THE BRONX Concorde 2, Tues 4th
What more could you ask for your money than the same band on twice in one evening? Fiery hardcore punk group The Bronx and their fantastic alternative guise, South American-inspired Mariachi el Bronx, take over for an evening of sensational Californian hard rock. Since the release of their third eponymous album two years ago, and the spawning of their mariachi avatars last year, a tour has been hotly anticipated. Their presence will tear the Concorde apart, twice over. (NH)
THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA Prince Albert Weds 5th
The latest in a long line of fine Canadian exports, The Wilderness Of Manitoba will be making their first trip to UK shores in support of debut mini album Hymns Of Love And Spirits. Their music is infused with a sense of wonder and lingering melancholy – all windswept vocal harmonies, gently finger-picked banjo, solitary guitars and cello; bringing to mind the likes of The Low Anthem and Red House Painters. Completing the line-up, support comes from highly rated local folks Thirty Pounds Of Bone and Twenty One Crows. (IC)
MR HUDSON Concorde 2, Thu 6
When Kanye calls, do you answer? Are you envisaging the path to pop riches and fantastic musical innovation stretching ahead or a grinning death knell on the other line, that boorish, self-deluded foghorn wreaking havoc in your mind and career forever? Having ditched his Library and replaced it with the rap superstar’s wisdom, the jury is still out on whether the undeniably gifted Brit singer-songwriter is now going up or down. If you see Hudson tonight, ask him what he reckons. (BG)
MR HUDSON Concorde 2 Thurs 6th (Second Opinion)
Documenting his break-up in a concoction of bright new-wave synths, captivating lyrics, sunny melodies and crushing beats, Mr Hudson bursts onto the Concorde’s stage with a selection of his songs from his recent album, Straight No Chaser. The star has already made a name for himself on the music scene with his memorable, gravity-defying anthems Forever Young and Supernova and collaborations with artists such as Kanye West. An electro-genius armed with the ability to mesmerise all who listen. (CC)
THE FALL Concorde 2 Sat 9th
In Britain, there is one label (Domino) taking the fight to the bad (all the others). Their recent signing of Mark E Smith’s rabble confirms that this man, who required just four words on the new Gorillaz album – “Where’s North from here?” – to steal the show, remains our most precious rock icon. Theirs is a marriage made in heaven and tonight the vows – new album ‘Your Future, Our Clutter’ – will be sprinkled upon Brighton like flakes of amphetamine confetti. (BG)
THE FALL Concorde 2 Sun 9th (Second Opinion)
To the general delight of The Fall’s fiercely devoted fanbase, Mark E Smith has hit a bit of a purple patch recently: a stable group, a committed record label (Domino, already home to Smith’s Von Südenfed project with Mouse On Mars) and a new album Your Future Our Clutter garnering some excellent advance reviews. Amongst the popular tall tales surrounding The Fall, Smith’s genuine, visionary lyrical talent rarely registers as highly as it should. Quite likely, Britain’s greatest band. (SH)
WOLF PARADE Concorde 2 Mon 17th
The task of assembling all four members of Wolf Parade together in the same room these days takes copious amounts of diary juggling scheduling. Between them they front and play in over seven different bands of equal dedication and quality, though it’s with this incarnation that the quartet excels. Showcasing material from their eagerly anticipated third album and from their last two seminal LPs, expect a raw voracious performance of melodic twists and turns. (DV)
THE BUNDLES Komedia, Thu 20th
Prepare for the most anti-folk night you will ever encounter. Post-punk coming out the rafters in the form of lovely, cuddly Kimya Dawson and exuberant and acerbic Jeffry Lewis and band, whose combination forms The Bundles. Their album took mere days to record but has been roughly eight years in the making, and this is their first ‘official’ appearance as a touring band, having previously simply been resurrected whenever the two groups were found in the same room. This could be an unforgettable night, and history in the making. (NH)
HOLY FUCK Digital, Fri 21st
It is the music festival we all dreamed of. Friday night headliner, Fucked Up. Saturday night, Fuck Buttons. Then, topping the bill and bringing the curtain down on our opera of swearing, SOURCE presents Holy Fuck, Toronto’s incomparable, krautrocking, mind-bending, machine-gone-mad, electro-spaz quartet, who are about to deliver on their hugely promising debut ‘LP’ with barnstorming follow-up ‘Latin’. Are there any promoters left in Brighton who haven’t gone bankrupt and are fucking brave enough to put this bash on? (BG)
