1066 Invasion
Hope, Weds 15th May
Although Hastings is often maligned as Brighton’s poorer cousin, the two resorts have a lot in common, including a vibrant music scene and the fact that no-one’s been banged up for torching their piers. Tonight’s gig finds Brighton promoters Never Been Kissed and the town’s Pierless Music site showcase a raft of 1066 region bands, with a headline slot for heavy Britpop tunesmiths Plasticine (as seen at One Inch Badge’s Sea Monsters festival earlier in the year). (SH)
London In Stereo & Fear Of Fiction
Latest MusicBar, Thurs 16th May
One of the big advantages of the Alternative Escape strand is that non-TGE wristbanded kids can get a taste of some of the main festival’s hotly tipped acts. This evening’s gig is one such show, with a headline slot from London’s noisy pop kids Wolf Alice, very much at the 90s influenced, Elastica-esque end of things, with an indie celebrity coupling involved to boot. Also hopping across from the Great Escape bill are Brighton’s own indiepop hopefuls Fear Of Men. (SH)
Make Noise
Life, Thurs 16th May
At the end of 2012, long-time friends and tour buddies Machinedrum and Jimmy Edgar decided to release an EP under the collaborative alias Jets. The resultant four-track ‘Meu’ proved what a brilliant idea that was. Their 60 minute mix for Boiler Room just raises the anticipation of the duo’s set for Make Noise tonight. Jets’ sound is a laid-back, sleazy beast, easing into r’n’b and boogie with equal smoothness, all topped off with slick samples and footwork rhythms. (JMM)
Noisescape
Bartholomew Square, Thurs 16th May
Taking over the square outside Moshimo, Noisescape is an all-dayer that finds some of Brighton’s best home-grown bands sounding off against the pillars of the Town Hall. Monsters Build Mean Robots bring the post rock heaviness, there’s blues-soaked post-punk from Black Black Hills, the synthetic motorik brilliance of AK/DK, Dark Horses’ sinister electronic rock, math trio Cat Fire Radio, mysterious soundtrack makers Nordic Giants and maybe some surprise guests. A lot more fun than querying your council tax bill at any rate. (SH)
Two Sisters
Fitzherberts, Thurs 16th May
Brighton rockers Demob Happy found themselves splashed across the local papers last month when enthusiastic fans at a house party gig caused the floor to give way. The Argus reported that residents in the block had been made temporarily homeless following the exuberant student bash. Hopefully Fitzherberts is more solidly built for when the band bring their melodic grunge to Two Sisters Records’ showcase. (SH)
Alcopop! Vs Big Scary Monsters
Pavilion Tavern, Fri 17th May
The Pav Tav hosts another massive showcase at this year’s Alternative Escape, with around 20 noisy tykes signed up. Getting underway at 1pm and continuing right through until the following morning, it’s an endurance test for even the most energy drink-fuelled teen troublemaker. Brighton hardcore crew Gnarwolves make an evening appearance, Fight Like Apes and Johnny Foreigner grab the peak late night slots, with Her Parents and Oxygen Thief finishing off the stragglers as sunrise threatens. Tough stuff. (SH)
Under The Influence
Fitzherberts, Sat 18th May
Antifolk starlets The Bobby McGee’s keep notching up successes in unexpected areas – from Jimmy’s besting of Anne Robinson on The Weakest Link to Eleanor’s expanding vintage dress empire in her Dig For Victory shop. The band are releasing a download single every month in the run up to October’s ‘Bon Bon’ album, a wickedly funny set that broadens on their ‘indy-pop lindy-hop’ sound. This weekend’s slot is at Under The Influence’s Billy Bragg tribute night. Get yer ukes out. (SH)
The Alternative Escape, Wed 15th – Sat 18th May
Words by Stuart Huggett, Jessica Marshall McHattie
