BN1 MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018

YOUR GUIDE

NOV 2018

TO BRIGHTON & HOVE

MOGWAI ARI SHAFFIR COURTNEY BARNETT KAWALA BLOXX

INTRONAUTS

TAKE A STEP INSIDE

PLUS GUIDE

THE BEST GAMES OF 2018 & WHERE TO PLAY THEM

SPONSORED BY

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NOVEMBER 2018

COMPETITIONS THE GOOD BOOKS LIST

8 9 10

COURTNEY BARNETT

11

MOGWAI

12

KAWALA

14

BLOXX

15

AMIINA

16

(C) Ken Jomes

(C) Brian Sweeney

MUSIC

(C) XDB Photography

6

CLUBBING

18

COMEDY

20

ARI SHAFFIR

22

THEATRE

24

INTRONAUTS

26

GAMING

28

GAMING HOTSPOTS IN BRIGHTON

28

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GAMES

30

BEST GAMES RELEASES 2018

32

BEST APPS

33

BEST FAMILY GAMES TO PLAY 34 THIS FESTIVE SEASON INCLUSIVE GAMING

36

COMMUNITY

38

SPRING INTO SOUND

38

FOOD NEWS

39

SILO

40

PABELLON

42

TV & FILM

44

CROSSWORD

46

(C) XDB Photography

NEWS

(C) Marathon Artists 2018

TH E PL A Y I SS U E

A NOTE FROM THE EDITORS...

Hello, and welcome to BN1 Magazine’s ‘Play Issue’.

Regardless of if you’re alone, with family or friends, playing games is enormously beneficial to your wellbeing. Even when you play Fortnite you’re developing hand/eye coordination, strategic thinking and risk management. Games teach us discipline and teamwork, and occasionally how to survive in a post-apocalyptic world armed only with a bottle opener.

They can also bring people together, promote discussion and inflame competitiveness. It’s a space where you can create new versions of yourself or gain valuable insights into others.

Regardless of age, ability or interest, there will be some kind of game out there for you. It might be on a console, across a board, online or in your own imagination, a sense of play is all you need. Above all they can be fun. Just remember, we don’t want to see any sore losers.

- BN1 MAGAZINE DAILY UPDATES AT WWW.BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK /

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BRIGHTON & HOVE'S LARGEST INDEPENDENT CULTURE GUIDE, SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES, THE ARTS AND EVENTS

EDITORIAL EDITOR IN CHIEF CHRIS SADLER

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EDITORS NAMMIE MATTHEWS

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STUART ROLT

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CONTRIBUTORS JESS ENGLISH CITY BOOKS TEAM MARINA MARZOTTO PRENTISS MITCHELL JACK MARSHALL RYAN GULLIFORD ELLIOT MARTIN SOPHIE WILLIAMS

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EVENTS NEWS WHAT’S ON IN BRIGHTON AND HOVE THIS MONTH

ICE SKATING AT THE PAVILION

MON 3 NOV 2018 - SUN 13 JAN 2019 ROYAL PAVILION BRIGHTON royalpavilionicerink.co.uk

Halloween has passed so it’s time for us to get in the Christmas spirit. This year the Royal Pavilion prepared an incredible group of events that will stun even the biggest Grinch in the city.

From 17 November to 1 January there will be a magical Christmas display on the Royal Pavilion rooms with the Banqueting Room table set with Georgian style desserts.

Expect to find an incredible decoration through out the Pavilion with glittering trees. Don’t forget the camera! In the Music Room, you’ll be able to create an amazing Christmas photo with a replica of Queen Victoria’s sleigh.

The traditional ice rink will begin on the November 3rd and will keep going until the January 13th. This year the rink will have two separates areas. A first one with 880-square metre for the experienced skaters and a second one with 130-square metre, for the first-riders, providing a safe area to learn the skill.

For those who just want to watch and relax in the festive atmosphere The Royal Pavilion prepared a rink-side bar and kitchen. Right next to the ice, there will be a Christmas themed space with snacks, meals and even stone baked pizzas. Craft beers, gins, mulled wine and cider will also be available. The restaurant will be open from 9.30am everyday and will run until late.

If you fancy something even more stylish, you can attend at one of the three Christmas Banquets that will be held at the Banqueting room. Every Friday of December glasses of sparkling wine and canapés will be served followed by a three-course Christmas dinner with wine and coffee.

(C) Brighton Pictures

For the ones who love the Snowman, a great exhibition of the original illustrations for Raymon Brigg’s classic book will stay on until 6 January. If you feel nostalgic during Christmas and want to revisit some childhood memories, that’s the perfect place to be.

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THE RED BOX PROJECT FUNDRAISER WEDS 14 NOV KOMEDIA BRIGHTON popupbrighton.co.uk

Remember how embarrassing it was to have your first period? Imagine if your family couldn’t afford to buy sanitary products. One national community-initiative claims this is the reality for as many as one in ten girls in the UK - and is campaigning for school to provide such items so that no girl misses school because of her period.

The Red Box Project has been working since March 2017 to provide schools with sanitary items, donated by members of the local community.

The initative has rolled out across 14 schools in Brighton & Hove so far, but is in desperate need of supplies and additional funding.

This month, a fundraiser for the project, ‘The Red Collection’, will take place - held by Sister Society at Brighton’s Komedia this month.

The fundraiser will feature fashion and artwork donated by a variety of mainly local female artists with a catwalk show and exhibition.

(C) Robin Maddock

Every item will be available for sale at the event with any items not purchased on the night listed for sale on Sister Society’s website afterwards. Items include one of a kind t-shirts, floral dungarees, sparkly headpieces, laser-cut jewellery and screenprints.

The event has gained generous sponsorship from Lewes FC Women, meaning 100% of the proceeds from the sales of donated items will go directly to The Red Box Project.

The proceeds raised will fund the set up of new red boxes in schools providing girls who cannot afford or do not have access to sanitary products including tampons, pads and spare underwear.

This event also gives consumers the opportunity to actively participate in the fight against period poverty in their local area, whilst also treating themselves to some feel good fashion or making a start on their Christmas shopping.

Tickets are just £3 each, and can be purchased at the Komedia box office or online.

Sister Society is a feminist network based in Brighton, founded this year.

PLUS! • •

BEST PLACES TO HAVE A RETRO GAMING EXPERIENCE IN BRIGHTON - PAGE 26 BEST GAMES RELEASES OF THE YEAR - WE HAVE THE LOWDOWN ON PAGE 30

BONFIRE/FIREWORKS NIGHTS IN BRIGHTON FRI 2 - MON 5 NOV VARIOUS

Remember, remember all the fireworks and bonfire celebrations going on this year. There’s Preston Park’s fireworks display on Fri 2 Nov, Nevill Recreational Ground’s on the Sat 3 Nov and Brighton Racecourse’s on Sun 4 Nov. Not to forget, of course, the biggest and best of them all: Lewes Bonfire on the fifth.

LILY RIGBY: WHERE SKY MEETS LAND SAT 3 - SUN 11 NOV ONCA GALLERY onca.org.uk

Artist Lily Rigby launches a very special solo show at ONCA gallery this month.

Specialising in delicate oil paintings, heavily influenced by landscapes and the sea, Lily creates organic pieces of landscape art via a unique process.

BRIGHTON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON THURS 15 NOV CITY CENTRE

brilliantbrighton.com Ding dong! Brighton city centre’s Christmas lights switch-on is almost here and for 2018 it’s going to be bigger, better and more festive than ever! Last year’s switch on was absolutely packed, so make sure you get down there early!

BBC2’S QI EVENING THURS 22 NOV ROPETACLE CENTRE city-books.co.uk

The seventh book in BBC2’s QI series – 2,024 QI Facts To Stop You In Your Tracks – brings the grand total of QI facts up to a staggering 10,000. Join the three writers, James Harkin, Anne Miller and John Lloyd or an evening of info and merriment.

BOARDWALK APARTMENTS Whether you fancy treating yourself or your mam when she comes to visit, these spacious apartments at the Marina may just be the best self-catering option out there.

PHILEAS FOGG ADVENTURES Who’d’ve thunk something actually cool would pop up at Hollingbury Industrial Estate? Join Jules Verne’s world wanderer on a trip around the world in this Crystal Maze-style adventure.

BONFIRE NIGHT Lewes’ favourite night of the year returns - but who are we burning at the stake this 5 Nov? Odds on our very own Dancing Queen.

HOT OR NOT THE CLOSURE OF STICKY MIKE’S NOOOOOO. THE WEATHER While it wouldn’t be a properly British discussion without it, we’re already fed up with complaining about the cold.

DECISION ANXIETY What do you mean, I can only budget to buy one game this month?

Between Red Dead Redemption, Assassin’s Creed and Forza (see our full list page 30), it’s absolutely impossible to choose.

THE PLAY ISSUE

7

AMAZON FIRE BUNDLE

(C) Lily Holman

INCLUDING SCREEN PROTECTOR

To celebrate the launch of our November Gaming edition, we’ve got a special treat for our readers - the chance to win an Amazon Fire tablet!

Play our favourite game apps (page 31) on the tablet while relaxing at home, or use it for your next Netflix binge or web browsing (or, god forbid, actual productivity) on the go. Or, use it as a high-tech educational tool for kids - there are so many opportunities!

The Amazon Fire tablet (RRP £49.99), which includes a 7” display, 8GB of storage and both front and rear cameras.

There’s also a Micro SD slot (up to 128GB), plus unlimited storage for your Amazon content via a free cloud account, so you can have everything you may need at your fingertips.

KRAFTWERK RE:WERK TICKETS AT BRIGHTON DOME

40 years after the release of their momentous album TransEurope Express, electronic group Kraftwerk’s work is reimagined thanks to a soaring symphonic, multi-sensory performance at Brighton’s Dome Concert Hall this month.

Kraftwerk Re:werk will see Charles Hazlewood conduct the Army of Generals and The British Paraorchestra, taking Kraftwerk’s iconic album Trans-Europe Express as the starting point for a thrilling symphonic trip.

For your chance to win one Amazon Fire 7” tablet, compete with Ailun glass screen protector, answer the following question:

We’ve paired up with Brighton Dome to give one lucky reader the chance to win a pair of tickets to Kraftwerk Re:werk on Sat 17 Nov at 8pm. To be in with a chance of winning simply answer the following question correctly:

What is the name of the Amazon e-reader?

Which city do Kraftwerk originate from?

