YOUNG GUNS
Thu 2 Apr
The Haunt
Plenty of big-hearted rock music is coming our way as Young Guns set out on the road. Warming up the country before the release of ‘Ones and Zeros’ their third album on Mon 8 Jun, they’re descending upon Brighton, and fans will be pleased to know the band is still big on guitar hooks and heady escapism.
Displaying considerable talents, as both songwriters and musicians, this is one band with a big collection of powerful catchy tunes. So, if you like swelling stadium rock, here’s the group for you…
ELECTROWORX
Fri 3 Apr
The Hope & Ruin
Brighton’s very own electronic pioneers, bitbin, bring together like-minded artists for a full night of esoteric free form music. This free show features audio-reactive visuals, live ambient synth-based collisions and brutal, but melodic, outputs.
Joining bitbin are Adolescent, Pollen and Champion Fever, all of them are very different experimental acts. Each will utilise synths, drum machines, live vocals and reverb to offer a range of sonic delights. Performances on the night will be intersected by modular synthesis performer VCOADSR. Expansive, experimental and electronic, with absolutely no staring at laptops – guaranteed!
www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/hope-and-ruin
GHOSTPOET
Mon 6 Apr
Komedia
Last month’s new album ‘Shedding Skin’ demonstrated fresh thinking and a confident stride into previously uncharted waters for Obaro Ejimiwe, a vocalist, musician and the best MC in Coventry since Neville Staple. Dripping in indie, the new Ghostpoet release certainly offers a new and smoother musical direction than previous efforts.
The album’s ten songs embrace, unite and narrate his real life observations, all recorded with a traditional live set up with what has become a touring band. The self-produced release also features guest vocals from Nadine Shah, Etta Bond, Melanie De Biasio, Lucy Rose and Maxïmo Park’s Paul Smith, setting a new precedent as his best work yet.
MCBUSTED
Tue 7 Apr
Brighton Centre
Like a 12 legged sex machine, the boys from Britain’s number one super-group (after Band Aid at least) are coming to town. They might be older, perhaps wiser and a little less athletic, but there’s no sign of a let up in the no-nonsense good time pop rock antics, especially with the recent release of their debut album.
The city’s ladies of a certain age will be flocking to get their fill of synchronised jumping, infectious energy and epic staging. Love them or hate them, there’s no denying McBusted are still the go-to guys for feel good pop music.
JAILBREAK
Fri 10 Apr
Concorde 2
Two of the country’s best rock tribute acts are back in town. Limehouse Lizzy have now clocked up 21 years in the game, so the Thin Lizzy-alikes are celebrating with their most explosive show yet. Now they have managed to squeeze a co-headline tour into their usually exhausting schedule.
Joining them are Livewire, the unique six man tribute to rock’s other greatest band – AC/DC. Complete with trademark cannons, a wall of Marshalls and the power of High Voltage Rock and Roll. And in AC/DC’s 40th year, the band bring you a rock night to remember.
YOUNG KATO
Sat 11 Apr
The Haunt
Six piece Young Kato release their captivating debut album ‘Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow’ on Mon 3 May, with its anthemic lead single, ‘Children of The Stars’ dropping the same day.
Their epic tunes have won them support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, XFM, Absolute Radio, Sunday Brunch, Made in Chelsea, SBTV & Clash, and tours alongside acts including You Me At Six, Rixton, and 5 Seconds of Summer. Perky, ambitious and uplifting, the youngsters could be making 2015 their year.
Image by Craig Keenan
POLAR BEAR
Wed 15 Apr
Komedia
The 2014 Mercury-nominated Polar Bear return to Brighton with their experimental jazz and loads of left-field electronica. Although still appearing on the jazz circuit, now the keyboards and odd little soundscapes all jostle for dominance in their output.
Playing around with echo machines and exploring new recording methodologies, it’s tough to find a common influence throughout the band’s work, so for that reason alone they are something very special. With mutant rocked-up funky grooves, the Komedia will be bouncing with their spiced mix and freely improvised magic.
OF MONTREAL
Mon 20 Apr
The Haunt
Formed in Athens, Georgia, Of Montreal are among the second wave of groups to emerge from The Elephant 6 Recording Company. Like their contemporaries they combine, and experiment with, a number of musical styles. With catchy pop melodies and sing-along choruses, the band’s style was born from conventional indie pop, psychedelic music, vaudeville and music hall.
Recently they’ve added influence from afrobeat, funk, krautrock and reggae to keep their sound fresh and exciting. Last month saw their most unflinching, confessional and starkly emotional albums yet – ‘Aureate Gloom’.
KWABS
Tue 21 Apr
Komedia
South London soul star Kwabs has started to shine this year. Trading in bass-heavy R&B with rich vocals, it’s all backed up by crisp and clever production. After bouncing around the internet with his atmospheric, creative and distinctive material, he’s now being touted as the next big thing. With first album ‘Love + War’ coming in May, everything points to the critics getting it right for once.
So now Britain may have found a soul sensation to ably rival the invading US imports. There might be plenty of commercial appeal here, but for once it’s not a dirty phrase.
DUKE SPECIAL
Thu 23 Apr
Komedia
Uplifting and thoroughly wonderful, Duke Special is carving a tasty trade in massive pop anthems, The Ulster born singer songwriter and gramophone impresario, has superbly crafted this new collection of catchy, rousing and lyrically poignant tracks.
His comeback album ‘Look Out Machines!’ sees a release on Sun 5 Apr, exploring new musical ground with collaborations from Iain Archer, Phil Wilkinson and Gary Clark. An epic album from a unique artist, it’s a grand gesture of a record that displays a rare and timeless quality, speaking with a refined eloquence.
PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING
Wed 22 Apr
Corn Exchange
Heavy on the samples, grooves and nostalgia, Public Service Broadcasting visit the city for the second time this year. If the KLF ever turned their hands to soaring kraut–rock, this would be the result. For those of you under 30, that’s some fairly big praise.
Still flushed from the critical reception to their second album ‘The Race For Space’, the pair are setting out on their biggest UK tour to date. Weaving samples ripped from archive footage with live drums, guitar, banjo and electronics, they offer a glimpse of the past set to the music of the future. With a live show this is performed in front of a hypnotic AV display, they’ve grown a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in the country.
Image by Lawrence Watson
I AM KLOOT
Fri 24 Apr
Concorde 2
The dawning of the new Millennium saw their live debut with a show at London Kashmir Club supported by nascent four-piece The Libertines. Years later, and the two acts become entwined once more with the release of I Am Kloot’s live album ‘Hold Back The Night’ this month, nestling rather appropriately on Peter Doherty imprint Walk Tall Recordings.
The Manchester trio are something of a cult proposition. While writing clever songs with genuine poignancy, they’ve somehow never encountered the big time, despite the catchy and understated nature of their music. Who cares, when relative anonymity gives the freedom to write tunes like these? One of the best bands your mum’s never heard of.
ARCANE ROOTS
Wed 29 Apr
Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar
With debut album ‘Blood and Chemistry’ out in the public domain, this prog-tinged outfit is a winning a lot of converts. A full UK tour is now demonstrating how full and sweeping their live sound can be.
Whilst there is a certain amount of fret-wanking involved, Arcane Roots don’t shy away from embracing the occasional pop sensibility. With a singer deploying a massive voice, a group of musicians capable of supporting elaborate arrangements and a host of heartfelt anthemic theatrics, this is one band that need to break-through.
