It’s another one of those festivals where the line-up is rather overwhelming (see: Brighton Fringe) so to narrow things down, we asked some Brighton bands and singers for their top picks for this year.
Fun fact: current students and alumni from Brighton’s BIMM Music Institute (where The Kooks met), including SLAG, and ARXX and Selma who’ve given their must-sees below, make up over 10 percent of the artists performing at the main festival and the free Alternative Escape this year.
Clara from ARXX
Congratulations (feature image)
Because they are just the best energy (even though we can’t see them because we clash with them!)
Find them at Quarters at 9.30pm on SaturdayMy Precious Bunny
I’ve never seen them but I love Lily and think she is so creatively interesting. I’m super excited to see her new project. [My Precious Bunny is the solo project of Lily Wolter, one half of Penelope Isles.]
Find them at Quarters at 6.30pm on SaturdaySarah Gower
I’ve never seen her live but love her song on Spotify and want to see more.
Find her at TGE Beach – Soundwaves at 9.15pm on WednesdaySee punk duo ARXX on Saturday at 9.15pm at Chalk
Hutch
We’re of the belief that some of the best artists to see are playing the free shows at the Alternative Escape, and couldn’t recommend these ones more.
Sekinue
They’re playing at the Fishing Museum on Friday at 1.30pm (Back in the Woods promotions are definitely one of the best promoters to check out over the weekend [ed: they’re putting on Alt Alt Escape shows on Friday and Saturday].
Batmilk
One of Brighton’s coolest bands, they’re playing at the Village Pub in Hanover on Wednesday at 6.30pm. Go watch them before they’re huge!
They’re also playing Alt Escape shows on Saturday at the Rossi Bar (2pm), The Actors (7pm) and Fiddler’s Elbow (9.30pm).
Soft Top
They’re playing at Pink Moon (probably Brighton’s coolest and newest venue [we’d agree – Ed]), definitely worth checking out! Their new album comes out next month and we cannot wait!
Find them at The Rossi bar at 3pm on Thursday, Pink Moon (5pm) and The Mesmerist (6.30pm) on Thursday and The Bees Mouth on Saturday at 9pm.
Psychedelic twang-pop ensemble Hutch are playing the free Alt Escape – find them at Pink Moon on Friday at 8pm, the West Hill Hall on Saturday at 8.10pm and at The Oak in Kemptown on Saturday at 9.30pm.
Lemonsuckr
Silverwingkiller
Shiny chaos.
Find them at Patterns Downstairs on Thursday at 1.30am and Concorde2 on Friday at 8.15pm.
Mandy, Indiana
They’re like going to the techno gig of your nightmares, but realising your nightmares are better than your dreams.
Find them at the Old Market at 10.15pm on Friday
Bathing Suits
A party of wonderful debauchery.
Find them at Dust at 12.15am on Thursday and Concorde2 at 9.15pm
As for Lemonsuckr, the sparse-with-their-words high-octane four-piece often describe their music as “for those who like to dance but don’t know how”. Find them at Concorde2 at 10.15pm on Wednesday and the Prince Albert at 11.15pm on Friday with Great Escape tickets.
Selma
Abbie Piper
BIMM London graduate Abbie Piper is without a doubt one of my top tips to see. Her latest track, ‘Calling’, is a beautiful showcase of her songwriting talent – honest and heartfelt. The way her vocals flow so effortlessly captures the raw emotion she brings to her music. She’s a genuine talent and a huge inspiration to emerging singer-songwriters like myself.
Find Abbie at 6.15pm on Thursday at the Soundwaves stage at TGE Beach
See Selma at the free Alt Escape showcase on Thursday at 2pm at the North Laine Brewhouse
