GAPS at the Prince Albert photo gallery

Posted on 27/01/2015 by brightonmusicblog

Last night we braved the cold to head out to the Prince Albert where GAPS played a hometown gig following their recent mini tour. Since the last time we saw them they’ve gained some rather lovely visuals which meant they were standing in the dark – that we got any photos of the band was something of a miracle. They’ve also written an awful lot of new material too which has broadened their sound while still operating within the bands existing premise of folk + electronica, now taking in breakbeats and some trouser shaking bass. Support came folk troubadour Lloyd Williams who did some very clever things with a guitar, a banjo and a floor mounted accordion. Here’s our pics, click to view large:

IYES and Sam Jordan support Raleigh Ritchie at The Haunt

Posted on 01/12/2014 by brightonmusicblog

In 2013 we must have seen IYES at least half a dozen times. Things have been a bit quieter in 2014 though – despite a few singles and remixes it was only last night that they played their first hometown gig of the year, supporting Game of Thrones actor turned R&B songsmith Raleigh Ritchie. Since we last saw them they’ve signed to Sony (you’ve probably heard their track Glow on the adverts for Sony phones), and they’re sounding better than ever. Support came from local lad Sam Jordan, whose set was running late which mean that IYES had to cut a few songs from their set. Hopefully they’ll be back soon with a headline gig when Glow gets released in February. Until then here’s our shots from the last night. Click through to view large:

Fear of Men and The Hundredth Anniversary at The Hope

Posted on 27/09/2014 by brightonmusicblog

On Thursday Fear of Men kicked off their first headline tour of the UK, which is also the last round of promotion for their album Loom. Last week they also put out a video for album track Tephra, directed by the band themselves, which shows the effigy created for the front cover of Loom being burned to ash, also marking the end the band’s links to the album. The band have already played Norwich last night and are also taking in Leeds and Manchester this weekend, with the tour concluding in London at Concrete on 2nd October.

Our pics from of Fear of Men, and support The Hundredth Anniversary, are below the video.

(click on pics to view large)

Time for T at Sofar Sounds

Posted on 28/08/2014 by brightonmusicblog

Brighton has it’s fair share of intimate venues, where you can go and see a band and be able to literally touch them onstage (not that we encourage that kind of behaviour), and recently added, but with no fixed abode is Sofar Sounds. Sofar Sounds, which had a reboot earlier this year, brings concerts into people’s living rooms taking intimate to a whole new level and last night they invited us along to this month’s event. In a slight change to proceedings last night’s gig wasn’t held in someone’s lounge, but in the basement of Nowhere Man Café just opposite the Windmill Pub, which doubles up as a rehearsal space for local bands.

Although last night was a very local affair, organised in Brighton with two of the three acts from Brighton, Sofar Sounds is an international concern and dozens of events took place across Europe and the US, all being tied together with the gig doubling up as a listening party for the new Karen O solo album at every venue.

Sofar sounds don’t have a headliner as such and all bands are treated as having equal billing, and first act to play was Darren Saunders – a local musician who hasn’t played a “proper” gig in over two years, but has been busking regularly. He was brought in at the last minute on the recommendation of one of the sound guys who said that he thought he had one of the best voices he’s heard. Despite nerves and a broken string great songs and a great voice won the day. Next up was Bec Sanridge, last night’s out of towner (all the way from Australia). I got the impression that Bec hides what a fantastic guitarist she really is, and despite earlier hints it was only in the last song in her Joan Baez-style folk set that her fingerwork truly shone through.

Last night’s final act was Time for T, recently back from a mini-tour of Portugal and with an EP about to be launched soon. A live hometown gig in a small venue obviously suited them as they appeared relaxed and confident on what could barely be called a stage. The lead singer performed a couple of solo acoustic numbers to begin with before being joined by the rest of the band for an assured folk-pop set peppered with tracks from the new EP. When the evening appeared to be over with final words of thanks being given by the Sofar Sounds people the crowd called for a genuine encore – a rarity these days when going off stage then coming back for a few more is all part of the plan.

(click the pics to view large)

Momotaro and Winston & Goldstein at the Hope

Posted on 25/06/2014 by brightonmusicblog

Last night Momotaro and Winston & Goldstein supported Garden City Movement at a sweltering night at The Hope.

We’ve written about a few of Winston & Goldstein‘s tracks before but this was only her second proper gig (after playing with Dog in the Snow a few weeks ago). There’s an album that’s being sold at the live shows which showcases not just her dancier tracks we’ve posted about already, but a whole spectrum of electronica – we’ll be writing more about that when it’s a bit easier to get hold of. Last night was Momotaro‘s first gig as a five piece, having recently added a bassist and a VJ to their line up. Their set was mostly taken from this year’s album Second Side with a couple of new tracks, or maybe radical reworkings thrown in, bolstered with live bass, and accompanied by visuals which they’ve played to a few times but are now on a permanent basis. Here’s our photos we took of the night:

(click pics to view large)

Gallery – Blood Red Shoes at Concorde 2

Posted on 26/04/2014 by brightonmusicblog

Last night Blood Red Shoes played a hometown gig at the Concorde and we managed to sneak a view from the front, for the first three songs, at least. The two piece rocked hard, and the crowd loved it – We can’t remember the last gig we went to at the Concorde that had that such a great atmosphere. And it was loud – my goodness it was loud. Thank goodness for the earplugs which are a must for when we’re up the front shooting.

Fear of Men Album Launch / Spectrum at the Dome Studio Theatre

Posted on 18/04/2014 by brightonmusicblog

On Tuesday Fear of Men launched their new album Loom with a gig at the Dome Studio Theatre. Loom is out this monday, but if that’s too long to wait, you can buy the limited edition coloured vinyl edition as a Record Store Day exclusive tomorrow. If even that’s too long, it’s currently streaming on Pitchfork.

The launch gig was the first of a new set of regular nights at the Dome called Spectrum, put on in collaboration with Resident Support on the night came from Grace Carter, Grasshopper and Abi Wade. Here’s our pics – as usual, click to view large:

Photo Gallery – Les Enfants Terribles at the Blind Tiger with Momotaro, The Beautiful Word and Poles Apart

Posted on 30/03/2014 by brightonmusicblog

Friday night Les Enfants Terribles was back at the Blind Tiger, so were we with our camera. We missed openers Lunar Maria, but had a great time seeing the other bands (click images to view large):

Dog in the Snow at the Prince Albert / The New Union at Bermuda Triangle gallery

Posted on 10/03/2014 by brightonmusicblog

Last Monday, Dog in the Snow released their new single Factory and next Monday The New Union release their new single Now. Last weekend both bands played live, so we went along with our camera (as usual click to view large):

Gallery post – IYES, Luo and Momotaro at Source New Music at the Dome Studio Theatre

Posted on 24/11/2013 by brightonmusicblog

On Friday night we headed down to the Dome Studio Theatre for the Source New Music Night. This month IYES headlined, supported by Luo and Momotaro. We hoped it was going to be a good gig, and it didn’t disappoint. Here’s our pics: