according to the likes of the Independent, the nu-folk scene blossoming "in recent years in London and around the country built on like-minded musicians supporting each other and putting on gigs together."
Tonight's gig brings a mixed bunch with the headline act of Pope Joan and support from Rob the Rich, Cha-Cha, Kyla La Grange, and Common Tongues.
Pope Joan, you may recognise from their splatterings all over the cover of The Source magazine. Brighton-formed, and banding about "as part of the new wave of exciting and experimental British art-pop" they describe themselves as "ambient walls of processed guitar noise, furious drum lines and quirky 8-bit synth keyboards are all underpinned by an incredibly demanding pop sensibility."
With a slight personal aversion to anything resembling 'Rob Da Bank', the bands are all suprisingly and nicely good. Rob the Rich, if you investigate their MySpace are a jolly, enthusiastic and lightly brash sort of music gaggle, and perhaps my favourite of the lot.
Kyla La Grange, another name that sounds barely reminiscent of 90s rap culture, is unsurprisingly anything but. A gorgeous blonde sort of lady, says about herself: "Sometimes i can't sleep because there are songs in my head. I love people with smiling eyes," whilst citing Cat power and Leonard Cohen amongst her many influences.
Poppier but pleasing are Cha-Cha, sniffing shoes in the above video. "A fellowship of individually talented songwriters, initially brought together by a phonographic love for The Virgins, The Strokes, The Police and Phoenix, have finally emerged from their London hideout to introduce themselves. Having crafted what the self-confessed perfectionists describe as “a cross between dirty pop hymns and offbeat disco rock”." Their description seems to match them pretty accurately.
Lastly there's The Common Tongues. "Superman ain't saving shit" they say. Intriguing, although they've no songs on their MySpace.
Everything, save perhaps the unheard Common Tongues, makes this gig sound like a brilliant, non-too-pricey Sunday night good quality folk gig. The gig follows on from the first ever Communion compilation album which was released on March 1st, and can be found for aural tasting at
A strange and beguiling recommendation today. If you're one of the many people drawn to 'Alice In Wonderland' at the cinema for no reason other than the involvement of Tim Burton, you'd be well advised to consider another option: the unusual, inventive, invented-world of Thomas Truax rolls into town at the Freebutt this evening.
Truax is a New-York based troubadour whose shows constitute pure spectacle; a true one-off, he creates his own instruments, including Mother Superior (a pedal powered drum-machine) and The Hornicator (a trumpet-like instrument constructed from the horn from an old gramophone player), and with the aid of a guitar and a loop pedal, crafts extraordinary, dark, music-box madness. It's easier, somehow, to think of cinematic rather than musical comparisons - Truax's most significant reference point is shared-spirit David Lynch - but his sound is precious in its own right, channeling folk, rockabilly and the adventurer attitude of the wonderful Tom Waits.
Thomas Truax brings his absurdist, surreal cacophony to The Freebutt tonight, supported by Woodpecker Wooliams and Dug Champion. Tickets are £5.50 and doors open at half-seven.
Another in-store gig from Resident is on with Thomas White tonight. Described as a Brighton-based multi-talented artist, this doesn't honestly set him aside from the crowd but you're likely to recognise him as the man behind the formation of the Electric Soft Parade and Brakes, or for work as a 'hired hand' musician for british Sea Power, Patrick Wolf, and Sparks. He's been about a bit.
Today's a promotion for his forthcoming second album, "a blaze of kaleidoscopic, yes finely nuances, psych-pop, from Syd Barrett-style haunted whimsy to 70s soft rock and heavier riffing."
It's at 6pm, and you can have a listen on his MySpace. As Resident says: "It's free, just turn up."
The honour of your presence is requested at the occasion of the Steampunk Hidden Planetarium, a show of heroes of music, mechanical hats, operatic ghetto classics and performance art. It should be bizarre and fantastic.
Steampunk "is a genre of fiction set somewhere in the 1800’s during the Victorian Era," and tonight The Marlborough Theatre plays host to the Steampunk Hidden Planetarium with the theme revolving around the "Victorian interest in the cosmos, the inventions that helped further our understanding of what lies beyond our fair planet, and the art and literature that was inspired by the field of Astronomy."
The theatre puts on A Hidden Market - an Emporium even - today from 3pm and later hosts a busy show tonight at 7pm in the name of all things Steampunk:
"We have some SP heros performing for you this month, including Ghostfire, who will be making their long awaited debut on our stage. We also have music from Ru (an excellent astrologer and musician), from Jane Bom Bane (who will be performing complete with mechanical hats), plus Marianna Harlotta and Ruby Corset will be playing their operatic renditions of ghetto classics. And last but by no means least there is performance art from the Lady Absinthia, whom I have been desperate to bring to the Marlborough since I first saw her bizarre and beautiful performance at Decompression."
You can find the event on Facebook here and more information on Steampunk over on Brass Goggles and Wikiedpia.
They've also got Hendrick's gin to sponsor them and so the first 25 Steampunks to arrive get free Gin. Win win.
Today's suggestion: Tonight, The Soft Pack play The Freebutt. £7.50 / Doors 7.30pm
The Soft Pack started out life in San Diego with a different name entirely: The Muslims. Perhaps predictably, this monicker generated more heat than light and, following endless publicity which focused on their name, The Soft Pack was decided upon as a more appropriate way to present themselves.
What was particularly unfair about the Muslims debacle, is that even when they traded under that contentious brand, it was pretty obvious, pretty early, that they had a keenly developed and sellable sound. The Soft Pack trade in a familiar but rewarding vein of compact, laidback indie rock, drawing comparisons to the Velvet Underground, The Strokes and - most tellingly - The Modern Lovers.
