IT’S ALIVE
Da Doo Ron Ron has been foisting female-fronted pop on Brighton for the last 13 years, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to learn that they’re starting a similarly themed live band night at The Hope. Y-chromosomes are actually allowed in the bands, as long as they’re backing a miss on the mic. It’s Alive runs on the first Saturday of the month and launches on Saturday 3rd with The Trudy, a definitive realisation of lady larynx power pop in the classic tradition of Blondie and awesome stuff like that.
CLUB NME
Previously at Audio, Club NME launches its new residency at Life on the seafront on Thursday 1st. With an appealing entry fee of only £2, look forward to bleeding edge new music on Thursdays throughout April, with the best unsigned bands doing their thing during a live hour. If you like indie staples such as Arctic Monkeys, Kings of Leon, and Friendly Fires then you’ll definitely like the DJ.
LIVE LOUNGE THURSDAYS
Now all artists have the chance to see their (band) name in lights, as Lucky Voice ups their musical game by opening up their doors to the Sussex unsigned scene every Thursday after eight, offering the best bands a song-spot in their famed karaoke catalogue. Join the gang beforehand however and get a free cocktail with each one bought. The band will play out a specially selected mix of cover versions along with their own original material to woo you.
THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLONES
Taking the aesthetics of Brighton’s Loop festival as a springboard for ideas in pushing the boundaries of your Average Joe club night, Jam brings us a hybrid night of live bands and laptop electronics in The Emperor’s New Clones. Arriving on Saturday 10th with the industrious electronic artist David E. Sugar joined by My Toys Like Me, expect an eclectic alt-pop concoction of “house keyboards, sub-bass rolls, trip hop blasts” alongside the ghostly, haunting vocals of singer Francis Noon.
CLUB MALICIOUS
Something maliciously ‘sleazy and cheesy’ this way comes, in the form of Club Malicious, a new wallet-friendly night every Friday at The Loft. Expect a decade-defying variety pack of tunes, from Doris Day, Prince, Beck, C+C Music Factory to The Cramps, AC/DC and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. Hosted by Pete Von Sleaze with weekly special guests, gain free entry with a flyer and crazy-cheap drinks throughout the night. Join their Facebook page and queue-jump, who can say fairer than that eh?
BLUE LIGHT INITIATIVE
The Blue Light Initiative have launched their collective musical musings at The Latest Music Bar. Showcasing the daintily-twee Bobby McGees to the more indie The Stars Down to Earth, pop-folksters Yokoko and the seminal The Beautiful Word to liven up a Tuesday evening. Be sure to get there when doors open, as the first lucky thirty will be handed a free CD, but latecomers needn’t despair, with more competitions with musical prizes and confectionary promised later in the evening.
MEADOWLANDS FESTIVAL
With naughty old Beachdown off the festival map seemingly for good, despite their protesations to the contrary, where else are you going to camp and wig out this summer? Why, Meadowlands of course! The nearest residential fest we can think of, it’s about four miles from Lewes, with The Bays, North Sea Radio Orchestra, Transformer and The Shadow Orchestra all on the bill so far. It goes down from May 29th – 31st, get more info from meadowlandsfestival.com.
FAT FACE
It’s common knowledge that most banks eventually turn into trendy wine bars, but the old post office on Ship Street is turning into a new Fat Face shop, opening on Friday 9th. Fat Face knocks out a pretty cool range of clothing for men, women and kids, all on an ‘active lifestyle’ kind of kick – so you can get Fat Face and hopefully avoid a fat arse. Or something.
Words By Nick Coquet, Lydia Stockbridge and Pia Webley