A. Kindle B. Kinder C. Tinder

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BN1 MAGAZINE

A. Berlin

B. Hamburg

C. Düsseldorf

R

O.UK TO ENTE

GAZINE.C GO TO BN1MA

BN1 BOOK CLUB

GOOD BOOKSList

The

WIN!

PROVIDED BY

Independent Hove book shop City Books lists their bestsellers for this month...

1 2

Melmoth by Sarah Perry £16.99

Sarah Perry returns following the huge success of The Essex Serpent and is already drawing rave reviews for her Gothic masterpiece Melmoth. ‘Mythic, ominious and sensitively human, Melmoth is haunting in all the best ways.’

-Frances Hardinge

(C) Ineptgravity

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks, £8.99

‘HOME’ CHRISTMAS CIRCUS AT BRIGHTON DOME

After the success of Pirates of the Carabina’s FLOWN at Brighton Festival 2014 and again at Brighton Dome in 2015, the company return with HOME, an ingenious new circus show with an inventive, interconnected set and original live score.

Coming to Brighton Dome from Sat 15 - Sun 23 Dec, the heart-warming show sees the world-class performers soar and expertly tumble through the air, exploring themes of finding connection with the world.

Combining ballet, theatre and circus performanca, It’s the perfect alternative to a pantomime this Christmas.

We’ve partnered with Brighton Dome to give away FOUR tickets to see Pirates of the Caribina: HOME on Fri 21 Dec to one lucky winner. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question below correctly: Who was the first trapeze artist?

A. Isaac Van Amburgh B. Annie Oakley C. Jules Léotard

3 4

International treasure Tom Hanks demonstrates his wide reaching talent in this sweet, funny collection of short stories. Each story features a typewriter - Hanks collects them, and the book is peppered with photos from his collection - but vary in theme from space to war, Hollywood to American suburbia. Is there anything he can’t do?!

Poverty Safari by Darren McGarvey, £8.99

Orwell Prize winning Poverty Safari comes with considerable praise - described by JK Rowling as ‘Savage, wise and witty...It is hard to think of a more timely, powerful or necessary book’, by Irvine Welsh as ‘nothing less than an intellectual and spiritual manual for the progressive left.’

McGarvey - who you may know as rapper Loki takes the reader inside the realities of poverty in Britain and sets out what we can all do to make real changes.

Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss, £12.99

Sarah Moss never fails to produce beautiful, thoughtful work and her latest novel does not disappoint. Teenage Silvie is living with her parents on an experimental dig in Northumberland, recreating life as it might have been in the Iron Age. Her relationship with her difficult, domineering father is tested in this harsh environment as past and present violences come to a head.

5

The Flame by Leonard Cohen, £20

A stunning edition of Leonard Cohen’s last writings, featuring lyrics, prose and illustrations.

The Flame offers an intimate and previously unseen window into the life and thoughts of an unforgettable poet and lyricist.

THE PLAY ISSUE

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MUSIC

SUN 11 NOV

(C) Mia Mala McDonald

(C) Yvonne Schmedemann

SAT 5 NOV

The bad boy electronica pioneers are back, releasing their seventh studio album No Tourists this month. Their influence can be seen across generations, turning metal kids onto raving and ravers into metalheads with genre-destroying record and incredible live shows. Over the year, the trio have clocked up a staggering six No.1 albums, sold 30 million records, played to many millions around the world and won multiple awards. Though much has changed in the musical and social landscape, what remains a constant is The Prodigy’s resolute focus to always do things their own unique way and in 2018 the urgency and irrepressible spirit of The Prodigy has never been more needed.

FRI 16 NOV

(C) Vincent Haycock

BN1 CHOICE

THE PRODIGY BRIGHTON CENTRE

SUN 25 NOV

GOGO PENGUIN CONCORDE 2

COURTNEY BARNETT BRIGHTON DOME

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE BRIGHTON CENTRE

The Manchester-based piano trio bring more hypnotic instrumentals to town. Their music draws equally on rock, jazz and minimalism, all warped into something unique. Touring their new album A Humdrum Star, GoGo Penguin will be dazzling audience with their collective musical genius.

Singer/songwriter Courtney Barnett first came to light in 2012 with the self-released EP I’ve Got A Friend Called Emily Ferris, creating some of the most alternative, subgenre music right now, infusing rock, folk, pop and garage styles together. She recently released her fourth studio album, Tell Me How You Really Feel.

Bringing a blend of Baroque pop, pastoral folk and artful rock, Brighton welcomes the sound of Florence and the Machine. This summer saw hugely-anticipated release of her new album, High As Hope. This has the feel of a career-defining moment for Florence, venturing into new territory as much as her roots.

BAD SOUNDS Sat 3 Nov, The Haunt: Brothers Callum and Ewan released their debut album this year, delicately mixing R&B and soul.

PROJECTOR Fri 9 Nov, The Haunt: For their debut EP launch, local bright things Projector deliver a performance you won’t want to miss.

JADE BIRD Thurs 22 Nov, The Haunt: This exciting upcoming artist scored millions of listeners with a single EP release his year.

FRIGS Mon 5 Nov, Prince Albert: If you’re a fan of Wolf Alice, then FRIGS are a Canadian reincarnation of exactly that.

SAY SUE ME Mon 12 Nov, The Hope & Ruin: Surf-inspired indie rock from South Korea - Say Sue Me bring something special to the table.

DUCKING PUNCHES Sat 24 Nov, Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar: Ducking Punches gives an alternative twist to the mainstream punk scene, by adding folk into the mix.

PLANNER

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BN1 MAGAZINE

WORDS: SOPHIE WILLIAMS

C O U R T N E Y

IMAGE: POONEH GHANA

Currently in the midst of her world tour, and with an acclaimed second album doing the rounds, Courtney Barnett feels able to share how she’s faced misogyny in the music industry, the secret to song-writing genius and the juggling of her successful record label, Milk!

The release of Tell Me How You Really Feel may have come as a shock to some fans, the themes and ideas of the album retreating to the darker realms of Barnett’s mind - a far cry from the funny and candid lyricism of her debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think and Sometimes I Just Sit. Nevertheless, Barnett’s wittiness still surges through the album, her vulnerability and honesty proving a triumph to not just her fans but to her own self-discovery both personally and as an artist.

“I guess the album does take a darker approach”, she reveals, “I guess it was just the headspace I was in, where I was and the stuff that was going on with me at the time”.

Known primarily for her cleverly crafted lyrics, Barnett’s second album deals with relevant issues artists face daily in the music industry, the songwriter saying “I spend a whole lot more time on lyrics, I’m always trying to say something or get an idea across”. This rings true with Tell Me How You Really Feel, Barnett expressing her experiences with sexism and misogyny: “A lot of the time I didn’t realise that I was facing it,” she continues “It was so common and I was so used to and accepting of it that once I realised, it made me angry that I’d been putting up with it for so long”. She endeavours to reveal how she saw it as a reverse understanding and that it was her own internal mind. After figuring out that she was, along with many other women in the music industry, affected too, she decided to take a stance and write about her experiences. Cue Tell Me How You Really Feel.

B A R N E T T

The conversation wasn’t all so serious however, with Barnet revelling in the delight of making others happy with her music: “I think sometimes when you spend so long writing a song and recording it, and then doing promo and touring, you sometimes think: what’s the purpose of all of this? Then there’s a little kid at a show who’s having the best time and that makes it all make sense”.

She continues to express the pleasure that she gains from her own music, telling us she finds the success she created for herself as an independent musician both “liberating” and “rewarding”. Alongside her musical project, Barnett also runs the successful record label Milk! with parter and fellow musician Jen Cloher. “It’s difficult, it’s extra work,” she admits, “but it’s all so worth it”.

It’s also so worth going to see Barnett live. An extravaganza of magnificent melodies, sparkling stage presence and of course those instantly recognisable and ingenious lyrics.

Courtney Barnett is coming to Brighton Dome on Fri 16 Nov.

THE PLAY ISSUE

11

MOGWAI WORDS: PRENTISS MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY: ANTHONY COOK (THIS PAGE) BRIAN SWEENEY (OPPOSITE PAGE)

Stuart Braithwaite, lead guitarist and essentially ‘frontman’ of Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, is an awfully chipper man. “It’s a nice day here. The last few days have been pretty biblical, so it’s lovely today,” he says to me cheerfully. I can almost hear the smile on his face through his good-natured tone, an amusing contrast to the stereotype of what you’d expect from a member of a moody, ethereal band that formed in Glasgow.

In August, Mogwai released their first feature-film soundtrack for the sci-fi crime/drama and box office bomb KIN, an under-marketed Lionsgate picture starring James Franco, Dennis Quaid, and Zoë Kravitz, which received generally negative reviews from critics.

However, it is widely agreed on that the soundtrack is great (as with all Mogwai’s soundtrack work). “It was quite a painless process,” says Stuart.

“It was different to soundtracks and scores we’d created before though -

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the level of detail for every scene was varied, so the music itself had to mirror that. We were very happy with it in the end.”

The topic moves on to Les Revenants (or, The Returned) an acclaimed French supernatural drama which Mogwai also scored, that ended’ in 2015 after just two seasons. “If they made a third series and asked us to come back, we’d love to. That was a big project for us. To be honest though, those who make music for TV shows and films are pretty much bottom of the ladder of people who know anything about whether or not the show is coming back.”

Mogwai are a band continually evolving and finding success. Having formed in 1995, and frequently championed by legendary DJ John Peel until his death, Mogwai released their most recent album, Every Country’s Sun, in late 2017. It was their highest charting

release to date, 22 years into their career, getting to number six in the album charts. “We were so happy with how the album turned out” he says.

“What’s great about that record is that we really enjoyed making it too, and then on top of that it’s really nice how it was received.”

Mogwai also played their largest headline show ever in December 2017, Glasgow’s SSE Hydro Arena, to a crowd of 13,000. Not only that, but Mogwai were personally chosen to play Robert Smith’s Meltdown festival earlier this year in June; a huge achievement for Braithwaite, for whom The Cure were instrumental in his early life. “We never imagined having this longevity, not at all,” laughs Stuart. “Every day feels like a surprise to us. We weren’t really that ambitious when we started, other than just trying to make great music. And so now it’s a huge honour for Robert to ask us to play Meltdown Festival. The Cure are a really special band for me.

EVERY DAY FEELS LIKE A SURPRISE. WE WEREN’T REALLY THAT AMBITIOUS WHEN WE STARTED...

