VOLUME 6 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2015
BRIGHTON’S DEFINITIVE CULTURE AND EVENTS GUIDE
INSIDE :
KAGOULE
PAUL FOOT TIGERCUB MEAT WAVE EARSTHETIC
FOOD & DRINK H.EN THE URCHIN FATTO A MANO BEDLAM BREWERY
Supporters:
www.brightontaxis.com YOUR LOCAL 24 HOUR TAXI SERVICE
COMING UP AT THE AMEX MK DONS
Saturday 7 November Kick-off 3.00pm
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Saturday 28 November Kick-off 3.00pm
CHARLTON ATHLETIC Saturday 5 December Kick-off 3.00pm
MIDDLESBROUGH
Saturday 19 December Kick-off 3.00pm
IPSWICH TOWN
Tuesday 27 December Kick-off 7.45pm
Buy tickets
www.seagullstickets.com Albion Booking Line 0844 327 1901
NOVEMBER 2015 Crikey! Those nights are drawing in aren’t they? For those of you unafraid to venture outside after sunset and an urge to check out the freshest alternative sounds, you’re in luck! Brighton’s very first Mutations Festival is about to touch down this month. Even if you are one of the 20 million Brits who are scared of the dark, you should check it out anyway, as some of the most exciting music artists in the world will be rocking the city on Sat 28 – Sun 29 Nov.
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NEWS ALBION MATCH DAY COMPETITION TIME PAUL FOOT COMEDY PLANNER KAGOULE TIGERCUB RAYGUN MUSIC BIMM OPENS IN BERLIN MEAT WAVE LIVE MUSIC PLANNER THE OPEN MARKET CHRISTMAS FAIRS CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FAIR GUIDE CLUBBING PLANNER BRIGHTON FILM SCHOOL EARSTHETIC 2015 LATEST CINEMA RELEASES CINECITY THEATRE PLANNER HANDMADE MYSTERIES BEDLAM BREWERY THE URCHIN H.EN FATTO A MANO BE GLUTEN FREE CROSSWORD
In Partnership with Supporters:
As ever the night-skies will be lighting up across the county, for the age-old annual celebration of religious intolerance that is Bonfire Night. A sparkling starting pistol for the Christmas shopping season, it summons a new kind of energy onto our city streets. So get ready, because we’re not leaving everything until the last minute this year. We promise!
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EDITORIAL
Editor - Chris Sadler, Editor - Stuart Rolt, Sub Editor - Freya Hughes
DESIGNERS
Rachael Cattermole
FRONT COVER & feature article image Marketing & Sales CONTRIBUTORS
Image of Kagoule by ASYLUMseventy7 Freya Hughes, Holly Cozens
Lucy Hallett, Holly Cozens, Stuart Rolt, Freya Hughes, Mila Statham, Maddie Maynard, Andy Hollis
PHOTOGRAPHERS
David Smith - photosbydavid.org, James Daly - jamesdalyphotography@gmail.com
LISTINGS NEWSDESK/SALES
Kelly Edwards-Good, listings@bn1magazine.co.uk Tel. 01273 911919
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15/16/17 January 2016 – Butlins, Bognor Regis New names announced! (in alphabetical order):
ARMAND VAN HELDEN ÂME (LIVE) / BICEP / DJ EZ / DJ KOZE DUSKY / EATS EVERYTHING / EROL ALKAN GEORGE FITZGERALD / GROOVE ARMADA (DJ SET) HANNAH WANTS / HEIDI / JACKMASTER JOY ORBISON / JULIO BASHMORE KERRI CHANDLER / KURUPT FM / SKREAM ANDHIM / ARTWORK / B.TRAITS / BODDIKA / CATZ ‘N DOGZ DEETRON / DJ BARELY LEGAL / GERD JANSON JASPER JAMES / JONAS RATHSMAN / KAMERA LEMMY ASHTON / LIL SILVA / MUMDANCE / NOVELIST PARANOID LONDON (LIVE) / THE BLACK MADONNA / TODDLA T
BOOK YOUR PLACE £50 DEPOSIT
3 Nights / 3 dance floors / Pool Parties / DJ competition / Pub Quiz / Rave Karaoke (and you’re only ever metres away from your bed) Accommodation included Tickets available from £169pp / Book in groups of 2/3/4/5/6/7/8
BUGGEDOUTWEEKENDER.NET
Oska Bright Film Festival
MADE BRIGHTON 2015
MON 9 - WEDS 11 NOV www.oskabright.co.uk
THURS 19 - SUN 22 NOV www.brighton-made.co.uk
Award-winning international film and digital media festival Oska Bright returns to Brighton Dome on Mon 9 - Weds 11 Nov. A joint venture between Arts Council England’s learning disability arts charity Carousel and JUNK TV, this bi-annual event is run by, and for, learning disabled people. It aims to provide a platform for a range of innovative, striking and quirky works. Bringing together filmmakers, film lovers and learning disabled people, the event demonstrates the impact of the arts on our communities with over 100 screenings, masterclasses, Q&A sessions and an award ceremony.
Celebrating its 10th year, the annual contemporary Made Brighton fair comes to Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange on Thurs 19 - Sun 22 Nov. Offering the public the opportunity to buy original pieces of craft and design direct from the best local and national makers, this event has become firmly established as a friendly, accessible and top quality show.
Universally accessible, this diverse festival provides a unique opportunity to challenge common perceptions of who can create great art, offering recognition and engagement with the wider cultural community for all participating artists.
Showcasing handcrafted, unique and often quirky works including jewellery, textiles, ceramics, basketry, glassware, furniture, home accessories and fashion to thousands of visitors, this is one of the best arts and crafts fairs on the South Coast.
Brighton Fringe 2016 opens for business FRI 6 MAY-SUN 5 JUNE www.brightonfringe.org Brighton Fringe opened registration for 2016 recently, offering musicians, dancers, jugglers, comedians, actors and artists of every shape and form the opportunity to take part in one of England’s biggest arts events. “The beauty of Brighton Fringe’s format is that it is completely open access, meaning anybody can take part, putting on whatever you want to do, wherever you want to do it,” said Julian Caddy, Managing Director of Brighton Fringe. “This allows for the widest variety of arts events to be found anywhere in the country.” Online event registration is open until Fri 29 Jan. All artists wanting to showcase their talent can perform at any venue of their choice – from their front room to an extensive theatre. To sign up, complete the online registration form at: www.registration.brightonfringe.org
Sons and Mothers (feature film)
Exotic Creatures visit The Royal Pavilion SAT 14 NOV - SUN 28 FEB www.brightonmuseums.org.uk A new exhibition examining animals in royal collections, menageries and early zoos, and political beasts in the period 1750 - 1850, comes to Brighton’s The Royal Pavilion on Sat 14 Nov – Sun 28 Feb. Visitors can discover the fascinating story of the first living giraffe in the UK, given to George IV as a diplomatic gift in 1827, and the history of travelling troupes performing in London and Brighton.
In addition, to help with the cost of putting on a show, Brighton Fringe has secured several funding schemes (with more to be confirmed), including the returning Pebble Trust Brighton Fringe Awards, match funding from Crowdfunder.co.uk, plus bursaries from Encore Insure and the Irene Mensah Award. During and after event registration, all participants benefit from professional advice, support and resources offered by Brighton Fringe, including a programme of free Professional Development workshops with expert speakers and one-on-one sessions to guide participants through all aspects of putting on an event. Subjects covered include marketing, budgeting, finance and social media, amongst others. The Brighton Fringe Friends membership scheme returns, offering the city’s fastest-growing loyalty card scheme. Members benefit from huge savings in Brighton’s favourite bars, cafes, restaurants, spas and hotels all year round. During the festival period, Friends receive 2-4-1 ticket offers, priority bookings, no booking fees and invites to VIP events.
MCC Brighton makes new start in city www.mccbrighton.org.uk
© Sarah Shaw
Sarah Shaw covers for Daughter www.ohdaughter.com www.sarahshaw.co.uk Combining classical formulas of beauty and composition, Brighton-based artist Sarah Shaw’s work is to grace an album from one of Britain’s hottest bands. Graduating from Falmouth College of Art in 2001, Shaw’s work has found favour with many private collectors, including Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood. Now her work is set to grace the cover of Daughter’s eagerly anticipated second album ‘Not To Disappear’. The 4AD band’s management got in touch with Shaw a few months ago, as the London-based trio were fans of her work. They wanted to use two of her ethereal paintings on a record sleeve. In addition, the work is also to be used as stage backdrops on their tour and on merchandise. Daughter then released the front cover image, which amassed nearly 14,000 ‘like’s on their Facebook page that day. Entitled ‘The World Is Spinning Around’, this image is now to be produced as a limited edition giclée print with Tin Dogs Fine Art, available soon through Shaw’s website.
Family Funktunes funk up The Synergy Centre SAT 14 NOV www.familyfunktunes.wordpress.com With the biggest bash in their 14-year history, Family Funktunes are coming to The Synergy Centre on Brighton’s West Street. This former club will not only host sets from The Impellers and the FF crew on Sat 14 Nov, but an epic three-hour session from the one and only DJ Andy Smith. The Portishead founder, who has been voted one of the top 20 ‘best DJs of all time’, will play an exclusive soul/funk/disco show at this amazing popup community space. In addition 1BrightonFM host the upstairs, showcasing the cream of local radio talent.
Brighton’s Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) has begun meeting at the Brighthelm Centre at 6pm every Sunday, because church isn’t just about Sunday mornings. Like most people, this congregation have other things to do in the morning - having that once a week sleep-in, recovering from a lively night out, taking a late breakfast or visiting family for lunch. They are a part of worldwide Christian denomination The United Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). Made up of community churches and groups around the world, each UFMCC congregation is unique and brings their own “flavour” to the denomination. MCC has become one of Brighton’s hidden gems - a community of people who enjoy coming together for lively Christian worship, whilst connecting with each other and supporting the community. Here people can be who they are in all their wonderful diversity, every voice is heard and they believe every person they meet is a child of God. Those that visit MCC Brighton stay and take part not only in the worship and the lively midweek discussion group, but also in everything the church does. As a transformational church, they actively encourage people to develop their gifts, to try new things and to achieve their full potential. They believe in doing - not just being - working closely with community groups who need extra volunteers to deliver their programs. These include Lunch Positive, a lunch club addressing the isolation felt by those affected by HIV and supporting the youth work of another church. Autumn is a time for new starts. MCC have settled into their new premises and have a new Lay Leader in Andrew Ramage, while making new connections every week. There are some really big plans in place for the Christmas season and new, exciting opportunities are on the horizon.
Brighton Burlesque Festival 2015 SAT 21 NOV www.brightonburlesque.net The best burlesque event on the South Coast returns on Sat 21 Nov. The Waterfront Hotel (formerly Thistle) brings the best performances from UK and international artists, together on one stage. Full of feathers, corsets, fur, tattoos and a little bit of naughtiness, the event features the freshest young talent and some of the biggest names on the scene, all wonderfully hosted by Jack Kristiansen.
Simon Roberts’ Pierdom comes to Brighton Museum sat 3 oct - sun 21 feb www.brightonmuseums.org.uk A century ago, over a hundred piers fringed the British coastline. Now less than half still stand. Brighton-based and internationally renowned photographer Simon Roberts has completed a three-year quest to document all 40 of Britain’s remaining pleasure piers. Whilst several of the pier photographs have been exhibited in their respective hometowns, a special exhibition running until Sun 21 Feb, at Brighton Museum, will be the first time they have been brought together in public.
There are 27 burlesque and pole performances across the day, from artists including Sirona Thorneycroft, Dixie Dread, Coco Deville and Chi Chi Revolver. From rather imaginative burlesque to traditional, neo, fun & frisky and even the downright naughty, your viewing pleasure is almost guaranteed. You can even create your own show. After a few lessons with Expertease’s Crystal King, you’ll be able to showcase your skills with an onstage performance. Cabaret and sparkle attire are actively encouraged, as there’s a prize for the best-dressed attendee. Not to be missed, this year will see more stunning performers, more eclectic stalls, differing shows of wonderment, competitions, lessons, workshops, interviews with the dancers and amazing visuals.
Shining a light on Domestic Abuse WEDS 25 NOV - FRI 11 DEC www.riseuk.org.uk RISE, the award-winning national Domestic Abuse Charity is spearheading events in Sussex to mark the Global 16 Days of Action Campaign. Launching on Weds 25 Nov to mark International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women and Girls, people are invited to a series of events to raise awareness of violence and abuse, and to raise funds for RISE. There is something for everyone, from the RISE Living Library in Brighton and Lewes, to a Stick It On Fundraiser at The Joker, Brighton. Duke’s at Komedia will be showing themed films ‘Gaslight’ and ‘The Colour Purple’ and the campaign will culminate in a carol concert featuring the new RISE Up Singing Choir, sponsored by Guevara. RISE Community Fundraiser, Madelaine Hunter, said: “The 16 Days Campaign is the perfect time for us to host a range of events to shine a light on Domestic Abuse and raise vital funds to support those affected. We are so grateful to be working with some fantastic businesses and individuals and also for the support from the local community.”
© James Daly
ZAPP LASER STUDIO BRINGS THE PICOSURE TO BRIGHTON www.zapplaserstudio.co.uk Zapp Laser Studio: 30 The Drive, Hove Local entrepreneurs Dan and Mardi Leonard, owners of Kemptown’s award-winning Guest and the City guesthouse, have opened a groundbreaking tattoo removal and modification studio. The first on the South Coast to use the market-leading PicoSure Laser, the studio is providing the fastest, most effective way of modifying or removing tattoos. It’s a perfect remedy for any body art decisions made on a whim or during a carefree gap year, with professional service from aesthetician Ellie. Whilst most laser treatments deploy thermal energy to heat up and break apart the tattoo, this technology instead uses ultra-short pulses to break ink into easily adsorbed tiny particles. This means better clearance of the tattoo with fewer treatments making the service a more cost effective solution for customers. As one of the UK’s creative hubs with a strong alternative culture, the tattoo count in Brighton is high; the city even hosts its own annual tattoo convention. But until now, residents have had to make the trip to London and back for the most powerful laser treatment. “Body art preferences, trends and designs change over time. We felt the options available for modification or removal in the city were limited,” said Dan Leonard, the studio’s founder. “Now Brighton residents will get a much more efficient and effective treatment on their doorstep.” Around 20% of Britons have a tattoo, and with the rise in popularity of body art, the demand for tattoo removal is increasing. One in six regrets their body art, with a 43% increase in removals, and modification or cover ups representing 50% of some tattoo parlours’ business.
Friday-Ad redesign sales platform www.friday-ad.co.uk Always a popular place to sell no-longer-needed belongings, or find the perfect item at an amazing price, the Friday-Ad is undergoing a revamp. Launched in 1975, it was the UK’s first free classified paper, enabling people across Sussex to recycle, up-cycle and re-use, with a simple, effective format. They went online in 1994, developing into one of the UK’s leading classified websites. Over 362,000 ads are now placed online each week, attracting a total of 2.3 million visitors per year. Coinciding with the brand’s 40th birthday, this website has been redesigned, retaining its familiar look and adding impressive new functionality. Available on all devices, it now features a ‘Buy Online’ option, so shoppers can snap up bargains directly through the site, with participating sellers accepting payment through Paypal. Sellers can now set up virtual shops which can list their stock and various offers. Ratings and reviews have also been introduced, to help build trust and help buyers in their decisions. Buyers can also email the seller direct through the site to request more information.
POLPO comes to Brighton from Mon 16 Nov 20 New Road Brighton BN1 1UF www.polpo.co.uk Inspired by Venetian wine bars serving simple food and good wine, POLPO Brighton is coming to New Road on Mon 16 Nov. The feel is urban, rustic and stripped back and guests enter through a heavy red velvet curtain, to find a zinc topped bar and linen-draped lamps. The interior features a reclaimed timber floor, rusted tin ceiling and a huge three-metre skylight flooding the restaurant with light. POLPO’s trademark deep red leather banquettes line the walls, alongside old chemistry lab tables, classic bentwood chairs and antique maps. “Having visited Brighton with my grandmother Gwen every summer as a child, POLPO Brighton has a special place in my heart,” says co-owner Russell Norman. “For me it’s the quintessential English seaside town. As an adult I have loved Brighton for its uncompromising bohemian identity.” Following on from the traditions of its sister restaurants, POLPO Brighton is a ‘bacaro’. This is a Venetian word to describe a humble restaurant serving simple food, and good, young, northern Italian wines. Open all day, signatures on the menu are ‘cicchetti’ (Italian small snacks) such as fried stuffed olives, arancini and chopped chicken liver crostini.