They play the Freebutt tonight unburdened by a contentious name, and promising a set of honed, tuneful vigour. Sample below:
It's almost as if recording an album the traditional way is no longer good enough. Ever since Bon Iver retreated to his cabin and recorded 'For Emma, Forever Ago' in starry solitude, indie rock seems to have become obsessed with recording techniques, from cut and paste collage to wilful minimalism. Merril Garbus, who is Tuneyards, has her own distinctive approach - the songs on her wild, excellent, experimental debut 'Bird Brains' were recorded live, consisting only of vocals and ukulele, onto a cheapo handheld voice recorder. Every other sound on her dense, vibrant LP, was added later using shareware software on her PC. Most of the sounds are, in fact, just that - not bits of music, but creaks and clunks, yelps and squeals. It all makes for fascinating, odd pop music, some of it sharing a spirit with the marvellous Mica Levi, of Michachu and the Shapes.
How this strange collection of demos, multi-tracked vocals and found sounds will be reassembled or re-interpreted live is, frankly, anyone's guess, so the adventurous of spirit and curious minded should prepare to brave the cold February night to head down to the Freebutt to see what strange treat Garbus cooks up. It's bound to be singular, and likely pretty impressive.
Tuneyards play tonight at the Freebutt. Tickets are £6.50. 1 Phoenix Place BN2 2ND Brighton, UK
Today if you've got tickets to the sold out and slightly difficult to pronounce Fujiya & Miyagi come to Audio. They're a lovely band who I saw back in March last year in the tediously trendy area of London, in Shoreditch. They're very good live, and afterward I stole the set list and loitered around to get my flappy bit of paper signed by the band who I finally found backstage in something resembling a broom closet. Times have changed and they're a tad more famous now (more fool me for chucking my flappy paper) but still really rather good.
On the other hand, if you're into costumes, papercraft, jewellery making, quilting, knitting and such whatnot, the best bet's to go to the Brighton Centre. From 9:30-5pm today for £6.50, there's a mass of how-to-make demonstrations, displays, talks, and inclusive workshops. As an annual event it sounds like a good wander round for anyone interested in crafty things.
There's
"Lots of experts demonstrating including popular Textile Artist Kim Thittichai. Also at the show are the Beadworkers Guild, Quilters Guild of British Isles, Guild of Machine Knitters, Knitting & Crochet Guild, Lacemakers Circle and Ring of Tatters."
Ignoring the somewhat scarily titled 'guilds' it sounds like a genuinely fantastic how-to, and whilst there's "Handmade Brighton" taking place tomorrow, this is more of a how-to learning than solely focused around buying.
It continues until Sunday at 5:30 and there's more info on the main site here.
There are some really terrific bands in Brighton. Many are established, their growing fanbase the reward for years of hard-work and hundreds of great gigs. There are others springing fully formed from nowhere, who have created a sound and a suite of songs from scratch and perfected what they do before allowing scarcely a note to be played in public. One such example is Sparrow, a band formed by four friends from Brighton and Cambridge who "craft sad, beautiful, thoughtful pop music". Their music is unforced and delicate, combining sparse, measured arrangements with beautiful harmonies. Thus far, they have only played a handful of pretty remarkable gigs, and are slowly building up to the release of their eponymous debut album, which will be landing in March.
Tonight represents the last time to see them before the LP arrives, as the band are up first at the first night of Lowlife, the sister club to The Cable Club which is starting up at Western Rd's faintly wretched Providence Pub. Venue aside, this promises to be really excellent- it's only a quid to get in, and the band are on early, at 8.45. Make sure you make it along to catch them.
Nancy Elizabeth at the Prince Albert brings some guitary folk to Brighton. Yes, perhaps we're hardly in an drought but tonight's curious. With folk and post-rock influences it's strangely similar to Feist's gentle and delicately - almost weak - vocals with less xylophone and a lack of drums. At times the harmony's almost choir-like - and occasionally pulls in a mix of European gypsy songs, choral a cappella and North African music - references which I've stolen from last.fm but explain the occasional choir-like consistency. It's varied, and definitely worth a walk to the Prince Albert and a couple of pounds. Have a listen. (She's also on Facebook)
She's supported by Brighton-based Mary Hampton with a gentle, soft but clear voice. This is better described by Eliza Carthy who distinguishes the above far better than me, calling her "terrifying and gorgeous, epic and tiny, unusual and strong." Have a listen.
You can find this event listing on last.fm and a map here. Tickets cost £7 via allgigs.co.uk, which I reckon is really rather worth it.
Resident's gig of the week is These New Puritans/Trailer Trash Tracys at Audio. After altercations with the site, I've found a place to buy tickets. If you're an Indie fiend this is probably your thing - and the first video by These New Puritans features a rather nice mask, so this may in some way influence your decision if you are a hat fan.
For those of you trundling home (or out with purpose) Resident's having an in-store event. Erland & The Carnival are holding an acoustic set at 6pm. It's in support of their new "highly anticipated" album, and the Orkney Island chaps will be popping in to make music. "They make a pastoral, psychadelic sound, described by tong as "pentangle meets ennio morricone meets love meets 13th floor elevators meets joe meek". We believe they're going to be rather big in 2010, and they like wearing funny masks. It's free we believe, so go (and hope they get incredibly famous so you can brag about the super intimate gig of theirs you attended).
IMPORTANT! The Freebutt is at risk of effectively shut down by the council! We love the venue and brilliant bands they put on! Please sign the petition to save the Freebutt here: here
Bored of Brighton brings you one thing to do a day in Brighton, telling you what's on. Bands, pubs, clubs, music, art, and the peculiar.
It's lovingly written by Claire and Jonathan. Let us know what your favourite bits of the city are - send us an email to boredofbrighton@gmail.com. We'll be very happy to hear from you.
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