Braithwaite seems very happy to talk about how, as part of a short, five-date winter tour starting this November, Mogwai will be playing at Brighton Dome. “I love Brighton. I’ve spent a long time staying down there when my

girlfriend used to go to university there.

There’s lots of good things to do, nice people, you’re by the seaside; it’s a lovely place”. He begins to reminisce.

“Actually, our first ever encore we did was at a pub in Brighton. We’ve played a lot of the smaller venues there, they’re great. And it’s a worrying trend that a lot of them are closing (see Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar); it’s erasing culture, which is a terrible thing.”

As we wrap up, Stuart leaves me with some tantalising details of the future.

“We’re working on a soundtrack for an unannounced TV series at the moment, which will probably take us through to next summer, alongside the upcoming tour dates. We’re planning a record too, which will start at some point.

Staying busy.” It seems to be onwards and upwards with more of the same from these cult, post-rock legends.

Mogwai play Brighton Dome on Sun 25 Nov. THE PLAY ISSUE

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KAWALA

BY SIMON NEAL

YOU ARE COMING TO PLAY THE GREAT ESCAPE IN 2019, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE COMING TO PLAY SUCH A GREAT FESTIVAL AND SHOWCASE FOR NEW BANDS? If feels amazing! We had the pleasure of playing last year and it was a show that I’d say has changed our lives. So to be back is very exciting.

BUT BEFORE THAT, YOU’LL PLAY BRIGHTON PATTERNS AS PART OF THE HOPSCOTCH TOUR ALONGSIDE APRE AND SUN SILVA ON 24TH NOVEMBER- HOW ARE YOU FEELING AHEAD OF THIS TOUR? Itching to get out on the road. Slightly nervous as we haven’t ever really toured before but all the UK cities we’ve been to already have been an absolute joy so we can’t wait!

YOU ORIGINALLY STARTED AS A DUO, WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO EXPAND YOUR SOUND AND DRAFT IN A FULL BAND? I think we got caught in a bit of a rut being a purely acoustic act. Don’t get me wrong, we enjoyed that set up and we still play like that occasionally. But it hit a point where we couldn’t keep playing at acoustic Sunday gigs in church crypts, so we decided to beef up the sound and see how far that could thrust us forward.

WHAT CAN FANS EXPECT FROM A KAWALA LIVE SHOW? We aim to make our shows as fun for the audience as possible. Ideally moments where we want you to really listen, but mostly moments where you can get your groove on and have a right party with us.

RUMOUR HAS IT, YOUR NAME DERIVES FROM A MISSPELLING OF THE KOALA BEAR- IS THIS TRUE AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE THAT THIS WOULD BE THE NAME OF YOUR BAND? So we had two days till our first gig and were still nameless. I noticed that Jim had the word koala written down somewhere as Kawala (due to his severe dyslexia) and we thought it was appropriate enough for a first gig. Sadly the name as stuck.

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YOU RELEASED THE D.I.L.Y.D. EP EARLIER THIS SUMMER, DO YOU FEEL THIS EP FULLY REPRESENTS YOU AS A BAND? In all honesty, not entirely! Don’t get me wrong we’re so proud of it. Our music live is where it’s at it’s strongest we feel. A lot more raw and organic sounding so definitely come catch a show for the most honest kawala experience!

YOU HAVE DEFINITELY DEVELOPED YOUR OWN UNIQUE AND DISTINCTIVE SOUND- WAS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU, TO MAKE MUSIC THAT COULD NOT BE MISTAKEN FOR ANYONE ELSE? Well that means a lot! We’ve always just set our sights on trying our best to not make music based on trends, but merely combining sounds and tricks that we’ve gathered from bands/genres we’ve loved over the years.

THIS IS OUR GAMING ISSUE- ARE ANY OF YOU GAMERS, WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT THE MOMENT? WHAT GAMES DID YOU ENJOY GROWING UP? Well I know Jim was a huge Call of Duty fan for years but I think he may have eased off now. The rest of us love a bit of FIFA but I just say our gaming doesn’t really extend past that.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2019?

Releasing more music! The EP will be out across the new year and early next year. Then hopefully gigging as much as possible and having a lot of fun doing it.

ARE YOU WORKING TOWARDS A FULL ALBUM AT ALL? We will be indeed. Once the EP is out, our attention will hopefully turn to an album. The thought of writing for an album sounds way too fun to be a real job.

Kawala come to Brighton’s Patterns on Sat 24 Nov as part of the Hopscotch Tour.

B L O X X

BY PRENTISS MITCHELL

Bloxx, a young, indie-grunge four-piece based in Uxbridge, have had a hell of a 2018 so far. Their first single of the year, Novocain, saw them championed by Annie Mac on Radio 1, whilst they supported huge bands like Pale Waves and The Wombats and sold-out their own UK headline tour in the meantime. They’re now in the process of a UK headline tour that will see them through to the end of November.

This will bring them to Komedia Brighton on Sun 18 Nov. “Any chance we get to play Brighton, or just go there, is really nice,” says Taz, lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the group. “Brighton holds loads of good memories for us last time we were there was for The Great Escape, and we packed out Horatio’s. And there’s so many amazing bands from Brighton too, whether it’s Black Honey, Royal Blood, The Magic Gang – it feels like everyone’s from Brighton at this point.”

Whilst their 2018 growth has been exponential on their already impressive introductory year in 2017, the group seem to take it all in stride, not batting an eyelid. “We don’t question or say anything about our growth. We don’t want to ruin or jinx our good luck so far. I feel like if we stop to think about all this, it’ll be over.” Taz tells me half the band have already achieved a lot of their life goals, perhaps explaining why they don’t seem to be too fazed by their continuing success: “Theoretically, I could die tomorrow and I’d feel like I’ve died a well-accomplished person.”

Speaking to Taz, I really get a sense of the excitement and bewilderment fledgling bands like Bloxx, who are all aged 20-22, must feel before they become used to the cyclical nature of the music industry. “Playing Reading and Leeds was a dream come true. It’s amazing enough to be there, but to be an artist playing there, and have people pick your music to come and watch, will never become old for us.” He goes on to describe the surreal nature of putting faces to the

numbers you see on Spotify that indicate how many times a song has been streamed. “So many diverse people come to see us after hearing us on Spotify, its mad! At Sound City, three middle-aged Scouse women came up to us after we’d played and wanted to be our groupies, thinking we were much older than we were after listening to us on Spotify!”

The controversies Spotify has whipped up in its ten years of life is no secret, with many high-profile musicians such as Taylor Swift, Thom Yorke and Beck having slammed the music streaming mega-company in the past. Bloxx, however, are refreshingly thankful for its existence and its supposedly meritocratic nature. “If not for Spotify, we wouldn’t be where we are today. At the start of this band’s history, four people agreed to write a song together and put it out there, and without Spotify, it wouldn’t have been discovered to the same extent. There’s no reason to hate something that’s one of the biggest reasons we’re listened to in the first place.”

Two years into their career, Bloxx are a band with a successful future ahead of them. Having not even released an album yet, their music is already tipped to be the ‘new’ Indie sound. Taz, however, is content with the present. “I’m a huge fan of Guns N’ Roses, and I watched a video recently of Slash and Duff being interviewed in the 80s. They were asked where they see themselves in 10 years, and they said it doesn’t matter. What matters is now. We’re going to make music until we can’t anymore. I’m the same as them; if you concern yourself with trying to stay relevant, that worry is going to make you struggle, and make your output worse.

So, let’s just continue making music, and if we’re still here in the future, great – if we’re not, well, we had a fun time.”

Bloxx come to Komedia Brighton on Sun 18 Nov.

THE PLAY ISSUE

15

A M I I N A Icelandic string sextet perform silent movie score in latest ACCA showing WHAT WAS IT ABOUT FANTÔMAS FILM THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WRITE AN ACCOMPANYING SCORE FOR IT?

Every time a new album comes out is a highlight, writing new music and preparing for shows never gets old.

There are five Fantômas films in total; we were asked by Yan Thiersen to pick one to score for an event in Chatelet Theatre in Paris. We chose the second film since it had so many crazy and surreal scenes - it really stood out. In Halloween 2013 we then premiered the score along four other bands (each scored one film) for a marathon Fantômas show.

IS IT REFRESHING TO DO SOMETHING NEW?

CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT THE PROCESS? WHICH NARRATIVES DID YOU MOST WANT TO REFLECT IN THE MUSIC? The film was super fun to score. One moment you are making music for a slow and contemplative scene, the next you are scoring a crashing train or a man wrestling a boa constrictor. We try to help the storytelling by creating little themes for characters and situations as aids or guides. The film is by nature very surreal so that is not always easy. The restoration of the film is amazing and it is so interesting to see Paris 1913 in HD. HOW DOES WRITING FOR FILM DIFFER FROM YOUR USUAL WORK? With film you have a blueprint so we make themes and songs that compliment the scenes and weave them together throughout the movie. As for writing for albums, things usually come out of thin air.

YOU’VE BEEN WORKING IN MUSIC FOR TWO DECADES NOW; WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST EXCITING PARTS OF YOUR MUSICAL CAREER? 16

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It most certainly is, and Fantômas really presented an opportunity to create something that was a bit off the beaten path for us thanks to its rich and surreal imagery.

YOUR STYLE TENDS TO CHALLENGE THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT A SHOW SHOULD ENTAIL (PLAYING MULTIPLE DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS ON STAGE). ARE THERE CHALLENGES TO PLAYING IN THIS STYLE? DOES IT MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT WHEN YOU’RE TRANSFERRING PERFORMANCE FROM THE STUDIO TO THE STAGE? Working in the studio you don’t necessarily think about how your work will translate on the stage practically speaking.

YOU’VE WORKED WITH SIGUR ROS A LOT OVER THE YEARS; WILL YOU COLLABORATE WITH THEM IN THE FUTURE, OR ARE YOU KEEN TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON YOUR OWN PROJECTS NOW? We are going to keep on doing our own stuff and projects for the foreseeable future. We have actually started working on new music and we will see... maybe we’ll have a new record released soon?!

SUM UP THE SHOW IN A SHORT AND SNAPPY SENTENCE. Ooooo thats a hard one...help us!

Amiina - Fantômas comes to ACCA on Sat 17 Nov.