L WIN THE ULTIMATE FESTIVA EXPERIENCE 2016 Secret Garden Party Bestival Wild Life Forgotten Fields V Festival Breakout Boomtown Latitude Shakedown Blissfields The Great Festival al g v ti in s d e a F e s R s le e ir Escape W ,
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BN1 MAGAZINE IS GIVING AWAY THE ULTIMATE festival prize! WIN TICKETS TO SOME OF THE uk’s BEST FESTIVALS over 2016 ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS SEND YOUR NAME , NUMBER AND ADDRESS TO FESTIVAL@BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK one lucky winner will be chosen to win the golden prize where you and a friend can choose from a number of festivals to attend over 2016. we will also be giving away runner up prizes of festival tickets and other prizes. Full competition details and T&Cs can be seen at www.bn1magazine.co.uk
Matt Heath, Charlotte King, Michael Stokoe and Luca Van Dresh
Albion match-day A student’s experience Football tends to get a bad press, with irate players, bad-mouthed fans and a backwards attitude towards race and gender seemingly always on the minds of our tabloids. While one member of our group wasn’t expecting her football initiation quite as willing to pardon the fact she was, a) female, and b) repelled by rivalry, these four writers of the University of Brighton’s The Verse were pleasantly surprised by how wrong their expectations had been… Beginning with a grand tour around the grounds themselves was nothing but a prerequisite for how the day was to pan out. An impressive new build, the American Express Community Stadium goes above and beyond all the expected facilities with a separate family room and entertainment for all ages. It also boasts an entire wall sporting the stadium’s highlights in its history so far – each moment as told by fans. As most students will probably agree, the most important parts of a sports stadium are its bars. On our visit to BHAFC, we got the chance to visit both stadium bars, as well as the numerous beer tents outside. It’s worth noting (as we did) that these bars have a tendency to fill up well before a match is due to begin, so we’d recommend getting in there early. Surprisingly, the price of a pint isn’t too ridiculous; at £4.20, it’s not exactly the cheapest but it’s by no means the most expensive around Brighton. The bars offer a good selection of draught beers and lagers, as well as some hot and cold food. For the real ale drinkers, there is a catering van nearby, offering a wide selection of some of the finest ales brewed in Sussex. So far it seemed all of the AMEX’s features, along with a bar brimming with memorabilia from local sporting champions, made for an all-inclusive, friendly atmosphere that did not appear to advocate the negative sides of football. Perhaps the most illustrative example of this was the stadium’s South Stand bar, which is always decorated in the visiting team’s colours and sells
their local brew, which actively encourages both home and away fans to mingle before the game – certainly a forward-thinking club in a forward-thinking town. But, with half an hour to kick-off, we couldn’t help but wonder how the game itself would unravel. After our pre-amble around the stadium, the four of us sat down in the East Stand hoping to see Brighton & Hove Albion extend their lead at the top of the championship. With Brighton top and Preston languishing in the lower reaches of the league, it looked like the match had another three points written all over it for the Seagulls. Despite Albion’s consistent battering of a resilient Preston defence, the day ended short of something for the Brighton faithful to get excited by. While Bobby Zamora’s appearance gave fans hope that he would score the match winner for a third game in a row, it seems a goalless final result was written in the stars when Gaëtan Bong was stretchered off injured in the 90th minute, leaving the Albion to play the closing stages with ten men. Though there was certain contrast in the faces of home and away fans leaving the stadium, no aggression ensued. We can confidently attest that the AMEX Stadium does not evoke expectations of violence in its hosted football games. With a great atmosphere encouraging all ages, fans and genders to visit, it seems that the AMEX Stadium has a simple ethos – anyone is welcome to come and share their love of the game. Our day as a whole was a fantastic experience, enjoyed by both fans in our group and a newly initiated football newbie. We all went away with a great impression of the AMEX - eagerly recommending a stadium visit to anybody with an interest in football. www.seagulls.co.uk
COMPETITION TIME!
WIN
Win tickets to see Dynamo Dynamo has embarked on his first ever live tour, which will see the ‘Magician Impossible’ star come to the Brighton Centre on Weds 27 Jan - Sun 31 Jan 2016. In just a few years this young British star has established himself as one of the world’s most known and most loved magicians. His TV shows have aired in over 180 countries worldwide, reaching over 250 million cumulative viewers across the world. To win a pair of tickets to see Dynamo at Brighton Centre on Weds 27 Jan, simply answer this question. Which one of these is the title of a Dynamo TV magic show? A. Estate of Mind B. Blue Peter C. Grand Designs
Win Alan Carr tickets The multi award-winning comedian Alan Carr has spent most of 2015 yapping his way around the UK and Ireland with his brand new stand up show. Aptly entitled ‘Yap, Yap, Yap!’ it sees a return to his stand up roots for this comedian, author and chat show supremo. This hilarious look at life comes to Brighton Dome on Thurs 19 - Sat 21 Nov, and BN1 has a pair of tickets to give away to a lucky reader. To win a pair of tickets for Alan Carr’s ‘Yap, Yap, Yap!’ show, at Brighton Dome on Sat 21 Nov, all you have to do is answer this rather simple question. What is the name of Alan Carr’s award winning TV show?
Send your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: competition@bn1magazine.co.uk.
A. Alan Carr: Chatty Man B. Newsnight C. Antiques Roadshow
Please put ‘DYNAMO’ as the subject header. Terms and conditions apply. A winner will be chosen and notified on Weds 7 Oct.
Send your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: competition@bn1magazine.co.uk
GOOD LUCK! T&C’s - Tickets are valid to see Dynamo at The Brighton Centre on Weds 27 Jan 2016 at 8pm only. One pair of tickets per winner only. At least one adult must be present. No purchase necessary. Tickets are non-exchangeable. Closing date for entries is Mon 11 Jan, entries received after this date will not be counted. Winners will be required to collect their tickets from box office on the night of the show. Any travel and accommodation will not be included in the prize.
Please put ‘CARR’ as the subject header. Terms and conditions apply. A winner will be chosen and notified Tues 17 Nov. GOOD LUCK! Alan Carr’s ‘Yap, Yap, Yap!’ comes to Brighton Dome on Thurs 19 Nov - Sat 21 Nov. www.alancarr.net www.brightondome.org
14. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
So what should we expect? “They’re very silly,” he tells me, “you have to be in a silly mood to enjoy it. Don’t think too hard. Come into it openminded.” Which all sounds very much like a Brighton thing to do, which is fortunate as it turns out Foot is a big fan of Brighton for the very fact that we’re an open-minded bunch. “Brighton for me is like Norwich… cosmopolitan, yet connected to London. It’s a wonderful place because you actually identify yourselves and take pride in your openness. What a fantastic thing to be proud of”. I first saw Foot at Komedia a couple of years ago and yes, you do need to just sit back, shake off the preconceptions and just go with it. He’s a very physical performer – “I’m like a thoroughbred racehorse. I eat all day beforehand, so as long as I’ve had my hay I’m ready to go” – and expects the audience to be very much involved. So much so, the audience is at constant danger of a little bit of Foot spittle in their eye as he bellows his way around the room. Rest assured though that any watery projectiles are entirely by accident, “spit is a good sign, it shows the vocal systems are working well. Anybody that receives some of my spit should feel proud and pleased.”
PAUL FOOT Live and kicking
By Andy Hollis
There are few things more nerve-wracking than interviewing comedians. Notoriously reticent as a breed, outside of their stage personas, the overwhelming fear of ‘the ropy interview’ is ever present. Coupled with that – what do you ask them? Do your readers want to hear about the real person, or are they expecting funny? Trust me, there’s no quicker route to sounding like a twat than trying to be funny to a comedian. So it was with no little trepidation we set out on our latest quest. As troubadours of the bizarre go, comedian Paul Foot really must be up there in the very top echelons. A contemporary of Russell Brand and Noel Fielding, Foot takes their comparatively sane observational comedy and twists it into an entirely otherworldly version of his own. As he says to me early on, “my comedy is unusual. You’re laughing, but you don’t quite know why”. Hailed as a ‘comic genius’ by six national newspapers and ‘like an exotic bird’ by another, Foot is bringing a trio of shows to Brighton at the beginning of December. His three shows, ‘By The Yard’, ‘Still Life’ and ‘Kenny Larch Is Dead’, will be performed on successive nights, Fri 4 - Sun 6 Dec, at the Brighton Dome.
A graduate of mathematics from Oxford, Foot’s comedy, like his off-stage personality, is in turn interesting, intellectual and bizarre, “none of this is contrived. It’s a natural, organic thing. It’s real life on stage.” When talking to him, you find yourself laughing at any number of strange turns of phrase and tics of timing that are impossible to translate onto a glossy page. He’s famously reticent to talk about his Oxford days, “people just ask the same question about how can a graduate of mathematics go into comedy.” However we do embark on some discourse about pig shagging, as is the recent fad. “I love pigs. I actually had a dream about pigs before this interview, but they all ended up dying horribly in an abattoir. I didn’t see any pig sex at Oxford though because I came from a state school. They actually had a book there we called the ‘Nosy Book’ which listed which school pupils had gone to, so the posh kids could decide who they should and shouldn’t talk to”. Did he enjoy it though? “I did because it was like living in a 19th Century novel”, he tells me. It’s no exaggeration to suggest that his live show will be unlike anything you may have experienced previously. Although as he suggests, he’s something of “a small audience specialist”, his escalating levels of fame mean he’s now playing to larger and larger crowds of people. Not a problem according to Foot, “though larger audiences take longer to laugh”, as he’s recently been playing to over 3,000 people a night in Sydney. The Brighton retrospectives though are a more intimate affair, and will include a post-show Q&A and an improvisation section, where he’ll be riffing off crowd suggestions. If you’re a fan of the peculiar, the bizarre and a little bit of spit, this is absolutely perfect for you. Paul foot plays at brighton Dome Studio Theatre on Fri 4 - Sun 6 Dec. www.brightondome.org
16. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
COMEDY PL A N N E R
MATT FORDE
MARK SMITH
THE TREASON SHOW
Weds 4 Nov Komedia
Fri 6 Nov Otherplace at the Basement
fri 13 - sat 14 Nov Rialto Theatre
Like S Club 7 or Black Eyed Peas, Matt Forde is a proper party starter. But rather than cutting shapes on the dance floor, he’s spurring everyone to ‘Get The Political Party Started’. Following his sell-out Edinburgh 2014 run, Forde is now widely acknowledged as the country’s leading political comedian.
Clueless know-it-all and all round OK guy, Mark Smith brings his new show ‘Log Flume’ to Brighton. So you should understand he’s very excited about this. Expect to hear him squeeze as many funny, stupid and potentially dangerous observations as possible into a show that’s a cut above the rest.
Even if it’s getting cold, this Brighton institution will warm your heart and soul. So get ready for some satirical silliness, salacious songs and scintillating sketches with a topical twist!
He’s returning with a new show, tackling some of the many great questions facing our country in the aftermath of the election, like will David Cameron serve a full term? Or can Jeremy Corbyn still be Labour leader by the time this gig happens?
He’ll be imparting wisdom on topics as diverse as tattoos, getting a tattoo and are tattoos a good idea? There’s also a joke about Eddie Redmayne which, if it doesn’t win joke of the year, is quite frankly a goddamn disgrace. Oh, and some dick jokes. In a nutshell, there’s something for everyone.
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
www.otherplacebrighton.co.uk
www.rialtotheatre.co.uk
BOGAN BINGO
ED BYRNE
STEWART FRANCIS
Fri 20 Nov Komedia
Tues 24 Nov The Old Market
Fri 27 Nov Brighton Dome
Mullets, mayhem and mass crowd collaboration come together during this high octane, sell-out smash comedy show. Everyone gets the chance to walk away with one of the incredible prizes up for grabs, including free drinks, bar tabs or an amazing holiday from Travel Talk Tours.
Get ready for some more hilarious anecdotal humour from a comedian at the top of his game. His new show ‘Outside, Looking In’ is already receiving rave reviews from critics across the country. Seamless and perfectly timed, Byrne brings a wealth of poignant and hilarious observations.
Instantly recognisable from his work on ‘Mock The Week’, ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’ and ‘Live At The Apollo’, Francis is a quick-fire gag merchant with years of experience. Now he’s embarking on a stand up tour, with a fantastic and hilarious brand new show!
Even when the bingo fun has subsided, the Bogan boys take it to another level with their now-legendary ‘Shitty Disco’ DJ set. Obviously it’s not for the faint-hearted or easily offended, but if you like dressing up like trailer trash or 80s throwbacks, then prepare for your balls to drop.
Meticulous is an apt word to label Byrne with, perfectly describing the construction process for every one of his jokes. From premise to punch line, everything is simply brilliant. All the while he makes it look effortless - a rare talent indeed.
With a razor-sharp comedy mind, he’ll unleash some of the best one-liners you’ll ever hope to hear. So expect a liberal helping of bawdy double-entendres, propped up with some wonderfully thought out throw-away gags, all delivered at breakneck speed.
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
www.theoldmarket.co.uk
www.brightondome.org
With a pool of over 40 talented writers meeting up regularly, you can be sure that this is one of the freshest satirical shows you’ll ever see. Now in its record breaking 15th year, ‘The Treason Show’ is adored by fans and critics alike. It’s a fast-moving, gag-a-minute sketch show. No public figure is safe, no cultural phenomenon too hallowed and no politician too earnest to criticise.
17. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
PAM ANN: QUEEN OF THE SKY
DANIEL SLOSS
ALAN CARR
Sun 15 Nov Theatre Royal Brighton
Thurs 19 Nov Komedia
Fri 20 - Sat 21 Nov Brighton Dome
The world’s favourite international airhostess, Pam Ann is back in the UK with a new show. With her trademark caustic wit and lack of respect for boundaries, she’s the ‘Queen of the Sky’ and it’s guaranteed to be a turbulent flight.
‘Dark’ is the new smash-hit show from Scotland’s internationally acclaimed and award-winning half-man half-Xbox. It’s an ironic choice of title for someone who is sick of people calling his comedy “dark”.
The BAFTA and British Comedy Award winning comedian, author and chat show supremo takes a break from bringing fabulousness to the small screen. He’s returning to his stand up roots with his hilarious take on life, in new show ‘Yap, Yap, Yap!’
Hilarious, often shocking and totally politically incorrect, she keeps things lively and nail-bitingly unpredictable. The pristine white gloves will come off, as she delivers an unrelenting barrage of “shoot-fromthe-lip” observations. Even when letting rip a foul-mouthed torrent of insults, her Australian charm shines through. Fasten your seat belts and prepare for take-off.
Selling out seven consecutive Edinburgh Fringe seasons, Sloss has made numerous TV appearances, including ‘Sunday Night at Palladium’, ‘Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow’ and ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’. He’s also the first comedian to guest on the ‘Conan O’Brien’ show four times in a single year. He’s also had his own BBC show, co-created online sitcom ‘M.U.F.F’, given a ‘Tedx’ talk, toured extensively and is currently working on his pilot for Warner Brothers Studios. Just don’t mention the ‘D’ word.
One of the UK’s most recognisable and successful comic talents, he’s one of its most natural performers. Carr is a born storyteller, and arguably now a national treasure. As a live prospect he’s a long way from his light entertainment persona, adeptly crafting some intricate anecdotes. Obviously he’s far from alternative, but if you want a great night out he’s your boy.
www.atgtickets.com/brighton
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
www.brightondome.org
OUTSIDE THE BOX 2
ANDREW LAWRENCE
AMATEUR TRANSPLANTS
Sat 28 Nov Otherplace at The Basement
Sun 29 Nov Komedia
Mon 30 Nov Komedia
Brendon Burns and Perfect Strangers Comedy are ready to unleash their next instalment – ‘No F*cking Christmas Parties’. Earlier this year, Burns took to touring anything but traditional comedy venues. Seemingly competing with over 100 other shows, he asked himself, why bust his arse to sell tickets to people that wouldn’t comprehend him anyway.
