While not as notorious or as headline stealing as its city compatriots London or Manchester, for an area of just over 150,000 people, Brighton punches well above its weight in terms of its music culture.
There’s a common saying about the music scene in Brighton; ‘if you’re a local that isn’t in a band, than you will at least know somebody who is’. This is reflected through the city’s vast amount of pubs, where many of the 300 hundred or so establishments provide live music.
However. more formal venues have also made the city famous. The Brighton Dome provided the setting for music history when ABBA won the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, while the reputation of many other live venues only add to Brighton’s musical heritage.
While a healthy amount of music venues encourages and fosters up and coming talent, the Brighton Institute Of Modern Music is one the most prestigious music schools in England. Not to be outdone by The University Of Brighton who also provided an education to Natasha Khan of Bat For Lashes fame.
The university’s arts faculty also honoured Nick Cave with a Doctor Of Letters in recognition of his international standing in the arts and also his patronage of Brighton’s annual film festival Cine-City. The Bad Seeds frontman lives in the area of Brighton and Hove with his wife and two sons.
The city’s music scene has provided a launching pad to international success for many of its local acts over the years with the likes of The Kooks, Rizzle Kicks, The Go! Team, British Sea Power and Blood Red Shoes all achieving international success over the years.
However, just as indie music and various other genres are well represented in the city, the area’s nightlife as a reputation for being one of the country’s best. Not that it should come as a surprise, with the city being the birthplace of the ‘big beat’ music genre as well as the legendary Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim.
With the city holding the Big Beach Boutique dance nights that attracts the masses, as well as bars along the beach, Brighton provides a beautiful outdoor setting to compliment the city’s other intimate and indoor offerings.
The people Brighton’s obsession with music has translated into a diverse and vibrant music scene that is astounding for a city of its size.
If Nick Cave finds the area suitable to live in then surely a visit to see what all the fuss is about is necessary?
Brighton Festivals/Conferences
The Great Escape
As one of Europe’s leading festivals for new music, this conference attracts over three hundred of the most talked about up coming acts and established favourites as well as providing a forum for some of the industry’s hottest topics. Situated across thirty different venues The Great Escape has championed the rise of Adele, The xx, Alt-J and Alabama Shakes in years past. While keynote speakers have included Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood, Adele collaborator Paul Epworth and Fatboy Slim since the event began in 2006. As Brighton’s biggest music event, The Great Escape proudly displays the city’s music scene for all that it’s worth. Check out our extensive write up of the festival in our new festival guides.
Shakedown
This one-day event is a recent addition to Brighton’s festival fold. Started in 2011, Shakedown provides attendees with the opportunity to revel in one of the last days of summer. Held in late September the festival has attracted the likes of Mark Ronson, Knife Party, Example and Dizzee Rascal in the past. While the 2013 lineup is set to feature Rizzle Kicks, Labrinth, Zane Lowe and Delilah.
http://www.shakedown.co.uk/line-up
Brighton Festival
Held over three weeks, this event celebrates the best of Brighton’s respective artistic communities in the one place. Their extensive program encompasses music, theatre, dance, film, literature and even debates. The 2013 Brighton Festival has over 370 performances and 154 events, across 30 different venues. This includes 27 unique festival commissions. Held throughout May, the festival provides punters with an incredible opportunity to experience the city and its arts community.
http://brightonfestival.org
Brighton Record Stores
Cult Hero, 25 North Street, http://www.cult-hero.co.uk
With a focus on all things music, film and literature, there is a varied collection of works on offer here. Music wise, a large selection of CDs and a diverse range of vinyl are for sale. While indie and avant-garde film classics will have silver screen nerds drooling. Just as the music related and autobiographical books completes an eclectic range of incredible art. Inside the store’s modern interior you’re also able to purchase tickets for upcoming local gigs.
Rarekind Records, 104 Trafalgar Street, http://rarekindrecords.co.uk
Located near the end of Trafalgar Street and specializing in US and UK hip-hop and vintage funk, Rarekind provides a haven for its niche audience. There are smaller selections of jazz, electro, grime, drum ‘n’ bass, disco, reggae, dubstep and psychedelic rock as well. Rarekind Records also sells DJ equipment, headphones and needles. This store has crates packed full of vinyl and is no doubt aiming to please a more specific clientele, but DJs will also find plenty to love here.
Resident, 28 Kensington Gardens, http://www.resident-music.com
Two locals founded this store in 2004 with the dream of providing Brighton’s music scene with a vinyl shop that they thought was missing. Since then the establishment’s notoriety has grown with ticket sales for small gigs and in store performances driving their success. However Resident’s extensive back catalogue of vintage records along with a wide range of new releases have put this store on the map.
Brighton Music Venues
Concorde 2, Madeira Shelter Hall, Madeira Dr, http://www.concorde2.co.uk
One of the city’s most popular venues this establishment is situated along the seafront. The average sized venue doubles as both a club for young people and a live music venue for all ages. Florence + the Machine, Kaiser Chiefs, The White Stripes and Bloc Party are just some of the names to grace the stage at Concorde 2. For those looking for the essential Brighton music experience than this is the place to go.
Latest Music Bar, 4-17 Manchester St, http://thelatest.co.uk/musicbar/
With big names like Amy Winehouse and local acts The Kooks having played here before, this establishment is both a basement bar and a music venue. Fairy lights and framed photos of musicians adds a touch of class, while the painted roof tops give the Latest Music Bar a little more style than what is usually afforded a music venue. Hosting live music regularly to a seated audience, this is place in Brighton to catch folk, blues or jazz acts.
Coalition, 171-181 Kings Rd Arches, http://www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk/coalition
Intimate yet loud this music venue is located on the seafront with ocean views for those looking to dine before the gig. With great acoustics, Coalition has hosted some incredible UK talent as well as international acts over the years. The likes of Jessie J, Best Coast, Toro Y Moi, The Rapture and Rudimental have all played here before.
Brighton Acts You Should Check Out
Gross Magic
Sam McCarrigle operates under Gross Magic and with the musician having played NME’s Generation Next Tour in 2012, as well as SXSW in 2013, buzz is starting to build around the young rocker. McCarrigle, along with three other members complete the grunge-pop band. Have a listen to one of Gross Magic’s older cuts in ‘Sweetest Touch’ below.
Nimmo & The Gauntletts
This five-piece generated a fair amount of press in the UK when it was announced that model Agyness Deyn would make her directorial debut for this little-known band. The video was made for ‘Change’, an alternative pop gem that you can listen to below.
Woodpecker Wooliams
Gemma Williams, the 27-year-old singer-songwriter behind the moniker, is quite the multi-instrumentalist (harp, kora, omnichord, keyboard, harmonium, electric organ, accordion, penny whistle, clarinet, bells, glockenspiel, electric shruti box, recorder and drums). She’s also quite eccentric, other than collecting bees, she also cites birds and murder as her influences. However take a listen to ‘Diego Diego’ below and you’ll quickly realize just how beautiful her music is.