YOUR

MUSIC CAREER STARTS HERE

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GUITAR • BASS • DRUMS • VOCALS • SONGWRITING MUSIC PRODUCTION • MUSIC BUSINESS • EVENT MANAGEMENT MUSIC JOURNALISM

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES UNRIVALLED CONNECTIONS TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY EUROPE’S MOST CONNECTED MUSIC COLLEGE

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CLUBBING BN1 CHOICE

WONDERLAND DISCO THE ARCH

SAT 10 NOV

Dimitri from Paris comes to Brighton for the very first time. Disco’s most-prized asset and a true musical connoisseur, Dimitri has an unfailing dedication to giving a party exactly what it needs, when it needs it. Contrary to his musical pseudonym, he was born in Istanbul, later moving to the French capital.

Creator of the first ever house music show to be broadcast in France, Dimitri has a full UK tour schedule this month, with only one Brighton show. Guests like Faro, Sami Kubu, Sandor and SDXN make this a must-go night.

SAT 17 NOV

FRI 16 NOV

WEDS 21 NOV

SAM DIVINE HIDEOUT BRIGHTON

SPELLBOUND KOMEDIA

MY NU LENG PATTERNS

Having played nearly every club in Ibiza, including residencies at Ushuaia, Amnesia and Sankeys, there are few who can offer a house education like Sam Divine. She brings her debut tour to Hideout, which sees this leading lady unleash a 3-hour extended set. Also joining her will be the awesome Jess Bays.

The 80s club night for people who HATE 80s nights, with Simon Price and Jenna (the team behind legendary London glam night Stay Beautiful) playing alternative classics by the likes of Siouxsie, Soft Cell, Stray Cats, Smiths and Specials (and that’s just the eSSes!). Throw those hands in the air, mankind’s greatest decade is here to rock you.

Bass heavyweights My Nu Leng will be performing intimate shows this November. With loads of releases under their belts for Black Butter and MTA Records, Tommy and Jammo have built on their tastemaker status to produce remixes for the likes of Naughty Boy ‘s UK No.1 La La La, Right Here by Rudimental, and Clean Bandit’s Mozart’s House.

NOW THAT’S WHAT I CALL BANGERS, Fri 16 Nov, Komedia: 90s and 00s bangers all night from Henry WP, Rebecca Manning and Sacha Hills, for those who miss club music best decades.

FRICTION Fri 16 Nov, Concorde 2: Brighton’s multi-award-winning, bass-legend Friction unveils his new Connections album, with help from Dimension and Turno.

FESTIVAL OF THE DEAD Fri 16 Nov, PRYZM: Festival of the Dead is a contemporary event, infusing elements carnival, circus, theatre and unadulterated fun.

JUNGLE MANIA Sat 17 Nov, The Arch: Jungle Mania return for their last Brighton show this year, offering fullon bass vibes with a camo party.

PLANNER MEMORY BOX, Sat 3 Nov, Patterns: This month sees Heidi, who has rocked XOYO, Sonar and Circo Loco with her immaculate house and techno offerings.

MASKED FIREWORKS BALL Sat 3 Nov, Komedia: Disco Lovers with a firecracker of a night on Fireworks weekend! Expect massive disco bangers and house sparklers at this masked ball!

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AIDAN MOFFAT & RM HUBBERT

Sunday 4th November Sticky Mike’s

NATTY

Thursday 8th November Concorde 2

JUST JACK

Tuesday 13th November Patterns

EASY LIFE

Wednesday 14th November The Green Door Store

ESTRONS

Friday 16th November The Green Door Store

TOSKA

Sunday 18th November The Haunt

Hofesh Shechter Company

AXEL FLOVENT

SHOW

The Prince Albert

Tue 6 Nov

RALEIGH RITCHIE Concorde 2

The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble

ZEAL & ARDOR

Wed 7 Nov

Tuesday 20th November

Tuesday 27th November

Saturday 1st December The Haunt

The British Paraorchestra

SKINDRED

kraftwerk re:werk

Concorde 2

Sat 17 Nov

Sunday 9th December

MOM JEANS.

Wednesday 16th January The Haunt

THIS WILD LIFE

Saturday 9th February

Black History Month Family Day Sat 24 Nov

The Haunt

POLYPHIA

Sunday 10th February The Haunt

BLUE OCTOBER

Tuesday 19th February Concorde 2

LoutPromotions.co.uk

Now booking for Christmas Pirates of the Carabina

HOME Sat 15 - Sun 23 Dec

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COMEDY BN1 CHOICE

STEPHEN K AMOS KOMEDIA

TUES 13 NOV

MON 26 NOV

Know for his political satire, Stephen K. Amos made his name by making us laugh over subjects which had the potential to make us cry. This Autumn he is back with a new tour, Bouquets and Brickbats. Forget that the world is burning outside and relax in a night of charismatic stand up. As seen on QI, The People’s History of LGBT, Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, and What Does The K Stand For? on BBC Radio 4, Amos now comes to Komedia with an aim to cheer us up.

TUES 27 - THURS 29 NOV

SUN 18 NOV

SIMON EVANS KOMEDIA

KEVIN BRIDGES BRIGHTON DOME

JASON BYRNE THE OLD MARKET

Not afraid of talking about any subject, Simon Evans built his career on making jokes of everything – from birth to death. With his own BBC Radio 4 comedy show, Simon Evans Goes to Market, he showed his power of looking at the economic behind everything and everyone. He now comes to Komedia with a new show: Genius, as he wants to be recognised.

After seeing what’s happening to our world, Kevin Bridges decided to save it with ‘amusing anecdotes and witty observations”. Three years after his last tour he comes back to the road with the Brand New Tour, clamming to have all the answers. We are not sure everything will be solved after the 27th, but at least we will get a very funny night.

Crazy stunts, improvisations, audience participation and unscripted live shows. That’s Jason Byrne. As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC), The Royal Variety Show (ITV), Don’t Say It Bring It (Dave) and Wild Things (Sky), the Irish comedian now comes to Brighton on a unmissable show. Expect a unique, brilliant act at The Old Market.

LIVE AT BRIGHTON DOME Sat 10 Nov, Brighton Dome: Live at Brighton Dome returns with James Acaster, Desiree Burch, Mark Watson and compère Ed Gamble.

JEN BRISTER Sat 24 - Sun 25 Nov, Komedia: She’s been at the Apollo, on Netflix and on BBC. Now she returns to the Brighton stage for a double feature.

LAURA LEXX Sat 17 Nov, Komedia: A brutally honest show delivered by a woman who spent 2017 trying unsuccessfully to have patience, and a baby.

ROSS NOBLE Sun 18 Nov, Brighton Dome: He is back with a new show and now calls himself El Hablador. Expect some dancing too.

PLANNER SARAH MILLICAN Thurs 1 Nov, Brighton Dome: From her own television show, she now comes do the Brighton Dome to teach you how to eat a biscuit and cuss correctly.

VIKKI STONE Wed 7 Nov, Komedia: Award-winning comedian and musician Vikki Stone comes to Brighton with her piano to present a mixture of songs and stand-up.

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WWE LIVE Fri 9 Nov

THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD Sat 17 Nov

THE HUMAN LEAGUE Fri 23 Nov

NOEL FITZPATRICK IS THE SUPERVET Sat 24 Nov

BJORN AGAIN Fri 30 Nov

LEA MICHELE & DARREN CRISS Sat 1 Dec

YEARS & YEARS Tue 4 Dec

DEACON BLUE Wed 5 Dec

MAGIC OF MOTOWN Fri 7 Dec

JASON MANFORD Sat 8 Dec

JOOLS HOLLAND Sat 15 Dec

JEFF WAYNE’S THE WAR OF THE WORLDS Sun 16 & Mon 17 Dec

box office 0844 847 1515* www.brightoncentre.co.uk *calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge

THE PLAY ISSUE

21

ARI SHAFFIR

BY STUART ROLT

Holding no interest in being ‘woke’ or politically correct, Ari Shaffir could be one of his generation’s most dangerous comedians. Suspended from Twitter and notorious for a ream of delightfully confrontational stunts on YouTube, it’s too easy to assume he’s only out for shock and awe. A Netflix two-part special Double Negative, which did some tidy business last year, revealed a more thoughtful side.

His initial rise to fame was courtesy of hidden camera series The Amazing Racist. It featured imaginative, and often surreal, pranks on LA streets.

Suddenly these ironic shorts were gathering millions of views online. It also signalled a version of Shaffir who felt comfortable shouting at strangers.

“That’s the cool thing about being a performer,” he tells me. “You get to let out a version of yourself that you wouldn’t normally be brave enough to be. It’s kind of like the equivalent of YouTube commenters who wish AIDS on you. Those people would never do that in person, but the internet’s anonymity has freed them to be a vicious version of themselves.” He says it’s the same with performing. The distance between stage and audience allows statements you’d be far too embarrassed to say on the bus or to people you know.

Inevitably, his filthy, dark and hilarious material has brought a few threats to his well-being, mainly from individuals unable to separate humour from 22

BN1 MAGAZINE

hubris. It’s not something which overly concerns him. “To be honest, I got scared when I started getting them.

But I haven’t taken them seriously in 15 years. That’s just the way people express their displeasure online. They don’t really mean it.” He does take it as a sign someone, somewhere, is angry.

But, it’s pointless doing offensive material if no-one is outraged. “You need someone leaving the room, screaming about what an asshole you are, to make everybody who stays feel like they’re hearing something dangerous. Comedy is counterculture.

It’s fine if it’s not for everybody. That’s just part of the deal.” While wearing Klan outfits and talking about his various drug habits might distance him from the mainstream, the internet (mostly) gets the joke. The plaintalking has seen him co-hosting the brilliant Punch Drunk Sports podcast and regularly appear on The Joe Rogan Experience. While his own series Skeptic Tank attempts to make sense of the human experience with guests like stuntmen, prostitutes and a Holocaust survivor.

After Shaffir’s critically-acclaimed stand-up show Jew, he’s now spreading sardonicism internationally with The Wandering Jew tour. A former seminary student, years of studying the Talmud sharpened his logical thinking - something boldly apparent throughout his comedy. “It helps you analyse the world in a way that other schools of teaching don’t offer. It helps

you break things down to their core, so you can see what the details truly are.” He’s been trolling and tearing down gods for years, and doubts it’ll ever stop. It’s inarguable he loves causing offence, gauging limits on his own moral compass.. He also tries not to read the inevitable blog posts and reviews his performances generate, for fear it’ll impact the art. “I’m not running for office. I’m making people laugh. So that’s where my responsibilities lie.”

He seriously doubts many people change their minds or political stances because of what comedians say.