Subversive and intelligent comedy from a double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, ‘Uncensored’ is the latest show from a man with a not so unique twist on life. His powerful and truthful brand of humour has already taken him onto ‘Live at the Comedy Store’ and BBC1’s ‘Live at The Apollo’ and he’s about to record his fourth series for BBC Radio 4.
Get ready for some seasonal comedy, with Adam Kay’s ‘Smutty Christmas Songs’. A sell-out every time since 2008, this night of festive filth is the perfect antidote to the pantomime horrors in most other theatres at this time of year.
Instead he performed everywhere else, from zoos and libraries, to indie music venues and comic book stores. Now he’s dodging the most dreaded of audiences the Christmas office party. Older, wiser and calmer, Brendon’s turn of phrase is coarse, yet oddly eloquent, making him intensely loveable.
Lawrence is now touring his most honest, fearless and uncompromising stand-up show to date. No joke is unacceptable. No subject off-limits. Absolutely no concessions made to political correctness. This is stand-up without boundaries. Some of it will make you laugh, some things will annoy you, but there’s no denying his logic.
www.otherplacebrighton.co.uk
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
Adam’s dark re-imaginings of songs have earned him 20 million hits on YouTube (including the iconic ‘London Underground’ song) and four number one albums in the iTunes comedy charts. He’s won the 2014 London Cabaret Award, written numerous TV shows and is a familiar voice on the Radio 4 ‘Now Show’.
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
18. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
KAGOULE Anorak and roll
By Stuart Rolt
Image by Jeremy Harris
Nottingham is renowned for Robin Hood, Citadel Miniatures and bicycle manufacture. But away from model Orcs and Raleigh Choppers, there’s a tradition of bands with an assured sense of who they are and what they want to be. Cutting edge artists like Tindersticks, Indiana, Saint Raymond, Sleaford Mods and Su Pollard have all demonstrated there’s more to this Midlands city than England’s largest publicly owned bus network. “There’s not necessarily a scene coming out of Nottingham,” Kagoule’s Cai Burns tells me. “Every band happening at the moment is in a different genre to each other. It’s a big family here, and everyone wants to help each other in any way they can.”
listening to long-faded indie gods. But Burns isn’t keen on the whole 90s revival, saying most of the similarities are coincidental. “I was probably about 14 before I even first listened to Nirvana!” There’s something startlingly contemporary about Kagoule. Over-processed vocals, chiming riffs and shifting dynamics make them a mesmerising and occasionally strange listen. It’s the sound of a band with the courage to create what they wanted. “I’m from a really non-musical family. So I only found out about music through NME Magazine and being online. It was all new music, stuff like Bloc Party and The Maccabees...” It was these bands which sparked Burns’ love of sharp guitar riffs and otherworldly choruses.
With Burns on vocals and guitar, Lucy Hatter on bass/ vocals and Lawrence English on drums, Kagoule have a different outlook on dynamic alternative rock. Starting out whilst still at school, they went about things their own way. Playing gigs in any venue that would put them on, they also put out a self-produced EP via Bandcamp. Their popularity wasn’t down to people simply taking notice; it was that they were unable to ignore the trio. After playing nearly every Nottingham venue, support slot offers came in from bands like The Wytches, Drenge and Temples. Last summer rewarded them with a wellreceived set on Glastonbury Festival’s BBC Introducing stage. Now they’ve been opening for The Who, Johnny Marr and Sebadoh.
Their record company is the legendary Earache Records, not exactly a predictable home for alt-rock. Sharing a stable with acts like Decapitated, Extreme Noise Terror and Lawnmower Deth certainly creates a common line of questioning from journalists. “It’s a funny match. But that’s the beauty of it. They wanted to try something new. We didn’t want to sign to a major… or something too small.” A visit to the Earache website sees Kagoule sit uniquely amongst a crowded sea of spikey gothic logos and pseudo-satanic imagery. Admittedly there’s more to a label than its talent. Based in Nottingham, Earache also run an office in New York, have plenty of incredible connections and know a lot about the challenging global market. “Earache let us do what we want. We have creative control and get to decide what we sound like.” This freedom to experiment and create their sound is one of Kagoule’s strengths. Rather than following the herd, you feel this band could achieve everything they want.
After their first few shows, Kagoule were being compared sonically to the Smashing Pumpkins in some rave reviews. If you’d never spoken to the band, you’d be forgiven for thinking the three spent their formative years
Mostly captured in a remote studio in Wales last year, then finished in Sheffield, their debut album ‘Urth’ was unleashed in August. It perfectly portrays the angst and uncertainty of growing up, yet it was recorded by a band mature beyond their years. Taking title and inspiration from Gene Wolfe’s ‘The Urth of the New Sun’, the album lyrically echoes many themes explored by the science fiction writer. It’s rich with overdriven guitar tones, interwoven counterpoints and an ever-present rumbling bass. Although adored by critics and increasingly winning fans, Burns is casual about his expectations of its impact. “I’d never released a record before, so I didn’t know what to think. I can’t wait to do the next one though!” There are undeniably shades of The Breeders or Fugazi in their output, if only in the way songs entice and evolve. From the blisteringly intense to the glistening and beautiful, at times the tension can be almost overwhelming. It’s an album which will keep you on edge and listening repeatedly. Their gigs are equally vibrant, unleashing a clattering wall of sound, where fuzzed up guitars and blissed-out melodies collide. Life on the road is becoming a place where the band thrives. “Going to New York and doing a European tour was living the dream. I felt really at home on tour.” Already no strangers to Brighton, Kagoule are soon bringing this compelling and visceral live show to the city’s inaugural Mutations festival. The spiritual child of last year’s acclaimed DRILL:Brighton, Mutations is a forward thinking, multi-venue event. This creative mass of genre hybrids and expression will be bringing some of the most inspiring, creative and interesting music to Brighton on Sat 28 – Sun 29 Nov. With highlights including noise pioneers Lightning Bolt, experimental house producer John Talabot, Texan singer-songwriter Josh T. Pearson and breakthrough electronica act Tourist, the event is a perfect platform for Kagoule. Previous visits have already revealed a thriving scene of similar minded people. “Our manager lives in Brighton, so we use that as an excuse to go down. It’s always loads of fun.” The realities of independent freedom against commercial whoredom are starting to sink in though. Burns resignedly admits early gigs were more lucrative than some of their current shows. “I wish I was in a Pink Floyd cover band, as it would be paying me so much more.” There is sound reasoning behind not accepting the quick and easy corporate dollar. The intent is building a solid base for the band, one which captures fans for life rather than creating ‘foundations built on straw’ as he calls it. Success is coming, but there’s no rush to become the next big thing. Integrity is everything evidentially, but he’s calm about the future. “We’re not gigging enough so I can just leave my job. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’m not going to stop the band.” Kagoule play Brighton’s Mutations Festival on Sun 29 Nov. Their debut album ‘Urth’ is available now, via Earache Records. www.kagoule.earache.com www.mutationsfestival.com www.facebook.com/KagouleUK
Youth Theatre High HIGH Spec SPEC Dance DANCE 16–25 yrs Drama DRAMA & Music MUSIC studios STUDIOS hire HIRE
Performing PERFORMING arts ARTS classes CLASSES for FOR all ALL ages AGES & experiences EXPERIENCES
Recording RECORDING studios STUDIOS & band BAND rehearsal REHEARSAL room ROOM
AUDITIONS STARTING SOON! This show is NOT for the faint hearted. This show is full of vice, energy, excitement, Yoga,dabaucery Pilates, Flex Polerock. Dancing and&punk Adult Dance classes
The Tony award-winning musical based on the Professional TV, Theatre & Film Agency generation defining 2004 album by Green Day Pre-Vocational Training is coming to Brighton. Contact us to audition. Music, Drama & Dance examinations
It’s going out to idiot America.
STUDIO SPACE & TASTER CLASSES AVAILABLE
birdstudios.co.uk INFO@birdstudios.co.uk Vantage Point, New England Street Brighton, East Sussex BN1 4GW
20. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
TIGERCUB Claws for effect There are some people in life that just can’t settle down. Some are in and out of jobs on a quest for the right career, some can’t live in a house for too long without getting the itch to move again, and some simply can’t sit still. For Brighton’s Tigercub, their equivalent is record labels. “I’ll never commit to anything until we spend a bit more time with them,” says frontman Jamie Hall. “We’ve just jumped from label to label because no one’s really jumped in and said ‘we want to develop this’”. The three-piece – wonderfully named Jamie, James and Jimi – have released singles with a succession of labels since their formation in 2012, including with their friends Blood Red Shoes’ Jazz Life. But the band have been loath to put down their roots until, possibly, now. Tigercub are set to release their new EP ‘Repressed Semantics’ on November 27th with London’s Venn Records. Promisingly, Venn appear to have bucked the trend when it comes to Tigercub’s uncertainty, offering them a deal which Jamie finds “more all-encompassing”. “They’re really behind it, I think they’re doing a great job. They can help get us to the next level where we want to be, which is selling out 300 capacity rooms, basically. That’s our goal and I think they can help us achieve that. “If we find ourselves at the end of the cycle in November,” says Jamie of this month’s UK tour, “and it’s been really good and they want to put in for the album or another EP, we’ll probably do it.” But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Jamie believes it’ll take a little more searching and refining before he considers an album. “We’re searching for something that we want to call ours sound-wise, and I feel like it’ll take another EP
By Maddie Maynard to get the material in a place where it feels original, not overly derivative and taking the genre somewhere forward instead of constantly looking back. I’d like to do another EP and the album is probably going to be this time next year. That’ll give us a good chance to figure out what we’re doing.” The band may not be entirely sure what their plans are, but from the outside it seems they’re doing something bold and increasingly brilliant. Recording the EP, the band scaled back production and editing in an attempt to improve their sound for fans as well as themselves. “We’re just trying to go back to basics and figure out who we are and what sounds best naturally. “We recorded ourselves in a room and didn’t use computers to fix it; if something wasn’t right about a take we just wouldn’t use it. We kept overdubs to an absolute minimum, just trying to make the most out of what we actually have. I think a recording should capture something that’s great happening in a room, same as a photograph, same as a video, it should be there to document rather than trick people.” And this can certainly be heard on the band’s latest single ‘Pictures Of You’ and before that, ‘Destroy’, which was the first release on yet another label, Brighton’s Cannibal Hymns. The label is a subsidiary of Raygun Music, with Bleach manager and Brighton music scene stalwart Tim Hampson at the helm. “He’s always been at the centre of what’s been going on in the Brighton music scene and always wants to give local bands a leg-up. He was the first one really to properly write about our band and Black Honey, Demob Happy and loads of bands like TRAAMS who are doing really well now.”
‘Destroy’ was released digitally on September 18th, accompanied by a video that channeled the same raw energy as its soundtrack. Envisioned and shot by renowned photographer Steve Glashier, the video saw the boys take their own advice and smash up some cameras whilst thrashing out the tune in a caged basketball court in Hanover. “We bought this old camera off the Internet, it was like a 70’s porn camera - that’s what that model was famously used for - and we wrapped everything up in bubble wrap and made sure the tape was protected. But the first day of shooting we realised we had completely totaled the camera.” This resulted in some meticulous work from Glashier and a trip to Switzerland for the film, where it took a specialist to confirm that the footage was basically unusable. But use it they did, along with some additional VHS footage, resulting in a grainy, shambolic but perfectly fitting product that reflects the new less-is-more, warts-and-all era of Tigercub. Another new creation for the band is their zine, Safe Mode, which will be released with the EP and later available at gigs. The zine will include everything from Jamie’s artwork and poetry to political “nihilistic rants”, and will be “an insight into what we do and our world and how we think.” Even the name has a story behind it; it is an inside joke of the band’s, stemming from last year’s hedonistic tour of Europe with Blood Red Shoes. “Safe mode on a computer is the diagnostics application and it runs your computer so that only basic functions are available. When we were on tour with Blood Red Shoes last year we were in the studio, then we went to do a show in Camden and then the same night it was Halloween so we did a Halloween set, and then the day after that we flew out to Germany and just toured for like two weeks straight. On our only days off, we had a press agent out there and he kept booking interviews and acoustic sessions. “Because of all that we were exhausted, and because we were in Europe we were partying every night. So we were hungover anyway and as a result of that we’d just be really weird in the mornings, and it was like a running joke that we were on safe mode. We thought that would be a funny name for the zine and we’d love to turn it into a record label some day.” Maybe then the band could do things on their own terms and finally settle down. But for now, perfecting their new sound is the main task on Tigercub’s agenda. “If we keep recording bare bones and trying to nail it, we’re just going to get better. And hopefully people can appreciate that we’re trying to do something and we’re not trying to pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. You take into account that The Beatles made their first album in four hours for £400, it kind of puts everything in perspective.” Tigercub comes to The Haunt on Fri 27 Nov. www.facebook.com/tigercubtigercub
Gigs In Brighton... AQUILO
Sunday 1st November The Green Door Store
BULLY
Monday 2nd November Bleach
YOUTH CLUB
Saturday 7th November Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar
LA PRIEST
Tuesday 10th November Patterns
LUSTS
Wednesday 11th November The Green Door Store
SATELLITE STORIES
Thursday 12th November The Green Door Store
THE CORONAS
Thursday 12th November Patterns
HIATUS KAIYOTE
Wednesday 18th November Concorde 2
FEMME
Thursday 19th November The Hope and Ruin
CHAS PALMER-WILLIAMS Friday 20th November The Prince Albert
LONELY THE BRAVE
Wednesday 25th November The Haunt
MINI MANSIONS
Saturday 28th November Patterns
FLO MORRISSEY
Sunday 29th November Unitarian Church
ASH
Sunday 13th December Concorde 2
THE ARISTOCRATS
Saturday 19th December The Haunt
@LoutPromotions LoutPromotions.co.uk
22. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
Wytches
RAYGUN music Set phasers to strum
By Holly Cozens
Brighton is a lucky place. Not only do we have a plethora of musical talent emerging from our fair city, we have a great bunch of people who are eager to nurture it. One of these is Brighton-based Raygun, an artist-led management company founded by Julian Deane. With music industry lingo a little lost on me, I wanted to find out the finer details on their involvement within the city. The first thing that struck me when visiting the Raygun HQ was Julian’s approachability. This isn’t surprising really, considering his eagerness for the label to be seen as, first and foremost, a supporter of independent music. “The question I ask myself is ‘is it great?’ The bands are what is important and we are the facilitating background.” Raygun Records was initially created as a means to release Paul Steel’s cult debut album ‘April & I’. It then went on to release Luke Sital-Singh’s highly praised first two EPs, 2012’s ‘Fail For You’ and 2013’s ‘Old Flint’. By doing this, Luke’s status in the industry grew to a point where he earnt the attention of Parlophone, with whom he secured a record deal. Following these, Raygun Records released a unique debut album from The Xcerts/Paul Steel side-project ‘Cold Crows Dead’ followed by two 7”s: Tigercub’s ‘Blue Blood’ and Beautiful Boy’s ‘Home/Love Me More’. These releases further established the label’s reputation as a connoisseur of emerging talent. Another string on the proverbial Raygun bow is their writer roster. In fact, along with other Brighton names such as BIMM, Brighton Electric Studios and Polar Patrol (Snow Patrol’s publishing company), they held their first Songwriter Camp in September. “This was a really good way to announce that we have a writer roster and in a
Julian Deane
very quick, accidental way, it’s become a really nice thing for all us Brighton companies.” Julian’s intense ambition and care for his clients means that this is not just a oneoff. “We hope that moving forward, we can do it again in the run up to The Great Escape with international writers too. We can make it a little bit more worldwide.” Raygun’s message is very clear – irrespective of what might be cool at that moment in time, what matters is the quality of the music. “We want to work with artists who have got something to say, that don’t need to be commercial in a pop way to be successful, make a lot of money and have a lot of fans.” He also stands by the fact that his writers are more than deserving of a place in the commercial circuit, should they want it. “Commercial music is so competitive now that you will struggle to find a top 40 single that hasn’t got more than one name on it at any given time. As a company we operate mainly outside of that. And that’s what we want to do. But in the same way, there is a market there for commercial pop music and our credible artists are very capable of operating in both spheres.” With The Xcerts nominated for Album Of The Year at the AIM (Association of Independent Music) Awards, The Wytches off supporting The Cribs on their UK tour and even Raygun’s imprint label Cannibal Hymns - run by Boon Magazine’s Tim Hampson - off to a great start with the release of Tigercub’s single ‘Destroy’, may the hard work of Julian and his team continue. www.raygunmusic.com www.facebook.com/raygunmusic @raygun_music
BIMM opens in Berlin Ein wenig neue musik
By Stuart Rolt
BIMM Berlin is now officially open, ushering in a new age for the international music college. The faculty’s longawaited launch celebrations saw venue takeovers, live bands, guest speakers and industry involvement across a music-filled weekend. With new students joining from 19 different countries, the campus takes the BIMM experience to the heart of Europe.
