It’s probably the best thing to happen to the local music scene since ABBA won Eurovision at The Dome. Sea Monsters is the perfect place to catch all the bands that we’ve been banging on about this year. It’s only a fiver a night, or £25 if you want to see all 29 bands over the week, so it couldn’t be better value for money. Here’s some of the artists you don’t want to miss.

Abi Wade
Manipulating her cello like nothing you’ve ever heard before, Abi Wade is a true original. Her unique take on the instrument and angelic folk vocals have recently seen her secure a support slot on Patrick Wolf’s European tour, and latest single ‘Heavy Heart/Faker’ proves she’s destined for the top. She’s one of Brighton’s foremost musical talents, so if you haven’t seen her before, don’t miss your chance to do so in an intimate venue. (JMM)

AK/DK
Two drummers in a band is always going to be exciting, and throw in a selection of analogue and digital synths and effects and you’ve got AK/DK. The duo’s shows are mostly improvised and they always manage to create a chaotically beautiful sound, so you’re guaranteed to experience something unique. Their energy is fantastic, and you’re likely to find yourself bouncing around the dancefloor as they’re a whole lot
of fun. (BA)

DA-10
Nowadays everyone plays synth, right? Well, not like this. DA-10 is a two-man band consisting of synth god Danalogue and MPC wizard 10-David, and their skills in building wobbly soundscapes, twinkly beats and heavy basslines using only hardware will have the technology geeks among you in awe. Even if you couldn’t care less about the creation of the sound, marvel at the unusual sight of electronic musicians having a blast, and dance. (JMM)

Gnarwolves
In the last year, pop-punk trio Gnarwolves have released a cracking EP, toured the country with Lower Than Atlantis, played a handful of shows in Germany, supported Ceremony, Fucked Up and Boysetsfire among others, and are always willing to squeeze in an extra local show here or there. A Brighton Gnarwolves show feels like what you’d imagine early Blink-182 or NOFX gigs to have been like – full of energy, constant crowd surfing and mass sing-alongs. Prepare to party. (CB)

TheDealWasForTheDiamond
Complex and dynamic, The Deal Was For The Diamond have been sharpening their progressive metal juggernaut at a steady pace for some years, mixing up a breathtaking, speaker rattling blend of noise and precision. For some reason, they seem to finish off every venue SOURCE has caught them in (hello, the Engine Room and the Providence – or rather, goodbye). Stunning stuff. (SH)

Great Pagans
Part of the striking, audio-visual Anti-Ghost Moon Ray collective, Great Pagans play hauntingly melodic, soft-edged guitar pop. Their recent eponymous EP was six songs of instant tunefulness, with a light touch and shimmering, spectral beauty. Great Pagans could prove one of the week’s unexpected, understated triumphs. (SH)

Holy Vessels
Brighton’s country-rock revivalists are excellent songwriters, which is probably why their ‘Springtime Bloom’ single won the SOURCE Writers’ Song Of The Year. Read more about them on page 40. (JK)

Kins
Yeah, they’re on our cover, in case you didn’t notice. If you’re too impatient to flick all the way to page 19 then here’s the short version: beautiful, melodic grooves that fall somewhere between Foals and The xx while sounding like their own band. (JK)

Loose Lips
Embracing the energy of pop-punk like American teenagers in the mid 90s, Loose Lips are a refreshingly upbeat trio who have fun writing infectious tracks and playing them loud. After winning over crowds as the opening act to a plethora of other young British acts, the unsigned band are set to make a name for themselves. For now, their loyal following remains largely local but it won’t be long before the good word begins to spread. (AJM)

Negative Pegasus
Counting One Inch Badge’s Todd Jordan among their number, Negative Pegasus are a heavy psychedelic trio, in the vein of such overdriven riff minimalists as Brooklyn’s Oneida. This year’s debut LP ‘Looming’ churns like a washing machine filled with liquid ecstasy, and you trapped inside. They will rinse your mind clean. (SH)

900 Spaces
Disco-pop quartet 900 Spaces play energetic, synth-led indie in the infectious style of Those Dancing Days and You Say Party! We Say Die! A refreshingly unpretentious band, led by bounding frontwoman Emma Lou, 900 Spaces are equal parts cheerfulness and bashfuness. A joy to watch and dance to. (SH)

The Physics House Band
If you haven’t seen TPHB live you’re a) one of the few, and b) in for a right treat. Despite being prog-jazz fusion this is no chin stroking experience. See No.2 in our Writer’s Chart for more. (JK)

Rum Committee
It’s great to see hip hop represented on the Sea Monsters bill – Brighton has a strong scene, arguably lead by RumCom. Their LP ‘Boozetown’ revels in the underbelly of the city and is as gritty musically as it is lyrically. Only problem: with such a huge line-up – TC Johnston, Prince Kong, Gizmo and Captain Bukioe, plus singer Rag ‘n’Bonez Man and a quartet of producers – they might struggle to fit on the Albert stage. (JK)

Sea Bastard
The heaviest band at this year’s festival play the sort of crushing doom metal that you could imagine actual Sea Monsters themselves grooving to in the ocean’s pressurised depths. The excellently named Sea Bastard play very loud and very long: they could only fit three tracks on their awesome ‘The Great Barrier Riff’ album. But what incredible tracks. (SH)

Soccer96
Sheepskin and UV-wearing (when we saw them at least) analogue dance pop outfit Soccer96 are one of the bands most likely to break through in 2013. Tracks like ‘SuperWarrior’ are quite sparse, otherworldly grooves while single ‘Call To Arms’ is a crunchy pop gem. If the idea of AK/DK sounds a bit much, these guys are a much easier jumping in point. Warped pop music that’s as fun as it is random. (JK)

The Squadron Leaders
Look sharp there. The Squadron Leaders are a sax-powered, instrumental surf music trio, with a cargo bay full of twangtastic originals and curveball covers to keep you on your toes. ‘A.I.’, for instance, doesn’t stand for artificial intelligence but a certain globe-conquering US punk anthem. Should prove to be the festival’s most shameless party band. (SH)

Suave Debonair
Jumping on the bill for hip hop stalwarts Slip Jam:B’s showcase, Suave Debonair brings the party with his comic, skilful rhymes. Suave’s been in the game for a while, collaborating with 2012’s breakthrough trio Stooshe before they swapped their potty-mouthed r’n’b credibility for pointless TLC covers and advertising Furbys. With multiple identities and styles, Suave could steer this show in any direction. (SH)

Written In Waters
The extravagant Written In Waters are a complicated, progressive quintet, led by operatic vocalist Beth Cannon. Gothic in a classic 19th century style, this year’s self-titled EP (produced by in-demand avant-metal specialist Jaime Gomez Arellano) prints their lyrics on a set of loose, surreal tarot cards, which hints at the mix of humour and deathly seriousness the band deal in. Heavy as you like and way, way out there. (SH)

FYI
EVENT: Prince Albert, Mon 21st – Sun 27th Jan
CD: ‘Sea Monsters 3’ out on Mon 21st Jan
TICKETS: From SOURCE, click here
WEB: oibrecords.com

Photo by Nima Elms
Words by Bee Adamic, Chris Biggs, Stuart Huggett, James Kendall, Amy Jo McLellan and Jessica Marshall McHattie