“It won’t ease any of the tensions.

And it won’t exacerbate them either.

The people who want to be angry at comics, the ones you look at jokes as ‘statements’ to be picked apart and get angry about, they’re going to find plenty of stuff out there to fill that.” He does concede you can affect opinions on issues where people lack settled positions. Doing gags which normalise open relationships, not having children or traveling, can get audience member to consider more open ways of thinking.

He used to do a joke about morning blowjobs and got reports on how people were getting them the morning after seeing his show. “So, you know, in little but still meaningful way, you really can make a difference…”

Ari Shaffir comes to Brighton’s Komedia on Mon 19 Nov.

0 a

U

REGGAE AT 50

HORACE OVÉ (REGGAE 1971) 11 NOVEMBER

ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION

LA HAINE

(LIVE SCORE)

16 NOVEMBER

AMIINA FANTÔMAS

(LIVE SCORE)

17 NOVEMBER

LAST DAY OF FREEDOM 19 NOVEMBER

01273 678 822 attenboroughcentre.com

CINECITY 2018

University of Sussex, Gardner Centre Road, Brighton BN1 9RA

THE PLAY ISSUE

23

THEATRE BN1 CHOICE

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY, THEATRE ROYAL

TUES 13 - SAT 17 NOV

FRI 2 NOV

WEDS 7 NOV

Mischief Comedy return to Brighton with their latest show The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, now celebrating its third year in the West End. Following the enormous success of The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, the critically-acclaimed production had a lot to live up to, but succeeded greatly.

All three shows even ran simultaneously during the Christmas 2016 season.

This comedy of errors takes place in Minneapolis in 1958, following a crew attempting to steal a priceless diamond.

Expect betrayals, stupidity, innuendos, and slapstick galore.

WEDS 14 NOV

POP MUSIC THE OLD MARKET

THINKING QUEER: AUDRE LORDE ATTENBOROUGH CENTRE

MONSTERS: A MODERN FRANKENSTEIN STORY RIALTO

Part-gig, part-theatre, Pop Music is an emotionally contagious rollercoaster

by Bruntwood Playwriting Prize Winner Anna Jordan.

Follow dysfunctional G and Kayla through a wedding, free bar, and thirty years of Pop, as they discover they have more in common than just their taste in music. The show is followed by the Stick It On after-party.

Audre Lorde was a trailblazer of critical thought; a feminist, black, lesbian woman whose poetry, writing, and activism had a huge impact on society, and continues to do so, 26 years after her death. This night of reflection on her work will also feature some of the UK’s most forwardthinking artists sharing their brandnew work at ACCA.

Monsters is a contemporary retelling of the story of Dr Frankenstein. On the night of his wedding, Frankenstein’s creature comes back, and he is forced to justify the actions of his youth as his past destroys what’s around him.

Celebrating 200 years of Shelley’s classic tale, independent theatre company Pitchy Breath modernises the story for this generation.

INTRONAUTS Sat 10 - Sun 11 Nov, The Old Market: Green Ginger unveils a tale of miniaturised humans carrying out essential maintenance inside people.

IT’S OKAY, I’M DEALING WITH IT Wed 28 Nov, The Old Market: Cristina MacKerron and Chess Dillon-Reams unravel their struggles and vulnerabilities with mental health through dance, comedy, and song.

PLANNER THEY DANCE IN THE DARK Sat 3 Nov, The Marlborough Theatre: London-Berlin based artist RENU continues her live multi-media performance tour and electronic queer dance odyssey of her album They Dance In The Dark.

FAME Mon 5 - Sat 10 Nov, Theatre Royal Brighton: Relive the ups and downs of life at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts.

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TRIAL BY LAUGHTER Mon 19 NovSat 24 Nov, Theatre Royal Brighton: Writing team Ian Hislop and Nick Newman return for their new play Trial By Laughter, about hero of free speech, William Hone.

DICK WHITTINGTON Fri 30 Nov, The Meridian Centre: Dick Whittington and his cat Thomas travel from Gloucester to London to find his fortune in this classic tale.

Phileas Fogg’s Winter Wonderland From 24 November

rough h t y e n r u o J sets g n i z a m a 6 1 nta to meet Sa Join Phileas Fogg on a magical, fun packed immersive live pantomime adventure around the world to meet Santa!

The expereince runs every weekend until Christmas, from 24th Nov (including 20th and 24th Dec) Sussex House, Crowhurst Road, Brighton For all bookings and information visit: www.phileasfoggsworldofadventures.co.uk

THE PLAY ISSUE

39

INTRONAUTS TAKE A STEP INSIDE

BY ELLIOT MARTIN

Chris Pine, Green Ginger’s artistic director and performer, has managed to squeeze me into his very busy schedule.

As the award-winning performance company perfect their theatrical journey deep within the human body, it’s all hands-on deck.

He first tells me he is currently “500 km above the arctic circle.” He and his company from Bristool, along with some locals, have claimed residency in a small village at the top of Norway. However, he does reveal it has; “three theatres, five theatre companies and an international theatre festival, if you can get your head around that.” This idea of such a small village at the top of the world accommodating that many creative facilities might seem unfathomable. He then explains the abundance of oil wealth and the generosity of their host theatre company, who took a liken to the Intronauts concept, it becomes apparent Chris and his team are in a good place to bring their ideas to life. “We’re slightly spoilt, and as I said earlier, the idea of leaving some kind of legacy here is important to us.”

Our conversation segues into the realities of theatremaking, and how touring with a large team becomes a bridge to burden. “You end up not paying your wage.” Chris suggests a lot of performers do it for the love now. Many of his co-workers must supplement incomes with teaching or other jobs where they can, which is hard. “We’d love to be full-time theatre makers but the reality of that... it’s tricky.”

With Green Ginger, he’s built a strong, 25-year-old relationship with his Norwegian partners. Having previously staged workshops and performances there, as well as three co-productions, they have developed a deep creative connection. Chris enthuses about leaving a legacy in Norway. “We’re not just flying in, taking advantages of

their generosity and going off.” Using local technicians, and producers means the company can bring a smaller team from Bristol alongside and give something back to the community.

Their latest conception, Intronauts, is inspired by 60s classic The Fantastic Voyage, and Spielberg’s Inner Space - the idea of shrinking down a miniaturised submarine in the body and sending people called Intronauts to maintain your internal organs. This futuristic premise will be performed

by Chris and his puppeteers. Offering little dialogue, the production allows its visuals to relay most of the story. It also allows those with hearing disabilities to equally enjoy the show. Almost every aspect of the show has been beautifully considered. From overcoming language barriers, to what type face they use on the projections.

In a not-too-distant future, people can buy personal cleaners called Intronauts; miniaturised human workers injected into their bodies in order to carry out essential maintenance. But what happens if your cleaner discovers your dirty laundry And how much do you actually want to know about what goes on inside?

This hilarious and innovative show offers an intoxicating glimpse of what Green Ginger are capable of. Chris and his team are always trying to challenge themselves and push work in unexpected directions. “We could just do the same thing. We have a house style, so we’ll just copy that. But, that would be mundane and a little bit boring, so we want to try new things... to really push us into new and scary places, that’s when the magic happens.”

Green Ginger bring Intronauts to The Old Market on Sat 10 – Sun 11 Nov.

“We’re slightly spoilt, the idea of leaving some kind of legacy here is important to us.”

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BEST GAMES SPOT S IN BRIGHTON

BY JACK MARSHALL

BRIGHTON & HOVE IS NO STRANGER TO THE RECENT GAMING NOSTALGIA HIT. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE CITY HAS BEEN LEADING THE CHARGE IN THE RISE OF BARS AND ESTABLISHMENTS OFFERING A SIDE OF RETRO GAMING OR DICE-ROLLING WITH YOUR USUAL PINT. WE’RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO GET YOUR GAMING KICKS IN BRIGHTON & HOVE. THE WORLD’S END / @WORLDSEND_BTN / 60-61 LONDON ROAD Following its renovation, The World’s End transformed from a traditional pub to Brighton’s most well known game bar.

Whether you are dodging terrorist bullets on the Time Crisis 2 arcade machine, strapping into one of the four virtual reality booths, or racing up to nine friends in the upstairs stock-car racing arena, the World’s End is the most unique bar of its kind to find in Brighton & Hove. Try not drink too many of the 50 craft beers they have available before strapping into the virtual reality booths. You may be flying off to a magical new land but the other patrons at The Worlds’ End can still see you.

PHOENIX COFFEE HOUSE / @PHOENIXCOFFEEBTN / 51 LONDON ROAD A few doors up from the World’s End is the delightful Phoenix Coffee House. With its rustic retro vibe, Phoenix Coffee House is a wonderful place to sit, watch the world pass by, and waste away an afternoon perfecting your ollie in Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2. An impressive collection of retro consoles and games adorn Phoenix Coffee House but it’s their excellent coffee, delicious food, and warm atmosphere that makes the overall experience. And it’s only further complemented by the background noise of Sonic the Hedgehog speeding through Emerald Hill on an original Sega MegaDrive.

DICE SALOON / @DICESALOON / LONGLEY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, NEW ENGLAND STREET Anyone who visited Dice Saloons previous location will not be shocked to hear they recently moved to a new larger location.

Most nights the board-game and tabletop fantasy game cafe were filled to the rafters. But their new warehouse-sized location Dice Saloon has been able to expand into a space far more accommodating to their popularity. Dice Saloon offers a location to play board games, roll some D-6s for critical damage, or enjoy a range of hot-snacks from their cafe. Their excellent board game shop boasts the latest board games at very competitive prices. And they also have a selection of board games which can be borrowed (kept on site of course) to be played with friends. Dice Saloon is the perfect way to introduce friends to the world of board games.

PCBANG.UK / @PCBANGUK / LONGLEY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, NEW ENGLAND STREET Gaming center’s in South Korea are as common as newsagents, however, the UK has struggled to jump on this bandwagon. Newly nestled next door to Dice Saloon is the neon glowing gaming hub of PcBangUK. PcBang.Uk brings the South Korean gaming hub idea to Brighton. It does this by offering powerful gaming machines, a wide selection of games, and comfortable chairs to lose hours to. Alongside this, the low hourly prices mean you have no excuse to not try out some of the latest cutting-edge graphical games without having to remortgage your house for a new graphics card.