So some amazing things are going to happen in terms of artists meeting, creating music and putting on shows.” The beautiful converted warehouse is also home to many of Berlin’s important ticketing agencies, radio stations and recording studios. Steps away from all the best music spots in town, like the huge O2 World and the legendary Berghain club, it’s the perfect location for a modern music academy.
As ever, a core BIMM objective is to connect their students with the music industry, so there are few places as suited to give students the head start they deserve. “Berlin is steeped in musical heritage and is rich in current artistic creativity,” says College Manager Mark Clayden. “The music industry in Berlin generates in excess of 700 million euros a year. Over 14,000 Berliners are working in 1,400 music-industry companies based here.” A host of major players in the world’s music business have a presence in the city: from major labels like Universal and Sony BMG to cutting-edge music distribution services like Spotify and Soundcloud. Locally there are over 150 music publishers, over 100 dedicated recording studios, as well as hundreds of international promoters, ticketing agencies and concert/ event planners. These companies are all operating in Berlin due to its reputation as an international creative hub.
The music scene in Berlin is definitely as vibrant as it was before re-unification, maybe even more so. “It’s difficult to compare the scenes before and after. Before 1989, it was the unique atmosphere which attracted young creative people from West-Germany and from all over the world.” After 1989 Berlin saw a new creative surge, based on the emergent techno scene, plenty of cheap creative spaces, minimal living costs and the existing spirit of Berlin as a unique, creative city. “The scene became way more international after 1990, which is one of the biggest differences…”
Berlin’s status as a magnet for innovation and creation makes it the ideal location for this new BIMM campus with its state of the art equipment, contemporary learning spaces and ambitious standard of teaching staff. The faculty mirrors its British counterparts by using established artists and people with in-depth knowledge of the music industry. Already working there are Pete ‘Budgie’ Clarke (drummer for Siouxsie And The Banshees, The Creatures, John Grant), Knox Chandler (guitarist and producer for Lou Reed, R.E.M, Depeche Mode, Grace Jones, The Psychedelic Furs), The Prodigy drummer Kieron Pepper, songwriter and performer Jane Arnison and legendary producer Pete Smith. Located in the vibrant and creative FriedrichshainKreuzberg district, BIMM Berlin is right where cultures clash, events and festivals bloom, and cutting-edge music plays all day long. “We are based in the Noisy Musicworld building, which sees 8,000 musicians a month rehearsing.
One thing key to the whole experience is embracing the ‘BIMM Balance’, where rock and roll meets education. “BIMM brings the learning off of the page, providing up to date information on today’s music industry alongside an internationally recognised qualification for University of West London.” This also gives students the chance to meet musicians, artists and music practitioners every week. This has already seen The Smith’s Mike Joyce and Kasabian’s Ian Matthews come in as guests, whilst this month Thurston Moore and We Are Scientists will be visiting BIMM Berlin. As ever the college make it its mission to help students achieve success in their careers, as musicians, songwriters, producers and industry professionals. “There are now hundreds of BIMM alumni working as musicians and music practitioners across the world. Graduate examples include James Bay, George Ezra, The Kooks, Ben Thompson, Natasha Bent and Becki Willard.” Thousands of alumni now work at the highest possible levels throughout the music industry. Soon BIMM Berlin students, and eventually graduates, will be making their mark across Berlin and the world beyond. www.bimm.co.uk/berlin
24. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
Meat Wave Well-done punk
By Stuart Rolt
Photo © Katie Hovland
In punk music, dissatisfaction, disaffection and disorientation are as much part of the canon as boisterousness and noisy guitars. Meat Wave key into these traditions, but there’s almost nothing predictable about this Chicago-based three-piece. Formed in 2011 by singer/guitarist Chris Sutter, bassist Joe Gac and drummer Ryan Wizniak, they soon released a tension-brimming self-titled debut LP. It demonstrated how you could produce edgy post-punk with genuine mass appeal. Now with the release of new album ‘Delusion Moon’, they’re increasingly capturing the imagination of music fans everywhere. “This year has been fucking insane, because we’ve gotten to travel to so many different places,” Sutter tells me. “Life has totally changed in that we are entirely focused on playing and making music.” With experience of playing in other much-loved local bands, the three shared a vision for creating something offbeat and angry. They’re all trying to stay faithful to Meat Wave for now, but you can’t keep a punk musician sitting still for long. “We’ve been a little busy with this album, but I’ve got a little home recording project I’m working on. Ryan and I are in a couple other bands, and Joe’s recording a bunch of shit. Life’s good!”
Now a growing fan base brings greater demand for live shows. The rigors of extended touring demands everyone gets some good rest, whilst not partying too much. “Which is easier said than done. We’ve just started having a friend or two travelling with us. It really makes a difference to have someone to help and who isn’t as invested in the band.” They’ll now be on tour until the end of the year, a prolonged excursion that includes a visit to Brighton’s The Hope & Ruin on Mon 23 Nov. Then more touring is coming in February. It seems success comes at the expense of any free time. ‘Delusion Moon’ is a hard-hitting record, alive with entwining rhythms and rushing dynamics. It’s the band’s most powerful dose of apprehension and annoyance so far. A long time in production, the album’s release brought a rush of emotions for the band. “It feels really good. We recorded it fairly quickly and then just kind of waited around on it. It’s actually kind of unbelievable.” Musically it sees them surge ahead. Meat Wave isn’t a band happy with the tried and tested. Lyrically they cover a range of subjects; from intimate social gripes to wide-reaching social issues - and America is alive with inspiration. The National Rifle Association receives particularly heavy criticism. Despite mass shootings being a regular event in the US, their considerable influence obstructs any
meaningful gun control. “The NRA pays people in the US government to work for them and their interests. Ugh… It’s fucking sick. We’re all doomed.” (Just after this interview, another tragedy struck at an American college.) The cycle of violence continues, yet the rights of gun-owners will dominate the next presidential election. “I’m excited and terrified. The news makes it hard to know what’s really happening. It seems like Bernie Sanders is doing well. If Donald Trump even gets the nomination I’m moving!” Although one of their local Chicago craft brewers offers an entirely unrelated ‘Meat Wave’ IPA, the band’s name comes from a typically bizarre The Onion article. The humorous website offered news of a deadly ‘meat-wave’ sweeping through the Chicago area, leaving an estimated 40 residents dead from meat exhaustion, each of them bloated beyond all recognition. With victims suffering surreal fates like smoked-sausage inhalation, ‘meat-stroke’ and ‘roasttraumatic stress’, making it the ‘worst natural food disaster since the San Francisco Panquake of 1970’. It’s a wonderfully absurd jump-off point for a band with a fierce outlook on the world. “I don’t know if it is a great band name or not, it’s just silly! I change my mind on it a lot. I think a lot of people are turned off by it and won’t check us out because of it. A lot of people love it though… it leaves a lot to the imagination. It’s pretty arbitrary, but people get pretty hung up about it.” Beguiling, urgent and perplexing, Meat Wave have the angst demanded of any worthy punk outfit. Their music is laden with hooks, but they don’t embrace the obvious. Even when unleashing a noisy sing-along anthem they hang it on a serious issue. The real beauty of these songs lies with the gut-wrenching anticipation created by each arrangement. Epic build-ups are played off with vociferous crashing climaxes. It’s not simple music. There’s careful thought given to every single dynamic on this album. It references Pink Floyd on the cover and features a longer running time than the debut, plus the title track has a rather psychedelic video… It makes me wonder if it’s indication of an impending new prog direction. “I don’t know if I would call it ‘progressive rock’ but I think we want to keep things interesting for ourselves. We intend to make music that’s more exploratory.” It could be viewed as a concept piece of sorts, revolving around the cycles of the moon and its effect on our behaviour. The thread running through everything is - we live on a crazy planet. Everyone is dealing with his or her own form of personal madness, but this can be something that unites us. It’s a complicated subject matter, but one Meat Wave can present in an entertaining manner. “I’m really interested in juxtaposing something dark with something light. Sour and sweet… Chocolate pretzel… Mmm. I wouldn’t say it’s difficult at all. It’s fun. It’s more cathartic and visceral than anything else.” Meat Wave play at The Hope & Ruin, Mon 23 Nov. www.meatwavechicago.tumblr.com facebook.com/MeatWaveChicago @meatwaveband
Disco Pigs Wed 18 Nov
HERBERT (Live) Thu 19 Nov
Alan Carr
Thu 19 - 21 Nov
SPECTRUM: Olivia Louvel Fri 20 Nov
Söndörgö Sun 22 Nov
Men in the Cities Tue 24 Nov
earsthetic: Elaine Mitchener Sun 29 Nov
earsthetic: The Tiger Lillies Mon 30 Nov
Bianca Casady and The C.i.A Tue 1 Dec
SPECTRUM: Sam Walker Wed 2 Dec
Akala
Thu 3 Dec
01273 709709 brightondome.org
26. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
LI V E M USIC PL A N N E R
WILL YOUNG
GIRL BAND
SONGHOY BLUES
Mon 2 Nov Brighton Centre
Tues 3 Nov Patterns
Tues 3 Nov Concorde 2
Will Young is one of the hardest-working people in showbusiness. During his time away from music, Young was nominated for an Olivier Award for his starring role in ‘Cabaret’, and made a documentary on Magritte. He’s also been writing for The Huffington Post, produced a bestselling biography and fronted a Stonewall campaign, as well as teaching and mentoring other singer-songwriters.
It’s a trick! There are no ladies involved, as far as we can gather… Now this four-piece Dublin noise-act is dodging the clutches of trading standards and homework obligations, to finally undertake another tour. So Patterns will soon be trembling to the sound of feedback, weird loops and hienergy rock music.
Following on from their ecstatically received shows at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas and their first US tour in support of Alabama Shakes, Songhoy Blues return to the UK for a headline tour.
Still the only person to survive standing up to Simon Cowell, he is now signed to Island Records, while his sixth album ‘85% Proof’ hit the top of the charts. It’s his most accomplished work to date. An eclectic and hugely confident record, it’s exactly what you’d expect from this very capable pop star.
Imagine the fiercest elements of postpunk, subtly and bizarrely underpinned with a French disco aesthetic. That’s only half as good as this outfit are. They might appear dark and vitriolic, but there’s plenty of oddball humour hidden away in their material. Catch this if you can.
Full of improvisation, backed insistently by booming bass and drums, they are an impressive act. Charm and ambition will hopefully make them global stars, if there’s any justice. This critically acclaimed Malian desert blues punk outfit are like nothing you’ve witnessed before. If you saw them at TGE2015, you’ll know what we mean. If you didn’t, then catch up fast.
www.brightoncentre.co.uk
www.patternsbrighton.com
www.concorde2.co.uk
DINOSAUR PILE-UP
JOHN GRANT
The Myrrors
Fri 13 Nov BLEACH
Fri 13 Nov Brighton Dome
Sun 15 Nov The Hope & Ruin
The catchy riffs and hooks remain, but here’s a band displaying their musical maturity. Their debut album ‘Growing Pains’ introduced us to their vivid and chaotic outfit, unleashing a turbo-charged take on classic hard rock. Now they’ve moved on to blend surf-rock riffs with mosh-friendly charges.
It’s been a hell of a journey, from considering exiting music to the heady success of his album ‘Pale Green Ghosts’. But, a lifetime spent grappling with various obstacles has only added to Grant’s calibre as an artist. Recent years have seen his career flourish, with mainstream acceptance and an unlikely Brit nomination.
Acid Box Promotions and Fuzz Club Records come together for their biggest showcase yet. This series of exclusive collaborations features experimental, psychedelic rock bands from across the globe, plus some promising local acts.
Their third album ‘Eleven Eleven’ has heralded a darker, more extreme version of themselves. Released last month, it offers a statement of intent for the intensely talented band. Packed with variety and creativity, Dinosaur Pile-Up has a lot to offer any fan of honest, tough-edged rock music.
Now he’s reflecting on his third album, ‘Grey Tickles, Black Pressure’. It’s a selection which again combines sumptuous tempered ballads and thrilling pop. From orchestral textures to dark electronica, his output is dramatic and thoroughly compelling.
Melding all sorts of unearthly sounds to create an epic soundscape The Myrrors explore elements of avant-garde free-jazz/ jazz-fusion, as well as eastern influences of Turkish sufi ensembles, Balinese gamelan, Scandinavian prog-rock and desert folk. Joining them is the dark, reverb-drenched sound of Italy’s New Candys. So are you ready to get fuzzy?
www.bleachbrighton.com
www.brightondome.org
www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk
27. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
TALVIN SINGH’S TRIKONA
SARAH MCQUAID
MS MR
Tues 3 Nov Komedia
Mon 5 Nov Otherplace at the Basement
Fri 6 Nov The Arch
This accomplished tabla player, music theorist, record producer, visual practitioner and DJ is considered the father of Asian electronica. Whilst still in his mid-teens, Singh travelled to India to study his craft. Drawing inspiration from the classical Indian arts, Singh first came to prominence in the 80s London music scene.
Ms McQuaid brings a very special live performance of her critically acclaimed new album ‘Walking Into White’ to Brighton. She has a desire for people to get at least a few full-length listens to it, before the component parts get chopped up and dropped into playlists.
This New York duo has made a subversive and intriguing impact on the very nature of pop music. They strive to lend the genre substance, producing haunting songs and bold videos.
Since then he became involved with experimental music collaborations, working with Sun Ra, Björk, Blondie, Madonna, DJ Spooky and Jay Z, helping to popularise his burgeoning Asian underground sub-culture. Recipient of a South Bank Prize, a Mercury Prize and an OBE, he has created a unique and signature musical genre in its own right, continuing to be adept in finding connectivity between seemingly diverse elements.
The second half of the evening will be taken up with a selection of standout tracks from previous releases. With a beautiful voice, wholehearted compositions and adept performances, this very talented singer/ songwriter is a bright light in folk/jazz fusion.
Released in July, their latest album ‘How Does It Feel’ offered a fresh selection of understated, tense songs. Their sound has expanded in part. It frames splashes of upbeat piano and imaginative use of vocal loops. A volatile fusing of alternative leanings, synthesizers and driving beats, just occasionally they let their masks slip, and reveal the raw emotion they try so hard to hide.
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
www.otherplacebrighton.co.uk
www.thearch.club
CHVRCHES
OH WONDER
BLACK REAPER PRESENTS…
Mon 16 Nov Brighton Dome
TUES 17 Nov The Haunt
THURS 19 Nov The Prince Albert
The Scottish synth superstars offer some tunes which will make you want to dance all night. Clocking up 364 shows in just two years, it’s an indication of this band’s massive fanbase. Selling over 500,000 copies, the band’s breakthrough debut album ‘The Bones of What You Believe’ brought a Brit Award nomination and universal acclaim.
This South-East London duo released the critically-acclaimed electro-pop treat of their single ‘Drive’ in September. It saw the culmination of these prolific songwriters’ ambition to release one track a month for a year. Now these tunes have been collated for release on a self-titled debut album, in preparation for making their live debut.
Black Reaper Records are holding a showcase of the finest power chords and loud choruses. Created by Sea Bastard and War Wolf’s Oliver Iron Giant and Phil Kyle from Magnum Opus Tattoo, the label provides a platform for the very best in gutsy guitar music.
