We spoke to four local bands about the Brighton and Hove music scene, how to support the future of live music and their favourite place in Brighton to catch a gig (spoiler alert: it’s a popular one!). In case you’ve not heard of them or their music before, here’s a very quick intro before we dive into the questions themselves.
Described as a “much-needed kick in the teeth for indie-rock music”, Canned Pineapple (CP) are a five piece who combine gorgeous melodies with crunching guitars. Created in lockdown, Everyday Saints (ES) are all about the spooky vibes. The self-described “disco vampires” make gothic-infused ethereal synth-pop. Effortlessly cool indie-pop artist Matilda Cole‘s (MC) refreshingly honest storytelling is infused by years of bedroom poetry. Finally, described as the “rightful heir to Loyle Carner’s throne”, singer-songwriter Jarki Monno‘s (JM) introspective music blends electronic and pop.
What’s great (or not!) about the music scene in Brighton right now?
CP: Brighton is a smaller city; it’s quite tightly knitted, which is great because it means you’re always running into a mate or two at gigs or around town.
ES: The music scene in Brighton right now is so diverse. You can see lots of different genres of music, including new exciting developing genres, and it’s always great to see a varied selection of people playing!
MC: I think Brighton has such a community to it – the live show takes precedence over any other part of the industry, and the community shows up for the artists every time. That’s rare to find nowadays, with everything being pushed more online, but it feels so important to keep young bands and artists gigging, and Brighton is the place to do that.
JM: I feel after the past few years of the music scene trying to find its feet after the pandemic it’s so amazing to see venues across the board starting to thrive again with people being comfortable back supporting their favourite bands in such an important space. One part which is a personal favourite to me is the fact we’re seeing more intimate shows like Sofar Sounds in and around the city. The mysteriousness of these nights always leaves attendees coming away having listened to such a variety of artists.
What do you hope for in the future of live music?
CP: All we’re hoping for is more of a scene for havin’ a good time and rockin’ out. We come across a lot of bands nowadays that are serious and miserable; some people need to lighten up!
ES: We hope to see diversity continuing to grow in the live music sector, on stage and in technical positions.
MC: I would hope for a renaissance of gigs being a social occasion for the artist and the audience, and I would love to see more people going to gigs of artists they don’t know yet. The live scene used to be the place you went to discover new music, and now it seems to be where you go only for artists you’re already invested in. And more parties. I want live music to feel like a party again.
JM: Right now, it’s just lovely to see people back together with their friends and family in these spaces and I hope for that to continue. Artists and bands have really struggled the past few years not being able to play shows and missing out on such a crucial and fun side to what we do, so it’s amazing to have it back.
We’ve seen lots of grassroots venues (in Brighton and beyond) disappear or come under threat in recent years – how can we protect them?
CP: We know how difficult it is with the cost of living crisis, but the best thing to do is just try to go to as many gigs as you can. If you’re not into the music, just go to the venues for a piss up instead!
ES: It would be a good start if property developers and landlords stopped trying to purchase property to turn into flats near our beloved music venues, and if the Council could stop approving these it would also help. But also go see live music in our local venues and spend your money behind the bar!
MC: Show up! It happens time and time again where people say they’ll come to your gig but don’t actually show up. Attendance bolsters both the artist’s spirit and the venue’s likelihood of staying open. And you can meet some great people and hear some sick music! I always go to gigs of smaller artists so I can claim that I was ‘here first’ when they blow up.
JM: I feel the best way is by encouraging artists and bands to play as much as they possibly can to engage with new audiences. As they play bigger venues (as well as our staple grassroots), they can use their platform to raise awareness but also inspire other artists to come through the grassroots venues.
Favourite place to hear live music in Brighton/ Sussex?
CP: That would easily be The Green Door Store. We whole-heartedly love that venue – great atmosphere, great sound, great people.
ES: Green Door Store always has such a great roster of live music, friendly staff, cheap tinnies and a great atmosphere!
MC: It has to be the Green Door Store. I spent most weekends of my college years stumbling in and out of those green doors. To me, it feels like what I imagine a dive bar in New York felt like in the 70s, it has a really authentic and untouched vibe which I love. I spent so much time and money in that place when I was far too young to be there, but the atmosphere and spirit were too good to resist. They also have some incredible musicians start out there – I saw my friend Nieve Ella play her first gig there two years ago, and now she’s selling out tours and supporting huge artists!
JM: I think the first venue I ever went to in Brighton was The Green Door Store to see a good friend of mine play. I still remember how much I loved the quirkiness of its location and the interior being so different to anything I’d seen before, so when I’m asked this question, it’s always the first place that comes to mind.
Best ever gig (either your own or one you went to)? And why?
CP: The best gig we’ve done recently was a fundraiser show for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. We played with some great bands all for a great cause.
ES: The coolest gig we’ve played was supporting Starbenders at the Green Door Store because we’re big fans, but also our first Hidden Herd gig will always be really special to us! We’ve collectively been to so many gigs, usually at least one a week, but my personal favourite (Jade) would have to be seeing Lady Gaga support the Pussy Cat Dolls circa 2008 – it changed my life.
MC: I think it was Little Simz at Love Supreme festival last year. I have never been so captured and moved by a performance as I was by hers, and that festival is so lovely and warming to attend. Something about that night and the way she connected to the crowd and we connected to her was pure magic – I haven’t felt like that since.
JM: When it comes to my own gigs, there have been a few that stand out but, probably when I supported a friend of mine at the Manchester Academy. To walk out to a room full of people at that scale was nothing short of incredible. It was one of the first times I really felt that my music was moving in the right direction and that it was paying off. In terms of gigs I’ve seen, I would have to say it was seeing Sam Fender at O2 Shepherd’s Bush – it was right before his groundbreaking rise in the industry. To see him just before that take-off was mind-blowing.
Photo credits: Harry from Tommo Media (Jarki Monno)
Recent Comments