C:\SIDEQUEST / @DRINKRELAXPLAY / MADEIRA DRIVE Sitting on the beachfront in the shadow of the Brighton Palace Pier, C:\ Side Quest is a chilled out cafe offering areas to play the latest video games or one of the board games from their collection of over 120. At C:\ Side Quest you’ll get a real feel for their passion for gaming. Cult Lucasart’s adventure characters decorate the walls in the form of cross-stitch, and retro gaming consoles fill the giant screens with some more obscure cult classics available. C:\ Side Quest is the perfect location for a lazy Sunday afternoon laying tracks in Ticket to Ride or dodging blue-shells in Mario Kart 8 all the while sipping on a delicious americano.

RETROBUTION / @GAMING_RETRO_UK / VARIOUS Recently many confused locals may have found their usual watering hole transformed into something more reminiscent of an 80s arcade. This is thanks to the Retrobution team of Chris and Kat. Hardcore retro fans and dedicated games, they travel from venue to venue around Brighton & Hove (as well as further towns such as Worthing) setting up a small army of CRT monitors and retro consoles. What makes Chris and Kat’s ongoing commitment to providing retro gaming to as many as they can even more impressive is that all their games and consoles are originals; not an emulator or rom in sight. And nothing can beat playing your childhood favourite games in exactly the way they were intended to be played.

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BN1 MAGAZINE

GAMING BY THE...

C:\SIDEQUEST

BY TACITA FRENCH

Most gamers will recognise the struggle that is balancing the need to be social and gaming alone, right? We know we should go out for drinks, but that new game we just bought continues to beckon.

So, what about a local cafe that combines both? A chill atmosphere with drinks and food, and most importantly, free games. Located on the sea front, just past The Sea Life Centre, is C:\ Side Quest, a gaming cafe and the place to be for chill Friday nights, Mario Kart tournaments and some of the best vegan food around.

I got a chance to speak to Alice Nevermore about how Loading, the gaming chain behind C:\ Side Quest came to Brighton. “We’ve been quite popular from the very start. People were waiting for our

opening which had to be delayed a couple of times as it always happens. When we decided to open here, we knew that there was a very supportive audience, and in a way reaching the community here is much easier than in London just because of the size and how everyone is connected.”

With their first cafe born in Cornwall in 2010, Loading now has four locations with three in London and one in Brighton. Brighton offers many opportunities for businesses but it’s not as big as London, so what exactly attracted to them to our seaside city? “Brighton is already very well established in the games industry, there are plenty of independent studios, Unity offices and the huge Develop conference - it was just missing us!”

Loading definitely caught onto something here. Video games and the industry continue to grow every day and the likelihood is gaming cafes will boom in popularity. Alice explained why she thinks Loading has grown the way it has, “There is a rise in the type of people who want to go out and socialise, but don’t want to drink like crazy - they want to do it in a more intelligent way. There had been board game clubs and arcades, but nothing that mixed the gaming experience with a casual cafe environment. Easy access is another point, it’s free, no need to book and everyone is welcome. You don’t even really need to be into games, you can just come and have a coffee and a doughnut.”

Games and doughnuts? I’m sold.

ABOUT C:\ SIDE QUEST Location:11 Lower Promenade, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1ET Opening times: Sunday - Thursday 10am-10pm, Friday - Saturday 10am-11pm Part of the Loading gaming group, which includes four venues across London and Brighton.

Games include board games, arcade games, and consoles including the Nintendo Switch.

Vegan and gluten free food available.

Alcohol available with some grub or a board game.

Games are free to play as long as you grab a bite or drink!

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COMPUTER GAMES

BY MARINA MARZOTTO

1972

1977

The first arcade game, Pong, is introduced.

It quickly becomes a legend! It was a simple tennis game but caught the attention of millions of people. A home edition is released three years later in 1975.

1997

1996

The first

Nintendo comes out with their third console, the Nintendo 64 – the last cartridge one. Sales don’t reach the console’s predecessor, ending at 33 million.

is released

1999 Sega releases the Dreamcast. Considered to be ahead of its time and the pioneer of online gaming, the Dreamcast sold 10.6 million units.

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1993

Sony releases the PlayStation console, marking the end of the cartridge game.

2000 Sony releases the most popular and most widely distributed console of all time: the PlayStation 2.

Another hit, The Sims is released for PC.

Mortal Kombat, one of the first two-player fighting games, comes out in arcades.

2001

2004

Microsoft finally gets in on the game, releasing the first Xbox console.

Halo: Combat Evolved becomes one of the most popular games in history.

The most popular handheld of all time, Nintendo DS is released.

2013

“Free to play” becomes a dominant business model. They make hundreds of millions of dollars through micro transaction payments for in-game items and premium content.

2015

Space Invaders hits arcades, with 60,000 machines popping up all over the U.S.

1994

2014

Google releases the VR cardboard box, allowing mobile devices to become virtual reallity screens.

1978

The Atari 2600, one of the first at-home consoles is released.

The console included an external slot where game cartridges could be plugged in. Global sales reach 28 million.

2016 Sony releases its first virtual reality headset, the PlayStation VR. In July, the first big AR mobile game is also released, Pokémon Go!

Microsoft releases the Xbox One, with current worldwide sales at 31 million.

Sony has more than double that number with the PS4 63 million units.

2017 Nintendo’s Switch introduces the first hybrid mobile/video game console into a game market dominated by smartphones and tablets.

- A BRIEF HISTORY 1979

1981

1980 Namco’s Pac-Man is seen in arcades for the first time and ends up selling 350.000 arcade units.

Atari’s most successful game, Asteroids, is released.

1989 A great year for games!

Nintendo releases the first handheld system, the Gameboy, with worldwide sales reaching 118 million. Sega Mega Drive console complete with Sonic the Hedgehog is released, selling 38 million around the globe.

We are introduced to Mario (then Jumpman) in the infamous Donkey Kong arcade game. In one year, Donkey Kong sells 60,000 arcade units.

1986

1984

Sega releases the Sega Master System as a competitor to the NES.

Tetris is released!

Nintendo releases the NES in the US. Super Mario Bros is released and sells 10 million copies before year’s end; the game went to define “platforming”

2006

2005 Microsoft continues to better their platform, releasing the Xbox 360 together with Guitar Hero. Suddenly everyone is a musician.

2010 The very addictive game Minecraft is released for PC and later console.

2018 Released October 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the most anticipated game of this decade.

2007

Nintendo changes the game with the release of the interactive console, the Wii. For the first time, families come together to play video games with the Wii’s remote sensor system, including games like bowling, archery, golf and more.

2009 Social games like Farmville and mobile games like Angry Birds shake up the games industry.

As games sales hit $41.9 billion the first smartphones are introduced completely changing the industry.

2008 Now the most popular MMO to date, World of Warcraft is released, redefining the social aspect of gaming.

2019

2020

The next PlayStation, PS5, is schedule to be released on late 2019!

Rumours say that the next Microsoft’s console will be released on 2020; bigger and better, it will be called Scarlett.

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BN1’S

S E M A G BEST 8 1 0 2 F O

RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 PS4, XBOX ONE

FALLOUT 76 PS4, XBOX ONE, PC

ASSASSIN’S CREED ODYSSEY PS4, XBOX ONE, PC

This will probably the one release everyone is talking about this winter.

A new prequel, to Rockstar Games’ much-lauded cowboy simulator, this open world effort will be transporting millions of people to the wild west this year (and we don’t mean Lancing). Its predecessor offered amazing graphics and countless moments of beautifully nuanced gameplay. Even in the middle of the desert it’ll be offering scores of activities to entertain you. There’s a massive map, vastly improved character interactions and more detail than one man and his horse could ever wish for.

Bethesda take their sprawling apocalypse survival game and give it a Brexit twist. OK, not really. But it is set much closer to catastrophic nuclear exchange which set the scene for the exceptional Fallout 4. We can say goodbye to the expansive solo campaigns of previous efforts, as the focus shifts to online cooperation. Now you must work with scores of other people on team combat, base building and simple survival. It’s a bold move, but as gaming becomes more about the internet experience, it seems the logical next step for this epic title.

Preventing this list from turning into a total sausage party, Ubisoft have taken the leftfield step of allowing you to play as a female character in their latest stabbing-sim. The action goes back to Ancient Greece, whilst ramping up the role-playing elements which worked so well in the previous outing.

Now your choices will directly affect narrative events, and you might even be able to develop same-sex romantic relationships – all while waiting in the shadows for your victims. If it all starts getting too domestic, you can even get involved in the war between Sparta and Athens.

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CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS 4 PS4, XBOX ONE, PC Activision’s legendary first-person shooter does away with sprawling campaigns, to focus heavily on frenetic multiplayer battles. It’s also introducing something called Blackout Mode, a bold nod to Fortnite and PUBG. These Battle Royale-style sessions will feature enormous maps, which have been inspired by some of the franchise’s best-loved multiplayer levels. There’s also a savage zombie mode, as you’d expect

KATAMARI DAMACY REROLL SWITCH, PC The iconic (to some at least) and infuriatingly brilliant PS2 game gets an almost prefect recreation on modern platforms. Short pitch – it’s a ball, which you make steer around a landscape.

As you amble along, anything smaller sticks to it. Simple right? Not really.

The visuals from the original are largely unchanged. While the retention of its eye-catching art might be welcome, it’s the use the unwieldy original control scheme might not. Small hassles aside, this was a truly innovative dtitle, which well deserves a modern revival.

TOP 5 MUST-HAVE APP STORE GAMES OF 2018 Whether you’re wishing to pass the time, challenge your mind, or lighten up a boring party –we have the excitement at the convenience of your fingertips. Tried and tested, these are our top 5 favorite games...

GEOCACHING «««« 4.8 Join the largest treasure-hunting community on the planet, in discovery of millions of hidden geocaches around the globe navigated by the app’s instructions, map, compass and hints and tips. Find out if there is some near you right now.

Available on Google Play, iOS and Android.

MONUMENT VALLEY «««« 4.4 Monument Valley is a stunning, intricately designed world that paths a silent princess through enigmatic monuments, surreal architecture, unfolding paths that truly defies gravity.

Available on Google Play, iOS and Android.

CLASH OF CLANS «««« 4.7 Build your own empire and compete in wars with millions of players worldwide. Travel to a world where you defend your clan by learning spells, fight against the Goblin King, train your troops and earn magical items.

Available on Google Play, iOS and Android.