Now there’s new material up for public consumption, emphasising their stadiumpop sensibilities and offering a clue as to where their ambitions lie. Fresh from the release of new album ‘Every Open Eye’ everything is looking very promising for this trio.
www.brightondome.org
With a total of 25 million streams across SoundCloud and Spotify, the band is already on to a big thing. Balancing uplifting pop production with a level of lyrical truth which is missing from the charts, they could be real contenders for fame and fortune next year.
www.thehauntbrighton.co.uk
This month they’re offering a no-frills rush of pure adrenaline, as three of the underground scene’s finest bands come to town. Dirty Protest are fuelled by enthusiasm and plenty of alcohol, playing fast and filthy music. Joining them are the rawest of hardcore acts, Dutch band Radio Bikini, who like it ferocious. Completing this stage-shaking line-up, all the way from the USA, are the mosh-friendly punks, The Nervous.
www.facebook.com/ThePrinceAlbert
28. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
LI V E M USIC PL A N N E R
ALABAMA 3
AVERAGE WHITE BAND
OLIVIA LOUVEL
Thurs 19 Nov Concorde 2
Fri 20 Nov Concorde 2
Fri 20 Nov Brighton Dome Studio Theatre
Grab your biggest cowboy hat and get ready to flex, because the legendary Alabama 3 are throwing a hoe-down! Armed with a brace of tracks from their latest album and a slight tweak of sound, it’s a welcome return for one of the most exciting and unique bands in the country.
A Scottish soul band who were able to find recognition amongst their American peers, Average White Band are something of a 70s anomaly. Songs packed with horns, driving bass and vocals as heartfelt as anything from the band’s spiritual home, they were the equals of nearly all from the other side of the pond.
The award-winning French-born Louvel headlines a Spectrum special focusing on women in the electronic music scene. Crafting a fresh set of art-inspired electronics, within a few bars you know you are in her unique world.
They don’t need a bunch of cynical record executives to tell them how to sing the blues... they’ve already got real mojo, and the power to raise the dead. A joyous fusion of pop, punk rock, blues, country and techno, they describe themselves as a ‘situationist crypto-Marxist-Leninist electro band’. Born of excess and fuelled by something otherworldly, it’ll be one hell of a ride.
From ‘Put It Where You Want It’ to ‘Pick Up The Pieces’, they took their brand of soul around the world. Later albums would see more disco and funk influences drift in, but the songs remained as strong as ever. Ultimately the band demonstrated how great music comes from the heart, not any specific location. Now their current line-up comes to Brighton, to show us where UK dance music truly first started.
This award-winning artist has a strong sense over melody, conjuring dreamy atmospherics and laying ethereal tones over glitch-like beats. If you like unusual vocals and imaginative arrangements, then you should certainly check her out.
www.concorde2.co.uk
www.concorde2.co.uk
www.brightondome.org
DAN OWEN
ALBERT HAMMOND JR
YOUTH MAN
ThuRS 26 Nov Green Door Store
ThuRS 26 Nov The Old Market
FRI 27 Nov The Haunt
Guitar maestro Owen is the real deal; there’s nothing fake or manufactured about this 23-year old from Shrewsbury. There’s a growing air of excitement about the way he draws on the finest traditions of Mississippi Delta blues, his voice as much of an instrument as his battered guitar.
With his third solo album ‘Momentary Masters’ whipping up a storm, Mr Hammond Jr is out on an epic 60 date Europe/US tour. This new offering from The Strokes guitarist is his first album in over five years, and is packed with that band’s signature warm melodies, crisp guitar riffs and new wave keyboard flourishes.
Based in Birmingham, Youth Man are reportedly the ‘Loudest Band in Britain’. They’ve certainly contributed to this legend, establishing themselves over the past few years with some relentless touring. Their intense live show has been blowing crowds away - anyone who saw them at TGE2014 will know exactly what we mean.
It highlights his willingness to get deep and personal with his lyrics. Certainly there’s been a lot on his mind in recent years, what with the pressures of a solo career and getting himself away from some heavyweight substance abuse. There’s a distinct separation from the straight faced pathos of The Strokes. It almost seems like he’s having fun with his music now.
Since their first EP ‘Bad Weather’ in 2013, they’ve been showered with praise from critics and fans alike. Expect a trail of trashed instruments, feedback and ringing ears in their wake. A shrieking, thrilling wrecking-ball of a band, make sure you see them before everyone else catches on.
www.theoldmarket.com
www.thehauntbrighton.co.uk
From local pub gigs to festival appearances, he’s built up a fearsome reputation. It’s seen him travel to Nashville to record with Grammy award-winning producer Vance Powell. Now the blues are taking him around the world. There’s a new wave in British singer-songwriters taking over the world, and he’s leading the charge.
www.thegreendoorstore.co.uk
29. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
THE MACCABEES
MAN RAY SKY
LONELY THE BRAVE
Mon 23 Nov Brighton Dome
TueS 24 Nov The Hope & Ruin
WedS 25 Nov The Haunt
After storming TGE2015, now it’s the time to promote their stunning fourth album ‘Marks to Prove It’. With a Mercury nomination and an Ivor Novello Award, there’s plenty to prove this band are competent songsmiths.
This effortlessly cool Brighton band is getting ready for another hometown show. Loaded with feel-good vibes and soaked with evocative atmospherics, they form their basis in improvisation and noise.
The London they knew as a hometown is changing forever. Reflecting this, the new album is awash with introspection. This shows a more sombre, fully-fledged facet to the band. Finding the romance in normal life, they’ve got plenty of soaring melodies and sing-a-long choruses to show they’re anything other than ordinary.
With a brace of incredibly powerful melodies, this quintet doesn’t have to try too hard to produce something beautiful. This sun-drenched indie rock sees elements of electronica drift into the sound, creating melody from the chaos, dismantling and reconstructing what is to be a band. With experimentations with multi-media events and shows in unique locations, there’s little sign of the creative powers diminishing any time soon.
This Cambridge quartet has plenty of anthems to lift your heart skywards. But despite the abundant hands in the air euphoria, there’s very little you could call cheesy or straightforward about this band. They’ve succeeded in creating a sound with mass appeal, yet it stands triumphant above an increasingly stagnant stadium rock scene.
www.brightondome.org
www.drinkinbrighton.co.uk
www.thehauntbrighton.co.uk
MINI MANSIONS
STORNOWAY UNPLUCKED
PEACHES
Sat 28 Nov Patterns
Sat 28 Nov St George’s Church
Fri 4 Dec Concorde 2
With tantalising melodies and often surreal lyrics, this LA-based band invokes memories of The Beach Boys at their most inventive or The Beatles at their most inebriated. The trio released their ‘The Great Pretenders’ album earlier this year, on it dealing with themes love, death and existentialism.
Their third album ‘Bonxie’ is the best release yet for the Oxford folk-popsters. Released this summer, it highlights the band’s shared passion for wildlife, literature, and clever song-writing. Produced by the legendary producer Gil Norton, it arguably shows the band at their most personal and engaging.
Wilfully remarking the boundaries between pop and art, Peaches is touring Europe in support of her new album ‘Rub’. Renowned for her fearlessly adventurous live shows, over the past six years she’s brought a one-woman production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Peaches Does Herself’ (an autobiographical electro-rock opera) and Monteverdi’s ‘L’Orfeo’ to the stage.
With some fine vocals from Queens of the Stone Age bassist Michael Shuman, this is a long way from that outfit’s driving rock anthems. It’s a thoroughly modern spin on dreamy psychedelic pop. They might be a curious prospect on paper, but in the flesh they’re near unmissable.
www.patternsbrighton.com
Stornoway continue to refine their sound, which echoes comparisons to James, Belle & Sebastian, and XTC. Now headlining festival stages around the world, here’s a too rare chance to see the band perform an intimate show in the most beautiful of spaces.
www.meltingvinyl.co.uk
It probably won’t be long before this bunch is selling out massive arenas across the country. The summer’s festival appearances and European tour have already demonstrated their ability to wow considerable crowds. They’re euphoric, optimistic and most of all fun. If you bring yourself, they’ll definitely bring the energy.
The new album offers a typically audacious musical statement. Feeling comfortable living out any idea she wanted, it includes collaborations with Feist and Kim Gordon, continuing on the sexually progressive path Peaches forged over 15 years ago.
www.concorde2.co.uk
London Road, Brighton www.brightonopenmarket.co.uk
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Hungry for more? Brighton’s hottest street food market takes up residency at Brighton Open Market
High quality craft and makers stalls, shops and studios. Plus a craft making table, face painting, cafes and more!
Sun 15th Nov and Sat 12th Dec
EVERY THURSDAY
25+ stalls of Local crafts and produce made in the two counties
Turning on the festive lights!
The cast of Aladdin will be joining us to turn on the christmas lights and kids can meet Olaf from Frozen! See website for more details
Sat 21st Nov
Art Junky Arts, crafts, illustration, gifts, brick-a-brac jewellery & vintage Sat 28th Nov
#SwitchLocal Christmas Fair
Christmas gifts that support local and artisanal traders Sat 5th Dec
Brighton Etsy
Over 50 local designer makers selling a variety of festive gifts
Sun 6th Dec
Brighton Craft Alliance Craft & Vintage Winter Wonderland
Sun 13th Dec
London Road, Brighton www.brightonopenmarket.co.uk
32. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FAIR GUIDE Wild Strawberry Christmas Fairs Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road Sat 14 Nov - 11am - 5pm Sat 28 Nov & Sat 5 Dec - 11am - 7pm www.wildstrawberryevents.com
A Whimsical Christmas Various Venues Sun 15 Nov - 10.30am - 4pm - The Open Market Sat 21 Nov - 10.30am - 3.30pm - Patcham Methodist Church Sun 6 Dec - 10.30am - 4pm - The Charmandean Centre www.thefairytalefair.co.uk We’re looking forward to the return of The Fairy Tale Fair - a wellloved local craft and vintage fair from Brighton. The popularity of the fairs has meant this festive season is their busiest and biggest ever! The first of these at Brighton Open Market on Sun 15 Nov features over 40 local makers, plus live dancers, the snow queen and plenty to explore. If you are looking for a family day out then Patcham is not to be missed on Sat 21 Nov - pop along and take part in a craft workshop, get your face painted, stop in the vintage tearoom for cake and meet the stall holders. Finally their biggest fair of the year, ‘So This is Christmas’ in Worthing on Sun 6 Dec in aid of St Barnabas features over 70 stall holders, live performers, Santa and more magical extras. Sounds like a great opportunity to get unique, handmade gifts!
Made in Sussex - The Open Market Every Thursday until Christmas Eve 10am - 4pm www.facebook.com/MadeinSussex A brand new arts, crafts and food fair supporting the Sussex Heart Charity and hosted by The North Quarter Magazine. You’ll find lots of interesting and tempting crafts on offer with different stalls each week, right up until Christmas Eve, so plenty of chances to grab a special gift. Previous stallholders have included WordChatter HQ who make scented soy candles and personalised gifts, t-shirt company Smith & Crumble, Mandala Mosaics who create mosaic portraits and David Corbett who makes concrete animal plaques inspired by the Sussex countryside. As well as the stallholders, you’ll also be able to take advantage of the range of permanent stalls and shops at The Open Market which range from jewellery shops to green grocers, plus if you needing to rest your feet, you’ll also find a range of cafes to take a break at.
Wild Strawberry hold a variety of craft fairs at Brighton’s Unitarian Church throughout the year, showcasing the creativity, imagination, flair and beauty of the wonderful crafty people of Sussex. They’ve organised three special Christmas events through November and December to help you find the perfect gift. The aim of these fairs is to give local crafters and makers a beautiful place to showcase their talents at an affordable price without them having to pass that cost on to the buyer. Expect a huge selection of crafts, including work from Painter and Printmaker Troy Ohlson, animal-inspired felt hats by Karen Rao, handmade, organic aromatherapy products from Corrine Taylor, up-cycled furniture by Recycled Treasures, vintage, fabric bags and accessories by Brighton Beautiful and PreColombian jewellery from Aborigen along with much more including Christmas cards too. There will also be delicious cakes from Flower & Frost and festive mince pies and mulled wine to warm you up. You’re in luck if you’re strapped for time with your shopping too, as the events on Sat 28 Nov and Sat 5 Dec are open until 7pm. Although the events are free, the organisers will be collecting on the day for The Rockinghorse Appeal, so dig deep!
Big Brighton Big Brighton Chr
Bright Spark
Savethethedate! date! Save Saturday 5th December 2015 Sat 5th December 12 – 5.30pm Big Christmas Fair 2015 BigBrighton Brighton Christmas Fair
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Big Brighton is a unique and eclectic indoor campus marketplace that brings together a diverse and exciting range of student, graduate and community makers and designers. It’s the perfect opportunity to buy handmade gifts, meet the makers and stock up early on affordable Christmas presents. Products range Royal from art, homeware, food, clothes, textiles, jewellery to Pavillion innovative tech products and more. Be inspired by our range of exciting and creative products.
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34. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
CLU B B I N G PL A N N E R
CHARGED
IN THE LOOP
SOULECTION
Fri 6 Nov Patterns
Fri 6 Nov The Arch
Fri 6 Nov Komedia
The Streets’ former front man Mike Skinner graces the turntables at this very special party. Still pushing things forward with his cutting edge DJ sets, his musical selections are as eclectic as his production capabilities. From screwed-down house to old-school hip-hop, via his own up to the minute re-fixes and classic tracks, Skinner never fails to ignite the party spirit.
In The Loop have done it again. This time they’re presenting a man who took drum and bass from tiny clubs to the global stage – LTJ Bukem. Coming from a scene emboldened by the spirit of acid house, his passionate and panoramic approach to music has been the driving force behind the evolution of breakbeat.
LA based music collective and Beats1 primetime radio show Soulection make their Brighton debut with their self-proclaimed ‘The Sound of Tomorrow’ club night. With one of the hottest, most diverse label rosters of the current era, their range of talent is pushing electronic music forwards.
He’ll be joined by Pavv and Shimster, whilst renowned Manchester-based music and arts collective Murkage bring the very special talents of Tonga. It’s going to be intimate, with some wild bass music.
Joining him is the equally legendary Ray Keith. The creator of numerous jump-up anthems, his effect on the 90s rave scene and beyond is indisputable. Now these two musical heavyweights are ready to fire up Brighton. It’s going to boom! Piled on top of all this are the brilliant Aquasky, with everything hosted by Brighton legend MC Darrison. Enough said…
Supplying the finest beats are Pyrmdplaza, Jay Prince, Jarreau, Vandal and Suede. Renowned for having one of the most energetic, passionate and all-inclusive music experiences out there, this is one club night debut not to miss.
www.patternsbrighton.com
www.thearch.club
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
THE ORB
MED SCHOOL
SPECIAL REQUEST
Sat 7 Nov The Arch
Fri 13 Nov Komedia
Fri 13 Nov Patterns
Recently releasing a critically acclaimed album ‘MOONBUILDING 2703 AD’ on Kompakt Records, The Orb are now setting out on a world tour. One of the few names to emerge unscathed from the 1988 acid house revolution, they remain original innovators. Still creating vital new music, they are celebrating their unique position with a series of special 25th anniversary UK shows.
Bringing some of their finest talent with them, drum and bass label Med School Records undertake their first stand-alone Brighton visit.
UK producer Paul Woolford has played his part in shaping dance music into new forms. Now his new production identity, Special Request, sees him revisit the glory days of rave. But there is no misty-eyed reminiscence happening here. He might be readdressing the past, but is pushing forwards harder than ever.
In its various guises, the group have charted one of the most idiosyncratic paths in music. From notching up hit singles and albums, to sell-out shows all over the world and an impressive string of collaborations, now they’re showing off a distinctly minimal techno slant to their output.
www.thearch.club
Following his remarkable debut LP ‘Life Cycle’ last year, Keeno is taking centre stage for this debut event. Deservedly receiving three nominations at last year’s Drum & Bass Arena Awards, he continues to inspire with numerous standout productions and performances. Now breaking through onto the international circuit, he’s one of the most exciting and creative DJs to breakthrough in recent years.
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
It’s a slightly twisted revision of the past by the DJ, who’s spent over a decade at the top of the techno scene. Now he’s breaking all manner of conventions, introducing new sounds and recreating old ones. It might sound chaotic, but this reinvention sees Woolford at his most accessible and inspiring.
www.patternsbrighton.com
35. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
ROOTS GARDEN 20TH BIRTHDAY
DISCO DEVIANT
MODA BLACK
Fri 6 Nov Concorde 2
Sat 7 Nov Concorde 2
Sat 7 Nov Patterns
Becoming ‘dub-wise’ in 1995, this bunch have been a staple of Brighton’s club scene ever since. From hosting legendary Tuesday nights at The Jazz Place, to festival appearances everywhere and now a record label, Roots Garden bring authentic sound system culture into a club environment.
It’s high time Brighton was treated to more of Motor City Drum Ensemble’s skills. The producer of three entries on Juno Records’ all-time top selling single chart, it’s hard to deny Danilo Plessow’s efforts in re-defining house music over recent years. Revered for his chameleonic compositions, production finesse and remix mastery, these prodigious skills cross over into his DJing.