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS Centre, Mon 24th
Originally formed as a progressive alternative to Robert Baden-Powell’s boy’s movement, this three-piece were raised in Harrow, London, where children are given no information or guidance concerning world history or gender. It was only with the invention of the internet that they became aware of the Girl Guides and decided instead to launch a pop career, spectacularly culminating in recent number one ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, which many misinterpreted as a paean to the Brownies. Please bring your woggles. (BG)
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS Brighton Centre Mon 24th (Second Opinion)
Super-terrifyingly happy and over-exuberant Scouting for Girls are here with their endlessly repetitive, mind-numbingly catchy pop. It will probably be akin to forcing Rainbow Drops into your ears. They show no sign of getting any less silly, colourful, or of going away, but there is a knowing self-referential nod to the nature of their music, especially in their latest single This Ain’t a Love Song. Grin and bear it. (NH)
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS Brighton Centre, Mon 24th (Second Opinion)
Returning to the Brighton Centre once again to promote their fantastically whimsical new album, Everybody Wants to Be On TV, Scouting for Girls are set to sell out the venue and provide the audience with a night of foot-tapping, sing-along fun. The energetic trio will perform memorable feel-good anthems such as She’s So Lovely, Elvis Ain’t Dead and their new single This Ain’t a Love Song, and are being joined by new talent Alex Gardner; you’re guaranteed a fun-filled evening! (CC)
TANLINES Jam Mon 24th
It seems Brooklyn is currently the centre of a percussion based disco explosion, but following the release of their impressive debut EP Settings, it’s clear Tanlines have a flavour all their own. A cyclone of polyrhythmic bongos entwine with afro centric steel pan melodies and semi-incomprehensible vocals to create a sweltering union of tropical charm. Dwelling between a production duo and band (cited as Larry Levan meets Tears For Fears), they make a welcome visit to recreate that island glow. (DE)
FUZZBOX Engine Room Mon 24th
There’s no earthly reason why We’ve Got A Fuzzbox And We’re Gonna Use It have reformed, but, hell, everyone else is doing it. A brief career trajectory, from C86 and the Peel show to momentary chart glory with International Rescue and Pink Sunshine, saw Fuzzbox soar like a firework before fizzling out like a squib. Sod it though, if they can bring some sherbet flavoured sunshine pop to the dark corners of the Engine Room then we’re with them all the way. (SH)
HAYSEED DIXIE Concorde 2 Tues 25th
As a very stark contrast to Pendulum (playing on the same night), Hayseed Dixie provide the Concorde with their usual esoteric act of the month, proving that any genre can be a floor-filler, and that nothing is sacred when hillbillies are involved. Brew up some moonshine, get your dungarees on, and prepare for full-on, high-speed, bluegrass defamation of songs such as War Pigs, Paint It Black, and many many more. (NH)
MARTHA TILSTON Komedia, Tues. 25th
There is nothing that so aptly and beautifully evokes the atmosphere of Brighton in the summertime than the dreamy, seductive folk songs of Martha Tilston. With her stories of wrapping up for a night-ramble to go and stare at the moon, or heading to the park with “a frisby that glows in the dark”, her enchanting voice cannot help but carry you away. Next thing you know you’ll be swimming beneath a moonlit pier and you will remember why you live in Brighton. (NT)
BITTER RUIN Hanbury Weds 26th
Bitter Ruin are hosting another spectacular evening in the suitably plush surroundings of the Hanbury Ballroom, this time centered around the launch of their first LP, Hung Drawn And Quartered. As well as plenty of appearances from other Brighton talent (such as Jimmy of the Bobby McGees and Dominic of Sweet Sweet Lies), there will be more sweeties, champagne, darkly gothic humour and a hint of cabaret throughout this scintillating evening. (NH)
THE GOOD NATURED (The Recommender Party) Jam, Sat 29th
As if getting The Recommender blog’s stamp of approval wasn’t enough, this London female solo artist has recently made it onto Kitsune’s trend-setting compilation album, as well as Q Magazine’s, Popjustice’s and The Guardian’s ‘Song Of The Day’, for My Body Is A Machine. She brings to the refurbished Jam venue a mixture of Bat For Lashes’ musicianship and Kate Nash’s lyrical bite. Expect stylish, melodic, piano-led pop tunes, alongside a batch of irresistible choruses. Next year’s Ellie Goulding anyone? (MB)