ENGINE RETUNED
The Engine Room, Brighton premiere haunt for all things post-rock and the scene of many a legendary city debut, has been at the very forefront of the scene for the last five years. Part of the scuzzy rock’n’roll appeal of the place was that it was a little down at heel, but the time has come for a facelift, New bogs, a new bar, a bigger stage, better PA, air conditioning and an overall lick of paint should totally transform the place without turning it into just another chrome and neon Nightmare On West Street dull-house. The place is under new ownership and this injection of fresh blood and the improved facilities can only make the venue better than ever.
CRAP SNAPS ZAPPED
If you’re a photography failure, a digital dunderhead, you could do worse than picking up a few timely tips from Fotos On Foot, a walking and learning tour hosted by expert snapper Laura Dodson. On a lovely two-to-three hour session you get to walk about the city, learning about composition and camera skills taking a bunch of new and improved photos as you go. Remember though, no one needs any more pictures of the busted up West Pier. For more information or to book a tour, go to fotosonfoot.co.uk
RADIO DJS DJ
The Victory will be adding to its roster of DJ talent from this month onwards, with Radio Reverb taking up a residency starting on Friday 17th. The night will be called Cheeky Looks and Dirty Squeaks, and will feature a plethora of the station’s DJs on rotation, so you can probably expect a pretty eclectic selection of tunes. As with all nights at The Victory, entry will be free.
STILL MAD FOR IT
It’s time to dust off those Adidas Gazelles and your funny cagoule and get laddish again with some halcyon sounds of yesteryear. Snap, Crackle, Britpop! is a new night, last Saturday of the month at the Pav Tav, which promises some ace pre-recession partying to the sounds of Blur, Menswear and Ocean Colour Scene. Dynamite Sal and C-Dogg are behind this so we know it’s going to be good. A lot of the booze is at 90s prices too, if you need any more persuasion.
MUMBLES RETAIL RUMBLES
Dave Mumbles from the Brighton Rumble Rockabilly Club has extended his love of all things quiff-related and opened a 50s-themed shop in the North Laine. Mumbles Vintage Emporium is in the basement underneath Loot at 25 Gloucester Road, and has a great range of affordable retro furniture as well as Jack Hammer t-shirts, Red Hot Ruby rockabilly t-shirts, rare rockabilly vinyl and DVDs. Bop down and buy some.
TICKLE YOUR FANCY
Hotel Pelirocco has long been Brighton’s sexiest hotel, a modern take on the dirty weekend legend that made our fair city infamous. From the funky bar to the rooms designed in homage to some of the most maverick and interesting musicians, artists and thinkers ever to walk the earth, everything about the place screams sexiness. So if you’ve already had it off in all the rooms, you’ll be pleased to know they’ve unveiled a new room, Ophelia Fancy, where you could get someone you fancy to feel ya.
SOLO SPECIAL SPINS
Shebeen is a new quarterly night – that’s four a year, math fans – at Al Duomo down Pavilion Buildings, Opening up on July 4th, it promises original selector DJs playing a top notch selection of tunes from funk to jazz, reggae to soul, hip hop to club classics. First out of the traps on Saturday 4th is gap-toothed ska legend Jerry Dammers, presumably with lots of free time on his hands since pooh-poohing the triumphant Specials 30th anniversary tour. Backing him up are Pressure Drop DJs and Shane Henley.
FLYING TONIGHT
The West Hill (formerly Belle Vue) opens a new night on Saturday 11th – Tonight We Fly is billed as an evening of cinematic sounds for doomed romantics. There might not be a massive amount of actual disco dancing as you slooshy to the sounds of My Bloody Valentine, Scott Walker, The Shangri-Las and Nancy Sinatra, but it sounds like a good antidote to fidget house and wonky pop, should one be required. And it’s free to get in, which is always a bonus.