It’s another large night on the seafront. Sidney Charles brings his diverse blend of house and techno to Brighton this time. Showered with accolades, his approach to music is passionate and his output is consistent and prolific. This isn’t arena pleasing, mass-market EDM nonsense; this is the underground at its finest and most funky.
Now they’re celebrating two decades of passion and dedication to the best of Jamaican music, with the help of the rocksteady Vin Gordon. Alongside him is the Jamtone Full Sound System, with Nick Manasseh, Darren Jamtone, Leroy Horns and Laura on live brass, plus special guests from the Roots Garden stable!
Disco Deviant mainstay Pablo Contraband will also be whipping the crowd up. Make sure you get in early for this one!
Backing him up are Moda Black’s head boys, Jaymo & Andy George. Their obsessive approach has led them to shows on Radio 1, festivals around the world and prized residencies in Ibiza and London. Their label has showcased some of the most promising emergent talent, including Hot Since 82, Disclosure and Plezier. Completing this awesome line-up are Ye Ye Fever and Wild Fantasy.
www.concorde2.co.uk
www.concorde2.co.uk
www.patternsbrighton.com
GERD JANSON
JELLYFUNK
RHYTHM JUNCTION
Sat 14 Nov Patterns
Tue 24 Nov Komedia
Fri 27 Nov Patterns
Co-owner of German label Running Back, Gerd Janson knows what it takes to unearth the gems other DJs can’t. He’s certainly in demand these days, whether running Frankfurt’s Liquid club night, smashing out some beautiful simmering analogue house and techno or writing for Germany’s Spex and Groove magazines.
The Canadian composer, producer, multiinstrumentalist and five-time Juno Award winner/nominee, Dubmatix, makes his first ever Brighton appearance. He burst onto the music scene, and into the heads of reggae and bass music fans around the world, with his debut release ‘Champion Sound Clash’ in 2004.
The young German producer Florian Kupfer tops another quality Rhythm Junction lineup. Grabbing prominence through releases on the red hot L.I.E.S imprint, his retro house jams are like his DJ sets - funky and uncompromising.
So get ready for an adventure in dance music both new and old. Keeping it rocking with some cheery house grooves are local heroes Charles Green and Neal Schtumm. Feel the quality…
Now Dubmatix is firmly established as one of the top reggae producers in the world, with no less than five chart-topping releases in a row. Get ready for a sonic adventure into genre-bending dub and reggae. Support comes from the Jellyfunk Allstars, because that’s how you throw a party.
www.patternsbrighton.com
www.komedia.co.uk/brighton
Joining him is Denis Sulta. A product of Glasgow’s rich techno scene, he’s received nods from all the right places recently. Although making music his whole life, he only started spinning about five years ago. Now it’s an obsession, which has taken him to some of the best clubs in the land.
www.patternsbrighton.com
Brighton Film School From a whisper to the screen As far back as I can remember I always wanted to go to film school. Even when I was met with a look of disdain from my teachers - who seemed to be in the business of quashing any trace of creativity from their students - it made me more determined to seek out the best film course my local college had to offer. While my passion for movie making grew over those two years, my original dream of progressing to an elusive London film school dimmed as the yearly cost became all too real. So years later, after resigning myself to the fact I will only ever write about film, and relocating to this seaside town to seek my fortune, I found myself visiting the new Brighton Film School site on London Road. The first thing that struck me was my lack of knowledge about what this place does. Right on our doorstep sits a major training facility with a wealthy reputation building amongst the local community all the time, and I had disregarded it as a snobbish school that only Wes Anderson wannabes with money to spare attended. What I was greeted with was an institution focused on working towards realistic goals within the film industry, with a dedication to intimate one-on-one learning. As manager Rich led me round the building, his enthusiastic attitude demonstrated a real commitment to the Brighton Film School and this echoed fully in everyone I was introduced to. His belief in the courses and education this college provides was completely justified and so honest, “How else would you form a relationship or get your work noticed? Where would you have the opportunity to work with £100,000 camera kits or build an actual set?” He tells me confidently that all the teachers delivering lessons were also operational in their craft at the same time, and what better people to learn from than those who are constantly adapting and developing within the subject they specialise in. Their approach to practical work is incredibly refreshing - encouraging students to step into roles and take on work outside of their lessons that give them an accurate idea of what it’s really like to work on a proper production.
By Holly Cozens Tuition fees are also much lower than they are at a lot of other London film schools and to make the British film industry accessible to those attending means incredible value for those who want to be there. During my tour, I happened upon the BAFTA winning Anna Deamer, who teaches Production Design and Art Direction at Brighton Film School and seems to promote nothing but success amongst her pupils. Second year student Jonna Nordenhed confirms this ethos as Anna had already arranged work experience for them on the upcoming BBC drama ‘Cuffs’. “Anna wants you to get as much practical time as possible. Working on ‘Cuffs’ opened my eyes to working professionally on a set and we were able to put many of her teachings into practice. Working with Anna has been so helpful. For example, getting us to work to an imaginary budget prepares us for working in reality.” Mind-blown at how freely the passion for filmmaking seemed to radiate from each room I visited - teachers and students alike - I really respect what Rich and his team want to achieve here. Everything they do is to ensure each pupil gets the most tailored education possible; nurturing skills and ideas whilst instilling a professional and realistic approach that they will take with them into future jobs. They are also able to protect them from being taken advantage of on real projects, once again giving them confidence in their skillset and more opportunities in the industry. I left feeling impressed and proud that something here in Brighton could help to contribute to the creativity of the city, something that previously seemed such a London monopoly. The growth of Brighton Film School and all their courses - from degree courses and diplomas through to introductory evening classes - gives me hope that other cities might follow suit one day. Brighton Film School shows that with the right outlook, a passion that seemed so unobtainable to my stuffy teachers will absolutely flourish. Visit the website for course details, fees and more information: brightonfilmschool.co.uk www.facebook.com/BrightonFilmSchool @Brightonfilmsch
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For times, fares, leaflets and walk ideas, go to www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/breezebuses or call 01273 292480 Or visit www.traveline.info/se to plan all your journeys.
5691
You can now breeze up to Stanmer Park and Devil’s Dyke by bus seven days a week, and up to Ditchling Beacon at weekends.
38. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
2015 Earsthetic
There’s a definite point where the sonic and visual arts intersect. The mission of Brighton Dome’s ‘earsthetic’ season is to reflect this, with a programme of events equally at home in an arts space or live music venue. Music Producer for Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, Laura Ducceschi is at the core of this boundaryblurring mini festival. Her concern is less about a work’s commercial appeal, instead concentrating on its artistic integrity. The earsthetic season’s intention is to provide artists with the platform and resources to present their work as it was originally intended. “I’ve always worked in quite a curatorial way,” she tells me. With a background in music and visual arts, she is perfectly placed to both commission and produce cutting-edge projects. Ducceschi is deeply passionate about work which succeeds in straddling the boundary between visual art and live performance. A band particularly blurring this distinction - The Tiger Lillies - bring another wondrous show to this year’s earsthetic. Their other-worldly vocals and unnerving performance style has carved them a unique niche in cabaret and music theatre. Backed by ambitious virtual sets, their flamboyant live performance creates an immersive and richly atmospheric environment. Their current work ‘Lulu: A Murder Ballad’
The gift of sound and vision
is unsettling, hypnotic and kaleidoscopic, following the titular heroine from Berlin to Paris and finally to the dark London streets of Jack The Ripper. After spending four years as Head of Live Programming at the De La Warr Pavilion, Ducceschi became Creative Producer for Brighton Festival in 2011. She has come to understand many music artists cannot be simply tied to one discipline. Working in live programming and producing for 12 years, she’s fascinated with forms combining both sound and visual. “When an artist has a strong visual element in their work, it is important for me to work with that. I don’t treat it any differently from work you would experience in an art gallery.” The critically acclaimed Brighton Festival 2012 commission ‘Live_Transmission’ is the perfect example of this creative vision. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a project in full in my head, then gone on to produce it. It went on to sell out the Sydney Opera House as well as venues across Europe.” Inspired by the formidable work of post-punk band Joy Division, this production featured a huge illuminated white cube with a 30-piece orchestra inside. As they played, four projectors displayed evocative visuals on the structure, bringing the space alive. “It was scary, because we were messing with
Joy Division, which seems sacred. But we spoke to the remaining members, who gave us their blessing. Peter Saville also spent a day with me, which really helped with the narrative.” Fully embracing the audio/visual crossover is Mikhail Karikis’s ‘SeaWomen’. This video and sound installation focuses on the fascinating story of a fast-vanishing community. It witnesses a group of elderly female sea workers living on a Pacific island. Their insistence on eco-feminist work practices sees them operate outside the trend of industrialisation. There’s more genre-crossing with vocalist Elaine Mitchener’s ‘Industrialising Intimacy’ - collaborations with choreographer Dam Van Huynh; computer music pioneer George Lewis and musician David Toop. Wavering between observer and partaker, Mitchener draws on vocal improvisation, movement and sound, investigating our loss of privacy against the strength of true intimacy in our search for centeredness. A double bill from Sculpture and Alex Smoke comes to the Dome’s Studio Theatre during the season. The former is an amalgam of electronic music, kinetic art, comic strips, abstract animation, and audio/visual cutups. With music from Dan Hayhurst and animation from Reuben Sutherland, their performances mix analogue and digital practices. A new breed of electronic music producer, Alex Smoke blurs the boundaries between electronica, techno, classical and hip-hop. His latest audiovisual project ‘Wraetlic’ sees him backed with visuals from Florence To, whilst working with shorter song structures and placing his contorted vocals at the forefront of a new compelling show. Another highlight, fresh from David Byrne’s ‘Meltdown’ at Southbank Centre, sees Bianca Casady take to the stage with a new music performance project. Together with long time collaborators The C.i.A. and dancer PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS Biño Sauitzvy, she’ll be performing music from her upcoming album at the Corn Exchange, in a theatrical performance marking her debut as a solo artist.
PLU
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
PALMA VIOLETS + SUNFLOWER BEAN
THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER
BRIGHTON CENTRE 0844 847 1515 BRIGHTONCENTRE.CO.UK GIGSANDTOURS.COM TICKETMASTER .CO.UK THEVACCINES.COM /THEVACCINES NEW ALBUM ‘ENGLISH GRAFFITI’ OUT NOW A METROPOLIS MUSIC PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CODA
PLUS GUESTS
+
LIVE
PALMA VIOLETS + SUNFLOWER BEAN Already a regular night at Brighton Dome, The Works provides a chance for theatre makers, dancers, choreographers and musicians to present developing interdisciplinary work. A handful of artists will present short 10-15 minute excerpts of soundbased performance work, for a special earsthetic edition. This offers an opportunity for artist and audience to engage, providing valuable feedback for development. With a constant close eye on artistic integrity and presentation, earsthetic encourages artists to present risk-taking projects and gives audiences new experiences. With its vibrant cultural community and the avidly forward-thinking ethos of the Dome, perhaps Brighton is the only place an event like earsthetic could flourish. The city has certainly won a special place in Ducceschi’s heart. “People here are so politically, culturally and socially engaged, there is a place for everyone.”
THURSDAY 19 NOVEMBER
BRIGHTON CENTRE
0844 847 1515 BRIGHTONCENTRE.CO.UK The earsthetic 2015 programme comes to the Brighton GIGSANDTOURS.COM TICKETMASTER .CO.UK Dome complex on Weds 25 Nov/THEVACCINES – Tues 1 Dec. THEVACCINES.COM NEW ALBUM ‘ENGLISH GRAFFITI’ OUT NOW A METROPOLIS MUSIC PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CODA www.brightondome.org/whats_on/earsthetic
MONDAY 15 FEBRUARY
BRIGHTON CORN EXCHANGE
01273 709 709 | RESIDENT-MUSIC.COM | GIGSANDTOURS.COM
New album ‘Light Up The Dark’ out now
f/gabrielleaplin
A Metropolis Music presentation by arrangement with CAA
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LATEST CINEMA RELEASES NOVEMBER 2015
STEVE JOBS fri 13 NOV
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 Thurs 19 Nov
Well, it was inevitable when Ashton Kutcher took the role of Steve Jobs in ‘Jobs’ back in 2013, someone was going to see it and say ‘I could make a better film than this’. That person was ‘28 Days Later’ director Danny Boyle. Not only that, award-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (‘The Social Network’) is on board while Michael Fassbender takes the title role. Set backstage at three iconic product launches - ending in 1998 with the iMac unveiling – ‘Steve Jobs’ takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.
Practice that salute - yes, this is the last one of ‘The Hunger Games’ saga. Dry those eyes! Finally Katniss and District 13 will be launching a full-scale attack on the over-dressed and vibrantly garish Capitol, to take back their freedom. Teaming up with Edward and Jacob – oh wait… sorry, Peeta and Gale – the ‘Mockingjay’ (Jennifer Lawrence) and her comrades are set to free the oppressed citizens of Panem and assassinate President Snow (Donald Sutherland). You can expect some serious Lawrence face, lots of arrows, action and that whistle which sounds a lot like the theme from Simon Bates’ ‘Our Tune’.
BRIDGE OF SPIES Fri 27 NOV
CAROL FRI 27 NOV
Been waiting to see a film written by the Coen Brothers and directed by Steven Spielberg?
Director Todd Haynes continues his penchant for controversial romantic dramas set in the 1950s, as ‘Carol’ comes to our screens this November. His previous work - the Oscar nominated ‘Far From Heaven’ - dealt with race issues and sexual orientation and ‘Carol’ is no different. Starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, the story is based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith and focuses on a young photographer and her blossoming relationship with an older, married woman. Selected to compete for the Palme D’or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, this is set to be a good ‘un.
Well, have no fear, your day has come. ‘Bridge of Spies’ is a dramatic Cold War thriller starring Tom Hanks, based on the 1960 U-2 incident. Adapted from a book of the same name, Hanks plays a Brooklyn-based lawyer who is sent by the CIA to rescue a pilot detained in the Soviet Union. ‘Bridge of Spies’ is out this month and with a stellar supporting cast including Alan Alda and Amy Ryan, people will be ‘Russian’ out to see it.
Cinecity Screen best
The Brighton Film Festival returns for its 13th edition from Fri 13 – Sun 29 Nov this year, with the very best in international cinema and a global mix of premieres and previews, artists’ cinema and installations, treasures from the archive, retrospectives, free education screenings and events, talks and debates. Presented in partnership with Picturehouse Brighton, Screen Archive South East and the University of Brighton, Cinecity is the region’s major celebration of film, with worthy patrons on board such as Nick Cave, Barry Adamson, Brighton director Ben Wheatley, Paddy Considine and Steve Coogan. Last year, Cinecity presented the chance to catch award-winning films months in advance, including the astounding ‘Duke of Burgundy’ and ‘Timbuktu’. The opening premiere was Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s ‘Birdman’, which went on to win the Best Picture Oscar earlier this year. This November, you can expect the same calibre of cinematic treasure during opening weekend, such as ‘Lamb’ - a film from Ethiopia directed by Yared Zeleke, which had its premiere at Cannes this year. There will also be a selection of classic films that are screening as part of the nationwide BFI Love season, called the Love Picture Palace programme. Whether you are catching these magical films for the first time or re-watching old favourites, You will be able to catch masterpieces such as ‘Vertigo’, ‘Doctor Zhivago’, ‘Brief Encounter’ and ‘My Beautiful Launderette’.
