With the 60th Brighton Festival only a week away, we take a look at some of the standout contemporary music shows on offer this year, featuring exclusive collaborations, classics re-imagined & global icons.
Brighton Festival’s landmark 60th edition features one-off collaborations and exclusives, new interpretations of contemporary classics and iconic performers in its music programme, including shows by Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Sampa the Great, Angélique Kidjo, Asian Dub Foundation, Laurie Anderson and Patti Smith. Ranging from pop and folk to fusion jazz and electronica, musicians will travel from more than 16 different countries to play at this year’s Festival, across Brighton Dome’s three historic venues.
Opening the music programme at Brighton Dome Concert Hall on 1 May, legendary singer, composer and trans elder Beverly Glenn-Copeland performs from his brand-new album Laughter in Summer, blending soft, folky melodies with gentle electronic sounds and joined by members of queer-led community choir F*Choir. On 9 May, the Concert Hall hosts an exclusive collaboration between groundbreaking artist Sampa the Great and Zamrock pioneers W.I.T.C.H. The Zambian powerhouses will join forces for a night of psychedelic rock, hip-hop and soul, celebrating music born from independence, resilience and creative freedom.And on 16 May, five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo will bring her striking voice and presence to the stage as part of the tour for her new album, Hope.
On 2 May, The Chateau and Southbank Centre present a celebration of Bronski Beat’s defiant debut album, The Age of Consent. Reimagined live on the Brighton Dome Concert Hall stage by ground-breaking queer and trans contemporary artists including Planningtorock, Tom Rasmussen and Bishi, the performance will be backed by The Chateau Collective, a specially curated queer house band playing bold new arrangements of the record. On 7 May in Brighton Dome Corn Exchange, screen and sound combine as Asian Dub Foundation celebrate cult classic La Haine in two powerful performances of the soundtrack live on stage, with the film playing behind them.
In a UK exclusive for Brighton Festival’s 60th edition, pioneering multimedia artist and former Festival Guest Director Laurie Anderson presents a solo version of The Republic of Love (6 May, Brighton Dome Concert Hall), an immersive, multi-sensory experience of song, language and visual art. Patti Smith returns to the city for a two-night residency, performing with her long-time collaborators as The Patti Smith Quartet (12 May, Brighton Dome Concert Hall) and in An Evening of Words and Music (13 May, Brighton Dome Corn Exchange), a Brighton Festival exclusive showcase of her spoken word, poetry and music. On 25 May, celebrated New Zealand artist Aldous Harding opens her first live tour since 2023 at Brighton Dome Concert Hall, playing tracks from her upcoming fifth album.
A series of gigs take place in the intimate setting of Brighton Dome’s Studio Theatre throughout this year’s Festival. Musicians from 16 countries come together as part of One World Orchestra, where ancient instruments meet contemporary beats (1 May). Grammy-nominated US jazz-fusion legends KNEEBODY perform classic hits as well as tracks from their new album REACH, featuring their trademark genrebending sound (2 May). Electronic pioneers AK/DK and synth artist Danalogue share the stage for an adrenalin-fuelled evening of electronic music (3 May). On 20 May, multi-award-winning pianist Ivo Neame teams up with his long-time collaborators Tom Farmer on bass and James Maddren on drums, in a special Brighton Festival edition of Brighton Dome’s Jazz Connections series. And The Mehfil Space & zerOclassikal present Mehfils: A Studio Theatre Takeover, featuring intimate performances of South Asian-inspired music (23 May).
On the final weekend of the Festival, Brighton Dome Studio Theatre welcomes a two-day Youth Curated Weekend of events and music. Sussex music education hub Create Music presents Sounds Like Us: a youth-curated multidisciplinary event showcasing emerging Sussex-wide talent. And as part of their city and Festival-wide We, Generate events programme, Brighton art gallery Lighthouse’s Future Creative Leaders present live art, music and talks (25 May).
Additionally, ahead of select music events at this year’s Festival, Brighton Dome’s Foyer will host a series of jazz performances in collaboration with local not-forprofit Brighton Jazz Co-operative, who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year. Brighton Festival 2026 runs from 1-25 May. For more information and to book tickets, visit brightonfestival.org.
Beverly Glenn-Copeland photo – Brianna Blank
