ISSUE 13 31 JULY - 6 AUGUST 2018
BRITNEY PLAYS BRIGHTON
LIVE & ALBUM REVIEWS
From Amadou & Mariam, Suzi Island, Ty Segall & White Fence and more
MUSIC NEWS
From The Prodigy, Blood Orange and The Chats
GIG LISTINGS Our recommended listings of gigs in Brighton
NILE RODGERS We talk about his new album ahead of Love BN1
A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
ISSUE 13
CONTENTS NILE RODGERS Ahead of the inaugral Love BN1 Fest, Jeff Hemmings caught up with the legendary Nile Rodgers prior to his big show
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3 ALBUMS
NEWS
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BRINGING THE ARTISTS CLOSER TO YOU... CEO: Frank Sansom EDITOR: Daniel White
LISTINGS
LIVE REVIEWS
Our recommended listings and previews of this week’s gigs
Jazz Re:Fest, Amadou & Mariam and Suzi Island all feature in this week’s reviews
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PHOTOGRAPHY: (cover shot) Jamie MacMillan, Laurie Griffiths, Bunny Bread CONTRIBUTORS: Jamie MacMillan, Jeff Hemmings, Iain Lauder, Ben Noble, Liam McMillen, Ben Walker, Christian Middleton, Kelly Westlake, Paul Hill, Chloe Hashemi, Dan Whitehouse, Annie Roberts press@brightonsfinest.com advertising@brightonsfinest.com
OUT OF TOWN
Check out the latest album releases
PRODUCTION: Adam Kidd, Jonski Mason
Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved.
Our favourite upcoming gigs outside of Brighton
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The Prodigy are back with ‘Need Some1’, the first single from their new album, No Tourists, out 2nd November. “I wanted to write something that had downtempo swagger, but still felt dangerous,” says Liam Howlett, who’s joined by original members Maxim and Keith Flint.
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Devonte Hynes has announced that his new album and fourth as Blood Orange, Negro Swan, will be released on 24th August. “My newest album is an exploration into my own and many types of black depression, an honest look at the corners of black existence,” he explained.
Best known for their viral video to their song ‘Smoko’ and their outstanding haircuts, Josh Price, Matt Boggis, and Eamon Sandwith, aka The Chats, are set to tour the UK this October, including a date in Brighton. However, as it’s sold out, expect some more tour scheduling in the future.
GIG LISTINGS Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar Puppy Tuesday 7th August Tickets: £9.20 Presented by One Inch Badge Stone Cold Fiction Thursday 9th August Tickets: £3.30 Jacob Aaron & The Reign Friday 10th August Tickets: £7 OTD Presented by Paralytic Promotions The Rhythm Method Saturday 11th August Tickets: £5 OTD Presented by SB Live Astpai Tuesday 14th August Tickets: £4.40 Presented by sugar-free + Unfun
Preston Park LoveBN1 Sunday 5th August Tickets: £27.50
Green Door Store Frank & Beans Wednesday 1st August Tickets: FREE Sharkmuffin Friday 3rd August Tickets: £5 Presented by SB Live The Pleasure Routine Sunday 5th August Tickets: FREE Pardans Tuesday 7th August Tickets: FREE Time, The Valuator Wednesday 8th August Tickets: £5 Presented by Paralytic Promotions Samana Thursday 9th August Tickets: FREE
Concorde 2 Tiffany Wednesday 1st August Tickets: £20 Presented by Lout Promotions Chaka Demus & Pliers Sunday 5th August Tickets: £27
PREVIEWS The Prince Albert Matthew Ryan Wednesday 1st August Tickets: £11.50 The Runawayz Saturday 11st August Tickets: £11
The Hope & Ruin The Burning Hell Tuesday 31st July Tickets: £11 Presented by Love Thy Neighbour Tequila Mockingbird Wednesday 1st August Tickets: £7.70
Locals #11 – The Prince Albert – Monday 6th August 2018 Hot Wax Promotions and Tigmus have teamed up to present this monthly night of brand new local talent. The night is geared up to encourage people to see all the bands, with a discount on the door for punters who show up before 8.30pm. The bill for this edition includes Radidas, Grymm, and Buddha Blood. Mondays are pretty rubbish normally, and £4/3 is a total steal – get yourselves down to this night and support the local scene.