By Holly Cozens
There will also be an intriguing mix of films from the Brighton Screenings call for submissions. Submissions were of a very high standard and this year, experienced filmmakers on the teaching staff at Brighton Film School helped to make the selection. The Documentary Shorts programme includes ‘This is Punk Brighton’ - Kev Wright’s film explores the underground music scene that shook up Brighton in the late 70s, while ‘Phiki Rora’ by Tilly Harding-Kemp explores Brighton’s circus sub-culture. The drama short films include surreal mystery ‘Yayo’ from Tom Kelly. Gothic horror fans will enjoy selections ‘Black Woods At Sundown’ by Tom Oliver and ‘The Kindness of Strangers’ (Alkin Emirali). The Moving Image strand will show more experimental and artist films, including ‘No Body’ (Duncan Poulton), ‘The Salt Man’ (Seyed Sajad Moosavi) and the brilliant ‘Doctor Sharpe’ (Laura Brown and Alice Ash), which has been making the rounds in Brighton this year and getting very positive reviews. As part of the festival, Cinecity will also screen a Brighton Film School showcase of short films made by students on the Filmmaking HNC/HND and the Set Design for Film and TV HNC/HND. You can check out the full programme on the Cinecity website: www.cine-city.co.uk www.facebook.com/brighton.cinecity @cinecity_bton
Brighton Film School Your future is film Courses and training in filmmaking, set design, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, directing and more. 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Film Production BA (hons) top up degree Filmmaking HNC/HND (2 year course) Set Design for Film and TV HNC/HND (2 year course) Cinematography and Directing Diploma (9 month course) Set Design for Film and Television Diploma (9 month course) Summer Schools for adults and juniors Brighton Young Filmmakers Introductory evening classes in filmmaking, set design and screenwriting
Visit www.brightonfilmschool.co.uk for more information or to apply today
Find us: facebook.com/brightonfilmschool
Follow us: twitter.com@brightonfilmsch
44. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
TH E A T R E PL A N N E R
THE INGENIOUS GENTLEMAN DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA
SOCK!
THE CRUCIBLE
ThuRS 5 Nov Brighton Dome
Sat 7 Nov Rialto Theatre
Tues 10 - Sat 14 Nov Otherplace at the Basement
Two feisty señoritas and a downtrodden Englishman embark on a journey through Spain. Award-winning company Little Soldier take on one of the most accomplished works of fiction ever written; ‘Don Quixote’.
Brighton’s newest and funkiest theatre venue plays host to a special evening of top shelf entertainment, all in aid of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. There’ll be cabaret, burlesque, DJs and the incomparable Lorraine Bowen, all raising money for an incredible cause.
In a small tight-knit community, personal grievances can collide with lust and superstition, fuelling widespread hysteria. Apollo Productions, Brighton’s newest and most exciting theatre company presents Arthur Miller’s classic dramatisation of the infamous Salem Witch Trials.
Accompanied only by an otherworldly guitarist whose presence there makes no sense whatsoever, they will lead you to joy, pain and ultimate wisdom. A hilariously inventive adventure of immense proportions, to be taken with a pinch of salt and a handlebar moustache, this madcap rendition will probably conclude with the common sentiment: ‘these guys did not read the book’.
Music for the evening will be provided by the sublime SOCK!, ably fronted by the incomparable Vince Venus. Known by millions for his appearances at Brighton Pride and on Britain’s Got Talent, Mr Venus is on a one person mission to return gold jumpsuits to the mainstream of gentlemen’s apparel.
Miller’s timeless parable attacks the evils of mindless persecution and the terrifying power of false accusations. It also seeks to depict the hypnotising power of fundamentalism, and how people can act when they truly believe they’ve God on their side.
www.brightondome.org
www.rialtotheatre.co.uk
www.otherplacebrighton.co.uk
DISCO PIGS
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
MEN IN THE CITIES
WedS 18 Nov Dome Studio Theatre
Tues 24 - Thurs 26 Nov Connaught Theatre, Worthing
TueS 24 Nov Brighton Dome Studio Theatre
Born seconds apart, Darren and Sinead, aka Pig and Runt, live in a fantasy world of their own. Trash TV, disco beats and cheap booze have fuelled this obsessive friendship. But as they go for their 17th birthday binge, reality violently collides with their fantasy and their world begins to crumble.
Performed as a live radio play, this loving tribute to the golden era of entertainment offers a fresh reminder of the eternal magic of Frank Capra’s iconic film. This Bridge House production, adapted from the original script by Tony Palermo and directed by Guy Retallack, features live sound effects and a cast of six taking on dozens of roles.
Fresh from a second successful run at the Royal Court comes the experimental storytelling from one of the UK’s most interesting theatre-makers - Chris Goode, described by The Guardian as ‘a theatre maker of infinite talent and infinite compassion’.
Written by Enda Walsh, award-winning writer of ‘The Walworth Farce’, ‘The New Electric Ballroom’, ‘Penelope’ and Camera d’Or winning screenplay ‘Hunger’, ‘Disco Pigs’ is a furious, funny and violent dash through a friendship too close to survive.
www.brightondome.org
Idealist George Bailey unwittingly finds his dreams dashed by small-town scandal. Alone on a bridge, he decides everyone would be better off without him… or would they? It falls to his novice guardian angel, Clarence, to try and save him.
www.worthingtheatres.co.uk
Drawing from the events surrounding the apparently inexplicable suicide of a young gay man, and the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby in Woolwich in 2013, this solo show is a compelling piece about harm, complicity, and the forces that shape our relationships. It’s a fascinating tale of men in crisis, presenting a challenging but radically humane portrait of our society.
www.brightondome.org
45. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
SCULPTING FEAR
MY FRIEND MR LAUREL
REASONS TO BE PRETTY
Weds 11 Nov The Old Market
Fri 13 Nov Ropetackle Centre
Fri 13 - Sat 21 Nov New Venture Theatre
A performance by Julian Heizel, ‘Sculpting Fear’ uses ephemeral structures to give shape to the formless. He generates storms and works with weather conditions in a dissolving scenography, while exploring the physicality of fear in performance.
Fulfilling a long held desire to pay tribute to his hero Stan Laurel, Jeffrey Holland tells this intriguing and poignant tale of friendship, love, and dedication. This magical one-man show looks at one of Hollywood’s greatest film partnerships.
Tim McQuillen-Wright directs the final part of Neil LaBute’s trilogy about society’s obsession with appearance. Examining our perception of beauty, it asks if there’s a curse to being conventionally attractive, as it is to be considered ugly.
Despite the modern illusion of total transparency, the unknown remains something we fear. Produced by SPRING Performing Arts Festival Utrecht, this highly visual piece expresses these fears, literally creating a storm along the way.
Set in the bedroom of a sick Oliver Hardy, the show takes place during Laurel’s visits to his dying friend. Recounting their past success as the double act Laurel and Hardy, this is a humorous and touching look at a pairing which helped shape comedy.
A love story for the rest of us, it’s a play for every guy who has ever said the wrong thing without knowing it and for every girl who has ever made sure he won’t forget. It is a comedy of how difficult being in love can truly be.
www.theoldmarket.com
www.ropetacklecentre.co.uk
www.newventure.org.uk
THE STATE VS JOHN HAYES
HAIRSPRAY
LULU: A MURDER BALLAD
Tues 24 - Weds 25 Nov Otherplace at The Basement
Mon 30 Nov - Sat 12 Dec Theatre Royal Brighton
Mon 30 Nov Brighton Dome
Huntsville Prison, Texas, 1959. Is Elyese Dukie a psychopath or seductress? Does she deserve the chair? A striking oneact, psychological thriller laced with dark humour, it is based on extensive research into real life killers.
It’s 60s Baltimore, and Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart. She’s on a mission to follow her dreams and dance her way onto national TV. An audition makes her a local star, and soon she is using her new-found fame to fight for equality, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin along the way!
The Tiger Lillies’ genre-defying brand of other-worldly vocals and unnerving performance style has carved them a unique niche in the cabaret and music theatre scene. Now they stage another adaptation of a macabre classic, as part of Brighton Dome’s earsthetic season.
On the eve of her final court appearance, Elyese reveals what led her to commit double homicide. Yet she is constantly distracted by the presence of John Hayes, a personality she adopted when committing the murders. Intriguing, ambiguous and startling, this is a brutal look at what drives a person to kill. Can you truly make up your mind, when the facts are so contradictory?
www.otherplacebrighton.co.uk
There’s plenty of craft and slyness lurking beneath the daftness though, with even a few serious issues discussed amongst the singing and dancing. Hairspray is an irresistible feel-good show, guaranteed to have you dancing the night away.
www.atgtickets.com/brighton
Lulu is one of the greatest, and most disturbing, creations of 20th century fiction. Her unbridled sex appeal, her youth, and her self-destructiveness combine to make her dangerous, unpredictable and tragic. Her journey, from street prostitute to the toast of society and back again, is told in flamboyant immersive and richly atmospheric live performance.
www.brightondome.org
HANDMADE MYSTERIES A ghost of new problems On an unassuming ‘hump-day’, myself and a few of my colleagues found ourselves standing at the back of The Black Lion in The Lanes, crowding around a reasonably perplexing gentleman. He was twiddling a pipe in his left hand and peering out, scanning the pub, over a pair of green holographic sunglasses. Although not the strangest of sights in Brighton, this chap - as the guide to our very own experience of Handmade Mysteries (Brighton’s first immersive ‘escape the room’-style experience) - seemed intriguing. With crisply pronounced words and a knowing smirk, he introduces himself as Gabriel, our host for the coming hour. We were led through the staff door up to the top of the historic building until we reach a room padlocked shut awaiting our arrival. Gabriel remained in mysterious character as he passed us torches and briefed us on our afternoon’s mission. In essence, our goal was to unshackle Lady Chastity’s Reserve wine from a sealed cabinet in the room, in the time it takes for the hourglass to empty. Having been immersed in the spirit of the game since meeting our host, we nervously shuffled into the room. The innuendo-ridden storyline kept us in pretty high spirits until we realised we were trapped in this dark room unable to escape… The experience is a sensory one - with clues to uncover at every turn, you find yourself rooting through boxes and all sorts (I don’t want to give too much away), while being blasted by the smoke machine as Lady Chastity’s voice booms through the room, belittling the players with her sharp tongue. Attempting to get our hands on the much-coveted bottle of Reserve - ‘laced with aphrodisiac’, it’s said - we started off completely clueless and bickering as to where to even begin. Eventually we called for help (you’re allowed to ask for assistance a maximum of three times. It’s quite
By Freya Hughes embarrassing that it was so soon into the game for us). Nudged vaguely in the right direction, our motivation to escape piqued. Speaking to Ben Tucker, one of the founders of Handmade Mysteries, he explains, “we prefer the term ‘escapism room’ as we immerse players in a story through sound, specially made ‘Goonie-esque’ props, authentic furniture, and chilling special effects.” Tucker and his business partner, James Addy, have done exactly this – the interior of the room is punctuated with cobwebs, antiques, gory skulls and much more – if you’re squeamish, there’s your warning. Starting in London and being a roaring (or perhaps screaming?) success, the founders figured that “Brighton’s thriving creative community is yet to be treated to ‘Escape Games’.” With a penchant for adventure, the city is definitely a great test market for their post-capital success. Tucker continues, “it felt like a responsibility to treat them [Brightonians] to some new immersive play”. As a venue, The Black Lion is perfect as the creaky floors and high ceilings transport players into a completely different world. Unfortunately, as we bickered and trusted the red herrings, the BN1 team didn’t fair too well against Lady Chastity’s ‘Crystal Maze on Crystal Meth’ as we all sat on the floor, desperately attempting to solve our last clue in the final seconds of our hour timeframe. Gabriel came in with a solemn face and led us out of the room with no prize in hand. A great experience for friends or workmates, our Handmade Mysteries experience certainly highlighted teamwork and bravery, as you get to identify those of you who are just that bit too afraid to dive into the unknown. www.handmademysteries.com www.facebook.com/handmademysteries
Pick your Perfect
y t r a p s a m t s i r h C with us!
revolution-bars.co.uk/brighton 77 West Street, Brighton BN1 2RA
LOCALLY MADE
BEDLAM
BREWERY Top of the Hops Just beyond the Downs, nestled amongst the verdant rolling Sussex countryside, a big adventure is just beginning. What began as a simple hobby has expanded, and is now set to make its mark on local brewing. Close to the sleepy village of Albourne, Bedlam Brewery are striving to create beer which is just that bit better. A revolution in beer now means savouring a decent pint is no longer the preserve of aficionados. Modern beer is exciting, diverse and easily accessible. So how does a brewery stand out from the rabble? Hand-crafted by a skilled and passionate team, brewed using mostly locally-sourced ingredients and matured for full flavours, Bedlam offers a range of beers with premium quality and distinct characteristics. Their approach is straightforward. They aim to brew the best product possible. Quality is an obsession. “It’s everything,” Bedlam’s managing director Dominic Worrall tells me. “Quality and consistency go hand in hand. You can’t have one without the other.” This local landscape has already made a mark on the international wine scene, particularly with the many sparkling varieties coming from nearby. Bedlam shares land with the award-winning Albourne Estate vineyard, so there’s plenty of enthusiasm for creating the perfect tipple flowing through this valley. The philosophy may be to brew the best beer possible, in principle something quite simple. But Bedlam doesn’t accept ‘best’ should only apply to taste. The quality of working conditions, the brewery’s environmental impact and even the crafting of the bottles all come into consideration. “We’re enthusiastic and fiercely passionate about producing great beer to a highly ethical standard.” Currently the Bedlam range spans five individual brews, hand brewed using whole cone hops, and the best malted barley. From a crisp blonde Golden Ale to their robust Bedlam Porter, each one of the brewery’s ranges contains only the finest natural ingredients. Full of flavour and provenance, they’re the sorts of beers you can easily fall in love with. If anything they’re actually breaking away from the ‘craft
By Stuart Rolt
beer’ label, disputing the term’s blanket usage to describe anything that might appeal to a certain market. “It’s just good beer,” Worrall asserts. Founded in 2012, Bedlam secured major investment recently, something vital to meet the growth in demand for their wares. Plans to expand their facility are nearing fruition, boosting capacity vastly. Alongside the construction of a new state-of-the-art brewery, they’ll eventually be opening to the public with a tasting facility and shop. The first fruits of this expansion come in the form of a new German-style Pilsner, which is also their first kegged offering. It’s the creation of their young head-brewer Fabio Israel. One of the country’s brightest brewing talents, he joined Bedlam from Hackney tastemakers London Fields. Before then, Israel perfected his craft at breweries in Europe, learning from some of the world’s masters. So he knows a thing or two about creating the perfect 568 ml… Also available in casks and bottles, the Pilsner combines Saaz and Tettnang hops for a mild spiced aroma. Paired neatly with gently dried pale malts, this creates a clean and refreshing flavour. Arguably the most stunning location for a brewery in the British Isles, this rural setting works to remind the Bedlam team of their responsibility towards nature. Already their entire brewing operation is powered by the solar panels on the facility’s roof. “The way we present ourselves and go about our business is really important. We’re mindful of our environment, and strive to make great beer which adheres to our credentials.” After being treated to remove any contaminants, excess water is dispersed across the whole estate, rather than simply poured down the drain. To further reduce impact on the environment the brewery uses locally sourced produce whenever possible, including British barley. Even the traditional waste products of spent grain and hops - often something usually disposed of at great expense - are given away to local livestock farmers for use as nourishing cattle feed. As with all aspects of this business, the beer’s packaging has been lovingly designed to the highest possible specification. A glass-packaging manufacturer based near Rotherham produces their easily recyclable amber bottles, before colourful artwork is screen-printed onto the glass by another Yorkshire firm. It might be a little more expensive for Bedlam, but a screen-printed bottle instead of a printed label lessens waste. It’s perfect for a company so concerned with developing ethical and green practices. They believe they’ve produced something unique - a brewery with an urban attitude, situated on lush farmland. Recently they’ve even started planting and harvesting their own hops onsite, something all but impossible for citybased brewers. Despite being amidst that beautiful Sussex countryside, Albion supporter and long-time city resident Worrall regards Bedlam as a true Brighton brewery. “I can’t plonk it in the middle of town, but I am a Brighton boy, as are most of the other shareholders. It’s here to represent the city.” It means a lot for him to create something people in the city are embracing and enjoying. “We want the beer to be something they have a sense of ownership of. They’re going on a voyage of discovery with us.” www.bedlambrewery.co.uk @BedlamBrewery Instagram: bedlam_brewery
50. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
THE URCHIN Seafood and craft beer
Hidden around the back of the unassuming Blatchington Road and the not so unassuming Tesco in Hove, you’ll find The Urchin, which opened back in February. My friend and I were initially a little lost looking for this place as Google Maps told us there was a road that didn’t exist (as usual) but we soon found it. Easily overlooked at first, the modest exterior doesn’t give a hint to the culinary treasures that lie within. As we approach, I catch sight of the A-board outside, telling me that they stock 100 different beers. Things are going to get exciting. The Urchin does minimalism very well with its clean interior. Muted grey is the colour of choice with a beautifully stripped wood floor and glass ball lights hanging from the ceiling on heavy ropes, echoing the oceanic theme of the menu. Manager Nick greets us warmly and introduces us to the extensive beer menu. How do I choose? There are so many beers that the menu is even split into continents! Nick recommends we try a few beers throughout the meal. Starting on the lighter side of things, he brings us a Hitachino White Ale (£5.25) from Japan. The bottle alone is beautiful enough but the beer really is something special it’s light and floral with lychee notes and has an aroma not unlike lilies. Even my friend - who isn’t usually a beer drinker - has soon emptied her glass. We take our time with the menu as it all looks so delicious. There’s an ever-changing selection of seafood dishes which are reasonably priced, with starters not topping £9.50 and mains £12.50 (excluding the luxurious whole lobster at £29). Whilst we decide, we are presented with an overflowing mini bucket of breads with oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. It’s some of the best bread I’ve ever had - deliciously soft with a delightful sourness. We are also treated to another beer, the yeasty Goose Island Urban Wheat Ale (£4.85), another light one with a nice fizz and a hoppy flavour. Although I could have happily spent the evening on their beers alone, our starters soon arrive. I go for the Grilled Langoustines with Lime and Coriander Butter (£9.50) and my friend chooses the Salt and Pepper Squid with Soy and Ginger (£7). The langoustines are tender and sweet with a citrus tang. They come half-shelled, which makes them a task to eat, but I’m given a handy tool. Once I manage to prize them out, it’s a small achievement and well worth it. My friend’s squid is equally delicious with the light batter detracting nothing from the tenderness. The soy and ginger dip simply highlights the taste.