HQ TRIVIA «««« 4.4 FORZA HORIZON 4 XBOX ONE, PC The release of the new Forza is undeniably a big annual event for racing sim enthusiasts. Now, we’re happy to say, the high-octane action has shifted to Great Britain. With a divine section of Earth’s coolest cars, you too can emulate your favourite Top Gear wally - bring your own dodgy denim. The action features a recreation of the best roads between Edinburgh and the Cotswolds, with a plenty of landmarks thrown in. There’s even changing seasons this time around, meaning four times the driving experiences. Vroom…

Imagine a live, trivia game show where you can earn real money (a pub quiz, minus the pub, that I could be sober for and stand a chance of winning?) This daily game is hosted by special celebrity guests such as Robert De Niro, The Rock, Ice Cube and many more. Whatever your level of knowledge and interest, the questions from easy to hard to savage means this app surely makes it to our list.

Available on Google Play, iOS and Android.

THE ROOM: OLD SINS ««««« 4.9 BAFTA winner for the British Academy games award, The Room is a must-try 3D puzzle adventure with the most impressive graphics seen on a mobile device and a mind-bending journey solving mysteries.

Also available: The Room: Pocket, The Room: 2, The Room: 3 Available on Google Play, iOS and Android.

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THE BEST

GATMES O PLAY

WITH THE FAMILY

WATCH YA MOUTH FAMILY EDITION

Ages 8+ / 3-10 players Want to show off your bad dentistry to the room, or spread that respiratory illness you’ve been harbouring for the past fortnight? Here is your promised land. Those shortcomings aside, this is amazing and serves as a tremendous icebreaker.

Away from the safety of the family unit, its genius is only increased by the consumption of alcohol. All you need do is say some phrases while wearing cheek retractors (some junior sized). Shounds shimple!?

GUESS WHO?

Ages 6+ / 2 players This timeless identification game has had a revamp, which means some of its more problematic diversity issues have been addressed (the original incarnation had only five women and a solitary BAME character, much like a 80s sitcom).

The whole thing is now customisable through downloadable cards as well, offering plenty of replay. The object is simple.

Deduce which card your opponent holds by asking a series of questions about their appearance. First one to work it out wins. Even Gran can manage this one.

TICKET TO RIDE

Ages 8+ / 2-5 players Delightfully conceived and immaculately presented, this travel game sets out to see who can visit the most cities in a single week. Using a perfectly thought-out game mechanism, Ticket To Ride has players building railways to their destinations in a charming globetrotting adventure. There’s a simplified edition available for younger travellers, alongside a series a of expansion

LABYRINTH

Ages 7+ / 2-4 players A family classic since the 80s, Labyrinth is a wonderfully crafted mythical treasure hunt in board game form. Players try to reach treasures around a maze, but with the board constantly changing at the push of a tile, the possible routes are always moving too. A number of difficulty modifications means children can grow with game, giving years of fun.

RISK

Ages 10+ / 2-5 players Easy to master and infuriating to win, Risk is one of the perennials of board-gaming. Probably not ideal for those with short attention spans, but it’s a definitive strategy experience – and provides the most spectacular display when an aggrieved player flips the board int the air. Players battle to conquers the planet, tactically deploying military forces across its map.

You can battle other players, or form alliances to gang up on other people.

WHO’S THE DUDE?

Ages 16+ / 3+ Players One of the newer games on this list, put simply this is charades with a blow-up doll. You use the dude to act out things like film titles, famous sayings or activities. Kids will love messing about with the 5’ Dude, and adults will love that a suspiciously high percentage of the cards involve you adopting a compromising position with him. With his help acting out titanic is sublimity easy, but demonstrating getting a massage is fiendishly hard.

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Puppy and Dog Training Classes

in Brighton and across Sussex www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk 01273 466977 sussexdogschool@dogstrust.org.uk @sussexdogschool

fb.com/dogstrustdogschool

dogstrustdogschool

I N C L U S I V E

GAMING

SEEDING THE FUTURE FOR DISABLED GAMERS

BY RYAN GULLIFORD / IMAGES: KEN JONES

Video games have mostly been developed with a one-dimensional view of their target audience. Undoubtedly, this has created boundaries for those with physical disabilities.

People with severe injuries, as well as conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular atrophy and paralysis have largely been starved of access by this huge industry. However recent years bear witness to an emerging era of inclusive gaming: one starting to reflect the diverse needs of a global market.

CONSIDERATION FOR ALL Playable access is a crucial topic given the social and emotional benefits presented by today’s games and their communities. These include social expression and allowing everyone to escape the pressures of everyday society.

Inclusive gaming represents the industry’s adoption of a new ethos, bridging the gap for those with disabilities and allowing them to get back into their favourite games, or experience them for the first time.

One of the most important aspects of this industry change is the acknowledgement from hardware and software makers, such as the non-profit organisation Warfighter Engaged (WE), which works to improve the lives of veterans with custom adapted devices. Founder Ken Jones said: “In recent years, gamers with disabilities have begun benefiting from improved software functionality, including visual enhancement aids for contrast and colour blindness, audio controls, remapping controller inputs and reworking of game difficulty settings.”

Warfighter Engaged and organisations such as SpecialEffect are among those currently spearheading this movement, working hard with occupational therapists to benefit those most in need.

ADVOCATES OF INCLUSIVE GAMING Significant works from recent years go alongside a plethora of previous creations, made with the common goal of getting disabled gamers back on their consoles. WE helps provide a service for severely-wounded war veterans, many of whom previously loved gaming but were hindered by physical and mental injuries.

The organisation was initially approached by Captain Erik Johnson, head of occupational therapy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, who asked them to modify a controller for their patients - gamers who had lost their limbs or had brain and nerve injuries sustained during war.

Upon creating the prototype, he was then asked for another, then ten more - and the rest was history.

Ken told me: “To date, we have never charged a veteran and our ultimate goal is to streamline the process for getting 36

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injured and disabled vets playing again. The other goal is to raise awareness of disabled veteran gamers and advocate on their behalf.”

AN EMOTIONAL PERSPECTIVE Being an advocate of inclusive gaming can be a hugely rewarding experience, revolutionising someone’s gaming experience, or simply enabling them to take up the hobby.

But Ken recalls his most fulfilling project was working with a teenager with a rare skin disease.

He said: “His hands had begun to fuse into fists so he lost the ability to pull triggers and thus play Fortnite with his friends.

“But by adding some buttons close to his thumbs, he could play again. The first time he played with the modifications, he got deep into the match and even made a triple kill. He was thrilled, and so was I.” Another organisation making waves in the industry, SpecialEffect (SE), also has life-changing goals in mind.

It has helped those with varying physical disabilities with technology including Windows-based EyeMine software, making use of Tobii Eye-tracking equipment to allow users to play Minecraft by simply using their eyes.

MOVING FORWARD Today’s industry is motivated by the thoughts of a collective community, helping to tailor video games to all audiences. Revelations in social awareness and groundbreaking technology, most recently Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller, are paving the way for the inclusive gaming initiative.

As we look to the future, Ken suggests the ability to integrate more voice commands would be helpful, in addition to making certain aspects of video games more flexible. This would help people with disabilities continue to play games that would normally stop them in frustration.

While the inclusive market of gaming still has a long way to go, it is thanks to Warfighter Engaged and SpecialEffect that diversity within the industry is growing - and long may that continue.

SPRING For such a busy place, Brighton & Hove still has issues with loneliness.

The city is UK’s leading location for people googling the word ‘lonely’. As a society, we not only face isolation, but disconnection from the natural world or our own sense of fun. It was failings like these which prompted local community project organisers Unite The Beat to try and make a difference.

older people. Various activities, from flower pressing to snail racing were organised, encouraging interaction with the environment, before musical elements were gradually introduced.

“We went in with a sense there’s isolated older people about, and we wanted to make a difference. But, we came out aware that they’re a real resource.

For a lot of our younger parents, their extended families don’t live nearby, so they don’t have that person who would be that parent figure. They gained an enormous sense of wellbeing from developing that relationship.”

There are innumerable problems with our depictions and perceptions of older people. One Spring Into Sound participant was overwhelmed that she was filmed during the project.

“For older women, because you’re no longer sexually attractive or childbearing, you’re a bit of a write-off.” For older men, it’s somehow considered a risk for them to spend time with non-familial youngsters. Across the board, this generation are viewed as redundant, irrelevant and closed to new experiences.

They’ve developed Spring Into Sound, a range of activities which promote curiosity and bring people together amongst a natural environment. It bases itself around music creation, always a powerful tool to bring people together.

“We felt, that in this culture, people have this barrier to viewing themselves as musical,” Emily Robertson, the project’s co-founder, tells me. “What we do is bring everyone down to the same foundation. You’re not playing a guitar or singing, you’re literally just playing rhythms on whatever you can find. It’s an amazing leveller.” By creating a compelling and slightly unusual set of experiences, they’re helping people to forge communities, as well as reap the benefits of being out in nature.

This summer, along with partner Malik Tokw, she drew together pre-school children, their parents and isolated 38

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The labels and barriers also extend to concepts of parenting. Modern ideals of domestic bliss are far from reality. Young parents involved in the project benefitted from developing relationships with substitute parental figures. Their children were able to enjoy free-flowing outdoor activities, explore, experiment and develop new social skills. What Unite The Beat realised is that not any single part of a community is more isolated than another. Widespread disconnect in society, where we live far from our immediate family and spend increasing time in our own houses, needs to be properly addressed.

Now Unite The Beat’s work has received funding from the National Lottery, so a year-long programme is in development. “We found some of our older people were disappointed when the project ended, but it’s more risky having certain people outside in wet weather conditions. So, we’re doing a project indoors, where we’re using music to promote memories and community.” From the start of Spring Into Sound, there was a desire to

SOUND

BY STUART ROLT

I N T O

develop a music piece, constructed around field recordings of noises created on the project. Now completed, this accompanies a film, Where Friendships are Sprung, which captures the activities for posterity.

Screened for participants this month, alongside appearing on Unite The Beat’s YouTube channel and website, it acts as a worthy showcase for their work.

It all started when Robertson and Tokw established what made them happy – things like moving, music, creativity and being in a community. It’s taken a leap of faith to devote their lives to developing this vision. Isolation is still pervasive in modern life, but the way we face these challenges is slowly shifting. By taking a permaculturelike approach to this problem, no

one element needs fix another - the combination simply works together.

Above all, it’s taught the pair to see everyone as a resource. “We set off quite distressed about isolation and feeling like it wasn’t acceptable. But, it’s given me a bit more confidence to realise being busy has made us all a bit more separate. Be the one who knocks on someone’s door to see if they want a cup of tea, because they probably do.”