A Room Swept White Friday 10th August Tickets: FREE Mystic Braves Sunday 12th August Tickets: £7.70 Presented by Love Thy Neighbour
The Haunt Earthless Wednesday 1st August Tickets: £16.50 Presented by Tidal Concerts Sam Outlaw Friday 3rd August Tickets: £17.60 Bishop Nehru Wednesday 8th August Tickets: £14 Presented by One Inch Badge
PI OF CK T WE HE EK
Pride Festival – Preston Park – Saturday 4th August 2018 Pride Festival has made a real coup this year in securing Britney Spears to headline its main stage on Saturday. Other confirmed acts include Ella Eyre, Pixie Lott, Mabel, Mnek and Louise, meaning there’s plenty on the menu for fans of glitzy, kitsch pop music. It’s been described as Britain’s “most popular” LGBT+ event, when the city annually floods with thousands upon thousands of partygoers, eager to celebrate.
Pianos Become The Teeth Saturday 11th August Tickets: £15 Presented by One Inch Badge
Komedia Steven Page Monday 6th August Tickets: £22 Presented by One Inch Badge Talitha Rise Friday 10th August Tickets: £13 Presented by Komedia The Skatalites Monday 13th August Tickets: £20 Presented by Global Beats
Love BN1 Fest – Preston Park – Sunday 5th August 2018 For the first time this year Brighton’s Pride Festival will be extended, taking in a second day of festivities at Preston Park. Love BN1 pitches itself as a celebration of ‘everything Brighton and Hove’, aimed at bringing communities and ‘Rainbow families’ together for an afternoon of fun with a more family-oriented feel than the main festival. There’ll also be performances from the like of Nile Rodgers, Jess Glynne and Gabrielle.
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LIVE REVIEWS
ALBUM REVIEWS Ty Segall & White Fence – Joy Out: 20th July 2018
A nonsensical tug of war between two artists that have their feet rooted firmly in chewing gum, Joy feels like a lost record from the 60s made by two teens holed up in a shack on psychedelics. As confusing as Joy is, it’s a really fun record to listen to. It’s a rough, scrappy album that feels incredibly off the cuff. It’s like being invited to listen to the duo jam, which will divide fans as to whether that’s a good thing or not.
A sleek, delicious slice of summer, Hive Mind confirms The Internet as one of the most exciting alternative r’n’b acts on the planet. They’ve taken Ego Death’s delicious formula, worked cohesively as a unit and produced a record that is funky, soulful, and brimming with consistency, intelligibility, and the creativity of the band. As introspective as their individual personalities, The Internet have brought out another quiet masterpiece.
The Internet – Hive Mind Out: 20th July 2018
The likes of Vels Trio, Daniel Casimir, Ruby Rushton and SEED all helped to make JAZZ RE:FEST an incredible celebration of UK jazz. Organised by one of the pillars of London’s jazz scene, Jazz Re:freshed took over the Brighton Dome to showcase some of the best in a blossoming scene.
Amadou & Mariam brought an effervescent, empowering and thought-provoking set to Concorde 2. It was an uplifting, rapturous showcase of the power of music and a glorious coming together of music fans from young to old.
One of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Brighton’s music scene, this was a tantalising experience of captivating, youthful pop music. On this evidence, Suzi Island will be a destination for many in the coming months.
Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/live
Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/albums
NIGHTLIFE
OUT OF TOWN
Horse Meat Disco & DJ Faro Saturday 4th August Patterns 9pm - 4am
Bass Levels Saturday 4th August Hideout 11pm - 4am
Suzi Island Wednesday 1st August The Islington, London 7pm
Black Foxxes Thursday 2nd August Sixty Sixty Sounds, London 7pm
Denis Sulta Saturday 4th August The Arch 9pm - 4am
Crazy P Saturday 4th August Concorde 2 11pm - 4am
Kamasi Washington Friday 3rd August Serpentine Sackler Gallery, London, 8pm
Smoove & Turrell Friday 3rd August The Blues Kitchen, London 9pm
Discojuice Saturday 4th August Rialto Theatre 11pm - 5am
Between The Tropics Saturday 4th August Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar 11pm - 3.30am
The Unthanks Friday 3rd August Royal Albert Hall, London 7.30pm
The Dickies Saturday 4th August Lewes Con Club 7.30pm
Dave Angle Saturday 4th August Volks 11pm - 7am
Flava D Saturday 4th August Coalition 10pm - 5am
Danzig Tuesday 7th August O2 Academy Brixton, London 7pm
Black Delta Movement Wednesday 8th August Rough Trade East, London 6.45pm
Full event listings at Brightonsfinest.com/listings
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NILE RODGERS Ahead of his performance at LoveBN1, Nile Rodgers spoke to Jeff Hemmings about his environment growing up, English musicians and It’s About Time Chic – It’s About Time Glastonbury 2013. Chic are on the West Holts Stage, performing some of the greatest pop music ever made. ‘Everybody Dance’, ‘Dance Dance Dance’, ‘I’m Coming Out’, and ‘We Are Family’. That was just for starters. It’s relentless. ‘Let’s Dance’, ‘Like A Virgin’, ‘Lost in Music’, ‘Le Freak’. Sounds like a dream playlist, doesn’t it? From artists as famous and diverse as Madonna, David Bowie, Sister Sledge, Duran Duran, Diana Ross, and of course Chic, what is the common factor? Nile Rodgers has had a big hand in all these songs, either with his band, Chic, or as a writer, and/or producer. His work with Chic and his writing and production work for artists like David Bowie and co. has helped sell in excess of an incredible 500 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide. That particular show was a key moment in the Chic renaissance. They had never really gone away, but the BBC were at hand to film and beam the show live into living rooms, computers and tablets around the world. What really nailed it though was the release of Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’, just prior to that Glastonbury appearance, which featured both Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, both of whom were co-authors of this worldwide smash that utterly transcended age and geographical demographics. As well as being an extraordinary guitarist, Rodgers has always reached out to new-kids-on-the-block, forging new relationships and collaborations in looking to update his signature sound. Recently, he’s worked with the likes of Lady Gaga and Disclosure, whilst at the same time harnessing that energy to embody the original intent and spirit of Chic, from the moment they released their debut album in 1977. “When I first came up with the concept for the first Chic album cover more than 40 years ago it was a deliberate statement that we could all be abundant, we could all be with the
beautiful people, we could all be included, we could all have good times,” Rodgers explained. “Looking at the world today for the release of It’s About Time, I felt that it was important to make those statements again for a new generation.” Rodgers has indeed lived a life. Born to a 13-year-old mother, and surrounded by heroin users in his childhood, Rodgers’ family home was nevertheless artistic, bohemian, and intellectual. Despite his heroin use his father was a top percussionist, and his stepfather a gifted mathematician. “They were high-functioning addicts. Always. I inherited that gene.”
Out: 14th September 2018 hanging out in England and had been with so many English artists that were brand new, and one of my favourite artists is Nao. She kicks my ass. I was like, ‘I have to find her’, and I tracked her down. She had this incredible attitude of ‘whatever you want, I’ll sing’. We were in the studio all night long. Finally, I take a picture of Mura Masa, Nao, and myself out in front of Abbey Road at like five in the morning because we had been going all night. And then we wind up with a song called ‘Boogie All Night’.
Now, finally, we’re getting some new Rodgers & Chic music! The appropriately named It’s About Time will be released in September, and features collaborations with Mura Mura, Cosha, Nao, Steflon Don, Craig David, Anderson .Paak and Vic Mensa, updating Chic’s distinct funk and dance-infused sound. “I’ve had the great privilege of producing some of the most important artists in the world,” says Rodgers. “So when it came time to collaborating for my own record the barometer was, shall we say, pretty high.”
”I wanted to create the same ambiguity that we had and see if we could strike the same place twice,” says Rodgers about the similarities between the very first Chic album in 1977, and It’s About Time. “Now, I can still pay homage to the people that have helped me along the way to get me to where I am. It’s in the music, it’s in the songs. I think that’s what all artists want to do, is speak to the soul of millions. You’re doing this so people can hear and experience your work.”
In particular, Rodgers has again reached out to newer artists, “I had been
To read the full interview visit Brightonsfinest.com/NileRodgers Pride 2018 will see some of the biggest gigs ever in Brighton. The bona fide A-list popstar Britney Spears headlines Pride Festival on 4th August - not surprisingly, tickets literally sold out within minutes - while Nile Rodgers & Chic heads up a bill on 5th August that also includes Jess Glynne, Raye, and Gabrielle. James Ledward, founder of G-Scene magazine says, “Brighton Pride is a truly international event, a ‘Pride with a Purpose’, which raises money for local LGBT+ organisations enabling them to deliver essential front line services to LGBT+ people in the city.”
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