By Kelly Edwards-Good
As we wait eagerly for the mains, another beer arrives in the form of the Siren Undercurrent Oatmeal Pale Ale (£4.95). With its smooth taste and yet another lychee undertone, it also has a slight pink tinge to it, which makes it feel rather special. Soon we’re onto the mains. I go for a classic in the form of Moules Marinieres (£9.50) and my friend chooses the Scallops with Pea Puree and Smoked Bacon (£12) along with a side of fries (£3) because we’re pretty hungry! My moules arrive in a copper type pan with a hinged lid, providing a useful place for a hand bowl and empty shells. It’s the biggest portion of mussels I’ve ever seen, but of course I’m not complaining. I’m a big fan of this classic dish and have tried it in several places across the city but this really is the best I’ve ever had. Every single mussel is cooked to perfection and some are huge compared to the ones I’ve previously encountered. The white wine and shallot sauce is luxurious, comforting and well seasoned. The chips were crispy yet fluffy and I had great pleasure in drowning a few in my Mariniere sauce. My friend’s scallops were beautifully presented in half shells, expertly cooked with a golden sheen and the pea puree and bacon added a salty yet sweet aspect, which worked together well. The Urchin doesn’t do dessert but this was fine with us as we were more than satisfied. However they do offer a tempting cheese board, which comes with Cornish Yarg, Berkshire Wigmore, Stilton and Ash Pyramid (£8). Instead of dessert we opt for one more beer to share, one that caught my eye at the very beginning of the evening - Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch (£5.85), coming in at a hefty 8.3%. The strength doesn’t distract from the taste; it’s a complex Belgian-style IPA with pine, grapefruit and sweet malts. We approach the end of our evening happily full and satisfied. As we leave we notice that there’s a large beer garden out the back, unfortunately it was a little chilly to venture out on this visit but I’m sure it would be the perfect place to sip beer in the summer. The Urchin is a real find and a true hidden gem on a Hove backstreet, serving up delicious food and incredible beer with genuine passion and friendly service. I just can’t wait to go back and try even more of their beers, I wonder how long it’d take to get through them all? The Urchin, 15-17 Belfast Street, Hove, BN3 3YS www.facebook.com/urchinpubhove @UrchinPub
Christmas at The Better Half. It’s just around the corner. Celebrate the festive season at The Better Half with some delicious Christmas fayre, a mulled wine or two and some hearty seasonal cheer in a warm and welcoming environment all throughout December. During December we will be open until 1am on Friday and Saturday Christmas Eve - 12pm to 12am Christmas Day - 11.30am to 2.30pm (Drinks and complementary nibbles)
Hove Place
Kingsway
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Boxing Day - 12pm to 1am New Year’s Eve - 12pm to 2am New Year’s Day - 12pm to 12am
To Brighton
The Christmas Menu 1st to the 24th of December — £24.95 — Butternut squash soup with rocket puree & Parmesan croutons (v) Chicken liver pate served with Christmas chutney, pickles & toasted Sourdough Warmed spiced Aubergine and tomato salad served on toasted walnut bread (v) Home-cured Scottish salmon with brown bread & butter ~ Traditional roast Turkey with all the trimmings Slow cooked shoulder of lamb with seasonal greens and potatoes Hearty bowl of spiced seafood & chickpea stew served with garlic rubbed toast Sweet potato, cauliflower & coconut curry with Greek yoghurt and naan (v) Mushroom & chestnut pie with seasonal greens and potatoes (v) ~ Christmas pudding served with brandy sauce Apple & Raisin crumble with cinnamon ice cream Chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream English cheese selection with walnut bread ~ Home-made chocolate truffles
1 Hove Place, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2RG | 01273 737869 | www.thebetterhalfpub.co.uk
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Details correct at time of printing (July 2015)
H.EN We’re up all night to get clucky
By Ellie Talebian
The staff at H.en champion what customer service truly means. With my every visit to the restaurant, I’ve been bowled over by their care and attention to detail. These people love working here, they love the food and they know what they’re talking about. Comparisons have been made between the Brighton establishment and Nando’s though, in my opinion, the two are worlds apart. United in chicken, chips and chilli sauce, the similarity ends there. They’ve got their own thing going on, so no more Nando’s talk, please.
three amigos of sauces, carefully designed to accentuate the menu, came in. You’ve got to explore the sauces and figure out which one suits your palate because when they’re added to each side dish - something magical happens. The flavours are absolutely delightful and really start coming out to play. If you can get the balance right, then this is clever food! Don’t make the same mistake that I did by eating most of the quinoa and then deciding to add the sauce - this really makes the salad sing so get stuck in immediately.
H.en’s interior is quirky and with an eclectic mix of reused and re-loved furniture and decoration. The aesthetic is bang on trend without being too pretentious thus making it an accessible eatery. The vibe is just right. With good lighting and a relaxing soundtrack, I love the fact that the restaurant caters for all and makes any diner feel at ease. The menu is simple, honing in on their strengths, and not only that, it’s good value too. You can combine burgers, grilled or fried chicken and halloumi with a selection of sides to create your own plate of H.en delights. I say plate, however dishes are presented in inventive and different ways to add a smile to the face of its diners.
The burgers and the portion sizes were perfect. If I had to favour the fries, I’d pick ‘normal’. I love sweet potato fries but when complimented with dill, the regular potato option is irresistible.
Taking our seats, we put our trust in the staff to select a cider for my companion and a craft beer for myself, and were impressed with their educated selections. I savour the specialty Pressure Drop Wallbanger (£5.45), as it’s a palatable Belgian style Wit beer, while my companion gulps their luscious Urban Orchard cider (£4.25). We ordered - after lengthy discussion over the appropriacy of an egg in a chicken burger - the Vegetarian Halloumi Burger & fries (£8.95) and the Pulled Chicken Burger with egg & sweet potato fries (£11.15). To accompany our burgers we had Quinoa Salad and Coleslaw (each at £3 respectively). It’s worth pointing out that the coleslaw comes ‘naked’ and this is where (what I’m calling) the
Whilst my dining partner temporarily excused themselves, I decided to be brave. There’s a sauce that cranks up the heat even more than their widely available hotter option that’s available upon request. It definitely proves to be fierier than the Herbie, the Duke and the Screaming Jay that are usually served to diners! Not wanting to embarrass myself (there was once a time I thought I needed an ambulance after giving it large in a Thai restaurant), I’m sure it’s understandable why I sought a solitary moment to test my taste buds. It turned out to be well balanced, suitably robust and I beg you to try it. H.en is undoubtedly onto something and what separates them from the place we won’t mention is their commitment to all things local, ethical and lovely. The staff and the food marry in this restaurant to satisfy anyone’s lust for fresh, succulent chicken and a good old laugh. H.en, 87-88 Trafalgar St, Brighton BN1 4ER www.henrestaurant.com @HenRestaurant
54. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
FATTO A MANO Made in Brighton
I find that once September is over I usually walk around shivering and being pretty grumpy. The sun’s heat abandoning us for the coming six months is really quite a sad prospect for most of us, especially when walking home means pulling your hood up and praying that rain doesn’t infiltrate our soon-to-be-sodden footwear. On a Monday evening during the beginning of this seasonal change, I did exactly that – left the office with a colleague into the pouring rain readying myself for the inevitable blocks of ice my extremities turn into in the cold. Fortunately for us, we’re just around the corner from Fatto A Mano, one of Brighton’s newest and most vibrant pizza places, so we dash in to the warmth to try out the hottest new menu on London Road. Having spent her summer gallivanting around Europe, my colleague reminisces about how she sat on balconies looking out over Italy sipping on cocktails. I feel my jealous mind start wandering until she says that the ambience of the restaurant ‘takes [her] back’ to those sunny afternoons and I realise we really have stumbled upon a special establishment. From the sleek varnished wood, to the blue and white theme, it feels like we’ve been transported to southern Europe. Snapping out of my wintery grump, I scan the menu for a delicious and refreshing beverage. I stop when I see the Hugo (£5), consisting of elderflower liqueur, Prosecco, soda, mint and lime. This is the perfect drink for our pretend summer’s evening as the ingredients are fresh and the flavours well balanced. My colleague opts for an Aperol Spritz (£5), classically made with Aperol, Prosecco and soda. To keep us going while we navigate the delectable menu, we try out the Olive Puliesi (£3) olives from Puglia - but served with olive oil to accentuate the fresh and juicy flavours. The vibrant green starter we share puts us in a great stead to enjoy the coming pizzas. My colleague opts for the traditional Margherita (£6), made up of tomato, basil, mozzarella and Parmesan
By Freya Hughes
while I go for the Capricciosa (£8.50). The latter is considerably more decadent, comprised of tomato, ham, mushrooms, artichokes, olives, salami, basil and mozzarella. The name ‘Fatto A Mano’ translates to ‘handmade’, which is very evident from the quality of our pizzas. The combination of these ingredients makes for a fantastic and well received meal. The bases of the pizzas are doughy and soft, a nod to their freshness as many places can end up making the base a little bit too tough for my taste. The Naples-inspired bases are the perfect in-between of your average thin and crispy and the American-style pizza pies. Fired up at 450 degrees, the chefs let the pizzas get a scorching kiss from their authentic oven, bringing the crust up to a decent size and perfect consistency. Also available are specials and ‘white pizzas’ which have a range of different toppings, all without the San Marzano tomato base that blankets the ‘red pizza’ options. After gorging ourselves with beautiful Italian delicacies, hidden away from the relentless rain hammering down outside, we spot a rather indulgent dessert called Scugnizzielli Nutella. At £5, these Nutella-drenched fried pizza doughnut strips are dusted with sugar and accompanied by a generous scoop of vanilla gelato. We share the last dish of the evening as we’re both quite full by this point but manage to polish off the sweet treat. I wash mine down with a glass of Sicilian white wine, Grillo Fondo Antico, with fruity notes of peaches at just £4 per glass to help all of the wonderfully prepared dishes go down. As we sit and admire the tasteful interior of Fatto A Mano, we realise our two-hour holiday is over, setting off back into the downpour and attempting to bat off our instant holiday blues. Fatto A Mano, 77 London Road, Brighton, BN1 4JF www.fattoamanopizza.com www.facebook.com/www.fatto.co.uk @fattoamanopizza
56. BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
Be Gluten Free By Mila Statham
Crispy Cajun Tofu Tacos
RECIPE Serves 2 - 3
Place the tofu between two chopping boards and place something heavy on top (a big pan will do). Leave for 20 minutes.
6 x small gluten free corn tortillas, refreshed
Mix the polenta, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper in one bowl and put aside. Mix the honey, 1 tablespoon of oil, chilli sauce and juice from a quarter of a lime in another bowl. After the tofu has been pressed, cut it into 12 large cubes. Toss the cubes into the honey bowl and stir until each cube is coated. Transfer one by one to the polenta bowl and toss into the mixture until completely coated. Heat a splash of oil in a large frying pan (medium heat) and add the tofu cubes to the pan. Cook for approximately 8 minutes, turning frequently until each side is golden brown and crisp. Lay out the tortillas on a big board, divide the sweetcorn between them and add 3 tomato halves to each taco. Top with two of the tofu cubes, a couple of avocado slices and crumble over the feta. Serve with the chilli sauce and lime wedges.
La Cucina Based in Montpelier Place, La Cucina is a popular pizza delivery restaurant to add to the list of takeaways catering to the gluten free community. La Cucina provide a great selection of pizza favourites including a good variety of vegetarian toppings and, for an additional ÂŁ1.50, they offer 11-inch gluten free bases. As with most pizzerias, please note that their website states that while every care and attention is adhered to, they cannot guarantee 100% gluten free products. www.lacucinabrighton.co.uk
in a dry frying pan (to soften) 1 x 396g pack tofu, drained  2 tbsp Cajun seasoning 1 tsp smoked paprika 80g polenta Salt & pepper 140g cooked sweetcorn 9 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 avocado, sliced and tossed in a bit of lime juice 2 limes, quartered 30g feta 3 tbsp honey 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for frying 1/2 tbsp chilli sauce, plus extra for serving 1/4 lime juice
MCC BRIGHTON A Christ inspired, free thinking, welcoming, diverse community EVERY SUNDAY FROM 5:30 PM WORSHIP STARTING AT 6:00 PM
In the heart of Brighton
Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD www.mccbrighton.org.uk www.facebook.com/mcchurchbrighton andrew@mccbrighton.org.uk
GIV E O U R C RY PTIC C R OSSWO R D A T RY ! Cryptic crosswords are easy when you know how. A clue can usually be divided into two parts the definition and the cryptic bit. Here are some examples of the main type of clue: Anagrams - Rural citrus blend (6) RUSTIC, anagram of CITRUS Containers - Love eating a pin (4) NAIL, a contained in NIL Reversals - Rejected celebrity’s pets? (4) RATS, STAR backwards Double Definitions - Top hat (3) CAP Homophones - Travelled by plane with sickness in the ears (4) FLEW, sounds like FLU Hidden Word - Service held in Christmas shop (4) MASS, Christ(MAS S)hop Selected Letter - Head of State dines in chairs (5) SEATS, (S)tate + EATS
ACROSS 1.
Most dangerous heist organised with IRA insurgent
DOWN 1.
won the inside (8) 5.
Poked, be poked, poke (6)
Hospitals outside America behead baby dog and keep quiet (4,2)
2.
Electrical transmission company replaced by me in
9.
Support act audibly expressed dejection before gig (8)
10.
Tough astronaut, Neil, loses a limb (6)
3.
initiation (9) Some of Zeus’ sisters brought up children (5)
12.
Relative found in Bulgaria? (5)
4.
Tin oven’s lid knocked off in tabletop game? (7)
13.
Understanding king won back self (9)
6.
I dined after rising subsequently to fight back (9)
14.
Rubbish and young (6)
7.
Chicks maybe think to much (5)
16.
Beach buggy disease (7)
8.
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19.
Central tenet in the tub: get under (7)
11.
Boys miss the sea in spring and summer, for example (4)
21.
Unmade beds overwhelm us greeks (6)
15.
Spies eat messily. Rose produces some (9)
23.
3,7,11,14 or 20s not working well (9)
17.
Confusion as oil rig mob riots (9)
25.
Idiots with kids (5)
18.
Unusual false alarm having B negative transfusion (8)
26.
Squash centre (6)
20.
That man overlooks current resistance to be next in
27.
Produce a song you heard by the French:
line (4)
‘Le Fin de Dover Sole’ (8)
21.
Follow loudish swimmer (7)
28.
Most up to date or behind the times? (6)
22.
Takes possession of me and them, say. You are an
29.
Receive letters dictated in the slums (8)
Crossword provided by Thom Punton visit www.bn1magazine.co.uk for the answers
afterthought (6) 24.
Trees found on time, before everything else (5)
25.
Take issue with box (5)
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