Taster sessions start on Mon 19 Nov for Unite The Beat’s new project, Musical Memories - a social gathering for people with a love of music. For more details, contact: unitethebeat@gmail.com

FOOD NEWS IN S NEW

T’ WHA

RINK

FOO

DD D AN

THURS 15 NOVEMBER BRIGHTON & HOVE COMMUNITY KITCHEN If there’s a food event, or a new place you must try, there’s one thing that you can trust: that award-winning photographer Xavier Buendia will be there, taking expert shots of everything, and capturing the event to later share with the world.

You probably already follow his account @xdbphotography on Instagram - drooling over each and every new published post, whether it’s a new plate from Grow 40, Silo, or The Gingerman Group. After all, when it comes to food, it’s all about the Insta-appeal these days.

Now you too can learn to take incredible photos on your mobile phone, with a little help from the man himself.

Xavier, whose work has appeared in a number of publications from Vogue to Waitrose’s in-house magazine, assures: “You can produce beautiful food photography without a great deal of technical knowledge. All you need is your phone, great looking food and a couple of apps.”

This three-hour practical workshop will give budding food photographers all the skills they need to build a thriving Instagram - whether it’s home creations or dining out you’re wanting to display - from a man who knows his stuff (his work features on both pages 48 & 49 of this very mag!).

Tickets £35 (discounts available); take phones fully charged.

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Nov 2018

bhfood.co.uk

SILO Douglas McMaster’s innovative team of anti-waste bandits more imaginative than ever

BY NAMMIE MATTHEWS / PHOTOS: XDB PHOTOGRAPHY

The sun is setting across Brighton when myself and my dining partner arrive at Silo on a quiet Wednesday evening.

It’s a little different to the first time we visited four years ago: gone are the mason jars and long surfaces - instead, individual tables with short, stylish glasses propped neatly on top sit in their place. Yet the no-waste ethos is just the same, and we’re pleased to see the menu is chock full of just as many unusual ingredients as we were presented with on our inaugural visit.

We’re shown two seats at the pass - my favourite seats in the house - and offered a ‘French Kiss’ welcome cocktail (£9), a divine combination of strong fennel seed-infused cognac and quince and bitters ice cubes which melt in to the drink and transform it over time. I struggled to really feel passionate about the sciences after my school years, but this was some chemistry I could get behind.

Silo’s creator Douglas McMaster is absent on our visit, so chefs Dan Gibeon and Claire Staroccia are looking after us

for the evening. The pair present us with a plate of gherkins to begin (£2.50), dressed in apple molasses and fennel pollen, and then a plate of good old bread and butter served in true Silo style - on a plate made from recycled plastic bags. I conclude that I would visit Silo again for this simple dish alone - the bread is not only made onsite but the flour also milled here, and the butter’s tanginess is a delight (and, no surprise, is churned here too).

We’re recommended the chefs’ favourite wine - a delicious vegan Grenache blend from Provence dubbed ‘Papillon Rouge’ (£49 for the bottle) - and promptly brought our starters.

Keen to try the vegan and omnivorous options on the menu, we’ve opted for both - one starter of hispi cabbage and

apple molasses accompanied with pangrattato (sourdough crumb) and the other with black pudding. They’re equally delicious, each of the additions offering an umami crunch to an already flavourful dish, while a hint of chilli hidden at the bottom of the plate adds unexpected warmth.

Our second course comprises a combination of potato, sea kale and cobnut (a type of unprocessed British hazelnut, Google tells us), a description I would probably have skipped if faced with it on the menu. But upon the first bite I realise I’d have been a fool to, the sumptuous brown butter sauce suitably warming the cockles on this cool autumn evening.

We have split opinions on the third dish, which comprises a side of skiitake mushrooms with brown butter crumb and elderberry capers. The earthy notes, cut through with little pops of caper sourness, prove too rich for my dining companion, who proffers his final few bites. I gleefully take them: it’s one of my favourite flavour combinations of the evening. The mains are really something to be reckoned with, though - malt-glazed celeriac every bit the comforting vegan autumnal dish you would expect, served with fermented potato sauce, pickled elderberries and kale.

The meat option of Sheffield Farm bull, served with aronia berries, red russian kale and reduced fat, is also a great contender for dish of the evening, expertly balanced and washing down a treat with our wine. A ‘mother’ cracker made of leftover yeast from breadmaking, topped with Neal’s Yard Stilton and hawthorn and rowanberry jelly, ties us over until pudding.

While our bowl of vegan pumpkin seed ice cream, fig leaf oil and furikake - the latter of which we’ve noticed has been popping up across vegan menus everywhere - is not an obviously sweet dish, it’s one of the best desserts we’ve had for months. We eventually leave after close, feeling £130 is more than a fair exchange for such a delicious meal and excellent service.

It’s been four years since the opening of the UK’s first antiwaste restaurant SILO, and yet I am shocked that in this era of climate change awareness and eco-friendliness (particularly in a city as Green as Brighton) there are still no copycats. If Douglas McMaster’s restaurant has proven anything in the last four years - just as it did this evening - it is that delicious, nutritionally-dense food is possible without compromising on eco-friendliness. And long may it continue.

SILO is at 39 Upper Gardner St, Brighton. Tel: 01273 674259.

PABELLÓN Tapas with a twist in new North Street digs

BY NAMMIE MATTHEWS / PHOTOS: XDB PHOTOGRAPHY

If you had told me prior to my visit to Pabellon that a stylish new independent dining spot had opened on Brighton’s North Street, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. “North Road, you mean, surely?” I’d question, imagining a little nook had opened up somewhere between Caribbean experts Bus Stop and patty maestros Burger Brothers. And yet here we are, sipping on a fishbowl-sized glass of zeco fino sherry and Fevertree tonic, in Brighton’s newest restaurant just shy of East Street.

Named for its proximity to the Royal Pavilion, Pabellon is the second helping of Senor Buddha’s restaurants, the first of which - Circo - has earnt itself a loyal local following on the ourskirts of town in Preston Circus. While the offerings at Pabellon are similar to its sister restaurant, the owners have adapted their newest to its surroundings; as such, the North Street site cooks up Spanish tapas with an Asian twist for more casual, all-day dining.

The standout dish of the evening, however, had to be the pulpo pabellon: octopus with sobrassada and potato (£11).

The combination of meaty octopus and Balearic sausage is a winning one within itself, and makes for one heck of a small plate (my only complaint is that the dish isn’t bigger - but then that’s not why we’re here).

We finish with the bunyols de vent (catalan doughnuts, palm sugar caramel and chilli ginger chocolate, £6) - little dough-y balls of joy which melt the second they hit the palate, ending the evening perfectly.

The menu is a sight to behold, with plenty of dishes I’m keen to sink my teeth into, however my dining partner and I manage to - somehow - limit ourselves to just six. We begin with the beetroot medley (£8), a generous plate of cold beets prepared multiple ways, accompanied by pumpkin, almonds and ajo blanco. A transformed salad for autumn, it’s bright and bold - the perfect reflection of our setting.

We follow this with the patatas bravas bomba with tofu aioli (£6). Arriving as two petite ‘bombs’ of potato, with crumb on the outside and the rich tomato sauce in the centre, it’s a creative take on the Catalan classic. The aioli is also powerfully garlic-y, which is both to myself and my dining companion’s taste, however those who prefer their garlic a little more understated can just as easily cut back on the quantity of aioli.

Next up is the flatiron steak with artichoke ajo blanco and coriander aioli (£9), and Iberico pork presa - pork shoulder served with romesco (£12). They’re both delicious - but, much like at Circo, the seafood tapas are really where the Senor Buddha group come into their own. A visit to Circo earlier this year saw me dubbing their salt and pepper calamari as undisputably the best I had tried in Brighton, so I was excited to try the same in Pabellon. Served with black garlic (£8), the calamari itself was just as I had remembered: soft and tender on the inside with that signature batter crunch.

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We opted out of another tipple due to a particularly alcoholfuelled week, despite being tempted by the decidedly indepth drinks menu (which contains exclusively Spanish wines, beers and gins). We reason with ourselves that we’ll definitely be returning anyway - at which point we’ll swiftly make our way through the gin list at the very least.

Pabellon is at 13 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton. Tel: 01273 720822.

TV + FILM HOUSE OF CARDS: SEASON 6 FRI 2 NOV NETFLIX

HOMECOMING SEASON 1 FRI 2 NOV AMAZON PRIME

NARCOS: MEXICO FRI 16 NOV NETFLIX

After much debate, the sixth and final season of the American political drama has been given the go ahead. WIth the death of Francis Underwood, the presidency has been handed over to wife Claire, as Francis had planned. This dark drama about political corruption as been a long time coming. Watch the final season in full at the beginning of this month.

This upcoming new psychological thriller series is based on the podcast of the same name. Created by Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg, it centers on a caseworker, Heidi Berman (played by Julia Roberts), at a facility treating soldiers returning from war. The 11 episode drama will coming to Amazon Prime this November - consider it your new binge watch.

Originally intended to be the fourth season of Narcos, the American crime drama was ultimately developed as a companion series focusing on the illegal drug trade in Mexico. This series will explore the origins of the modern drug war by going back to a time when the Mexican trafficking world was a loose confederation of independent growers and dealers.

THE GRINCH FRI 9 NOV

OUTLAW KING FRI 9 NOV NETFLIX

ROBIN HOOD WEDS 23 NOV

The revamped children’s classic by Dr. Seuss is back - in animation form. With Benedict Cumberbatch cast as The Grinch himself, the green cynical grump is out on a mission to steal Christmas. This funny, heartwarming, and visually stunning story flawlessly combines the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.

The untold, true story of Robert the Bruce (Chris Pine). Once a defeated nobleman, the reluctant King-turned-outlaw-hero has no choice but to face the English in battle to save his family, his people and his country. Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies a ragtag group of men to face off the wrath of the world’s strongest army.

A war-hardened Robin of Loxley (Taron Egerton) and his Moorish commander Little John (Jamie Foxx) mount an audacious revolt against the corrupt English crown in a thrilling actionadventure packed with gritty exploits, mind-blowing fight choreography, and timeless romance.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD FRI 16 NOV The second installment of the Fantastic Beasts series set in J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world featuring the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) has escaped the custody of MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), and has set about to gather new followers in his attempts to rule over all non-magical beings. Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists the help of Newt to stop the wanted criminal.

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