Last summer’s Broken Brighton issue really hit home as we all went into a blind panic when live venue after venue had their doors shut, to the astonished cries of the city’s gig-goers. But you can’t keep a good scene down. It’s 2011, and venues new and renovated are making a comeback. Here’s the good news.
GREEN DOOR STORE
Shakin’ Stevens was always banging on about how it was all happening behind the green door, and it turns out he was right. One of the most exciting, completely new venues has opened in the arches under the station with a stripped back, industrial, Williamsburg vibe. There’ll be gigs pretty much every night, or you can pop in for a drink. There are loads of club nights too, mainly with no door tax (only Saturdays have a entry cost). There are too many to mention but Dynamite Sal of We Luv Pop fame is starting sassy sister night, Pop Not Pop. Teen Creeps find a perfect home for their new wave synth and electro on the last Friday. The Happiest Place on Earth, meanwhile, may seem an overly confident name for a new club night, but when it’s hosted by Moshi Moshi offshoot label, Tender Age, it’s a pretty safe bet it probably will be. Every genre’s welcome, as long as it’s good, basically. In a world of social networking OCD, the Green Door introduces the no-hype night TRIIAL, a word-of-mouth band and DJ night harking back to the days when an emerging band’s every utterance wasn’t Twitter-pated. It’s all about putting your trust in the new tastemakers, and seeing the best of the unknown. Metal, jazz and blues are all making a serious weekly showing too.
THE HAUNT
Tucked away next to the Poole Valley coach station, The Haunt is a hip new makeover for a club that hasn’t been on everyone’s radar, KuKu. Championing the new wave of bands that embrace a crossover into all things synth, pop and electronica, their star-spangled launch line-up – on Thursday 3rd – serves as a taster for the nights that follow. There’s a heady concoction of cool contemporary artists on the bill, including our favourite Brighton menswear ambassadors, Mirrors, playing live alongside the hotly-tipped London pop trio Is Tropical. And that’s just for starters. Headlining is a tag-team of the hippest front women around; Romy Madley Croft of the Mercury-winning act The XX, and Kim Ann Foxman from the disco-centric brilliance of Hercules & Love Affair. As Henron and his team are at the controls of The Haunt it makes sense to see legendary 80s night It Is Still 1985 is setting up camp weekly from Saturday 5th. We’re sure you all know how good it is by now, and those who don’t, it’s a mere three pounds entry to find out.
FREEBUTT
The announcement of the reopening of The Freebutt came as a huge surprise. The new-old owners, The Joiners – who ran it before the OIB/Dark Party/Lonely Ghost/et al crew took over – are carrying out the soundproofing as we type. They’re even promising to do away with the troublesome pillar we often found ourselves stuck behind. A new stage, PA and lighting system are also being brought in. The launch party had been pushed back due to some council-related complications at the time of going to print; but we’re keeping them crossed it’ll all be put to rights. Welcome back old friend.
SESSION
Born out of the ashes of the Engine Room opposite the West Pier, the venue has been transformed from its former days as a punk/grunge grotto. Kitted out in style with a brand new sound system, cloakroom and sophisticated paint job, it’s now aimed at the more discerning clubber. Open every week till 6am; Friday’s r’n’b night is drinks deals galore, Cristal a-flowin’, Saturday is more of a funky house vibe, but Thursdays are reserved for student types so don’t fret, all are welcome.
YARD/OCEAN ROOMS
We had high hopes for the Ocean Rooms’ takeover by the Yard; Friday nights’ Under The Volcano had real promise, but alas it seems the once award-winning venue has had the wind taken out of its sails for the moment. It’s up for auction at Christie’s again sometime in the future, so hopefully it’ll see a new lease of life soon.
2011
