LIVE & ALBUM REVIEWS MUSIC NEWS GIG LISTINGS ISSUE 7 19 JUNE - 25 JUNE 2018
OUT OF TOWN
INTERVIEW WITH VERDINE WHITE
L I V E
2 0 1 8 29 JUNE - 01 JULY 2018 AT GLYNDE PLACE, EAST SUSSEX
F R I DAY FESTIVAL OPENING PARTY FEATURING HENRY WU, JAZZ FM PRESENTS… PLUS ABI FLYNN, ALEX HITCHCOCK QUINTET, BRASS FUNKEYS, YAKUL AND MORE
S AT U R DAY
S U N DAY
MAIN STAGE ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS LEVEL 42
MAIN STAGE EARTH WIND & FIRE GEORGE CLINTON PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC
MR JUKES • SONGHOY BLUES PP ARNOLD • MF ROBOTS
TOM MISCH • CURTIS HARDING JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET NATALIE WILLIAMS SOUL FAMILY
BIG TOP PHAROAH SANDERS
BIG TOP STEVE WINWOOD
LALAH HATHAWAY • TONY ALLEN CHRIS DAVE & THE DRUMHEDZ DWIGHT TRIBLE & THE GONDWANA ORCHESTRA ORPHY ROBINSON ALLSTARS
MAVIS STAPLES ZAKIR HUSSAIN, CHRIS POTTER, DAVE HOLLAND NIK BÄRTSCH’S RONIN • YAZZ AHMED • IAN SHAW
THE ARENA PORTICO QUARTET
THE ARENA MOONCHILD
EZRA COLLECTIVE • NUBYA GARCIA • HAILEY TUCK ALFA MIST • ROHEY • BARNEY ARTIST LEO RICHARDSON
KEYON HARROLD • MOSES BOYD EXODUS DENYS BAPTISTE “LATE TRANE” • ZARA MCFARLANE TAL GAMLIELI TRIO • OSCAR JEROME SAMUEL EAGLES’ SPIRIT
A F T E R PA R T I E S CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL CLUB • HENRY WU • ERIC LAU
ISLAND RECORDS AND FRESHLY SQUEEZED MUSIC PRESENT: VINTAGE REMIX FEATURING SWINGROWERS (LIVE), NICK HOLLYWOOD, WILD FANTASY PLUS DANCE TEAM & AV SHOW • TRU THOUGHTS PRESENTS: ROBERT LUIS & WRONGTOM • JAZZ FM PRESENTS...
B A N D S TA N D 3 LITTLE BIRDS • BRIGHTON JAZZ SCHOOL CHARLOTTE GLASSON • GIWHA AND THE 1618 JONNY MANSFIELD’S ELFTET • PAUL RICHARDS PETE HILL QUINTET • PETER FRAIZE QUARTET RORY INGHAM • ROY HILTON CELEBRATES BLUENOTE • SEN3 • SONNYMOON FOR 3 TOMORROW’S WARRIORS FEMALE FRONTLINE WHERE PATHWAYS MEET
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JAZZ I N TH E ROU N D BUKKY LEO & BLACK EQYPT CELEBRATE FELA KUTI EMMA-JEAN THACKRAY (SOLO) JAMIE MURRAY BEAT REPLACEMENT FEAT. ZHENYA STRIGALEV JAY PHELPS QUARTET • ROB LUFT BAND • SARAH TANDY BAND
B A N D S & VO I C E S CABARET • POETRY • SPOKEN WORD • DANCE AND MORE
PLUS KIDS AREA, BANQUETING, FOOD VILLAGE, WELLNESS AREA, CABARET , SPOKEN WORD, JAZZ LOUNGE & VERDICT BANDSTAND
CAMPING, SUPREMIUM, JUNIOR, FAMILY, GLAMPING AND DAY TICKET OPTIONS AVAILABLE
LOVESUPREMEFESTIVAL.COM LOVESUPREMEFEST
ISSUE 7
CONTENTS 5
EARTH, WIND & FIRE Verdine White talks to Jeff Hemmings about Earth, Wind & Fire’s origins, the group’s hits and their uplifting live shows
BRINGING THE ARTISTS CLOSER TO YOU...
CEO: Frank Sansom
NEWS
Local releases and more news from the city’s music scene
LISTINGS
EDITOR: Daniel White
Our recommended listings and previews of this week’s gigs
PRODUCTION: Adam Kidd Jonski Mason PHOTOGRAPHY: Jamie MacMillan
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CONTRIBUTORS: Jeff Hemmings Iain Lauder Ben Noble Liam McMillen Ben Walker Christian Middleton Kelly Westlake Paul Hill Chloe Zarha Dan Whitehouse
ALBUMS LIVE REVIEWS Check out the latest album releases
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The Shires, Hell Is For Heroes and Utopia’s All-Dayer feature in this week’s reviews
OUT OF TOWN
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NIGHTLIFE
Our favourite upcoming gigs outside of Brighton
Hitting the town? Check out our run-down of Brighton club nights this week
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brightonsfinest.com /brightonsfinestpresents @brightonsfinest brightonsfinestuk @brightonsfinest
RADIO
NEWS
Jeff Hemmings Mon/Wed
Legendary space-rockers Spiritualized are set to return with their eighth album, And Nothing Hurt, due for release in September on Brighton’s Bella Union label, their first record since 2012’s Sweet Heart Sweet Light. Fort Process, the oneday sound art and music event that takes place at Newhaven Fort, returns for its third edition this year (Saturday 22nd September) with performances, installations, talks, workshops and live art.
Tuesday: Interviews with The Wave Pictures and Travis Wednesday: Interviews with Beth Rowley and Johnny Marr
David Byrne announces Brighton date
Former Talking Heads frontman, David Byrne, has announced a UK tour that includes a date at the Brighton Centre, 30th October, with Benjamin Clementine as tour support. It’s been nine years since he last played here, and earlier this year he released his first solo album since 2004, American Utopia, garnering rave reviews. The album was one part of a larger project entitled Reasons to Be Cheerful, giving reasons to be optimistic in spite of political strife and environmental problems.
SCHEDULE: 9 - 11PM
Kelly Westlake Tue/Thurs
Thursday: Interview with Immersion and Brightonsfinest Listener’s Chart Monday: Interviews with Verdine White (EWF) and Paul Hartnoll (Orbital) Brightonsfinest.com/radio
TRACK OF THE WEEK Johnny Marr – ‘Walk Into The Sea’ (From Call The Comet) Out: 15th June 2018
ALBUM OF THE WEEK Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Hope Downs Out: 15th June 2018
DON’T MISS: PICK OF THE WEEK
Brighton-based four-piece Breathe Panel have announced that their much anticipated self-titled debut album will be released on their hometown label, Fat Cat, 13th July. They’ve also released album track ‘Sunrise/Sunshine’. Details of the new Interpol album have been confirmed, with Marauder set for release on 24th August. They’ve also confirmed an initial run of worldwide tour dates, and a show at the Royal Albert Hall on 14th November.
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Lionel Richie - Sussex County Cricket Ground Saturday 23rd June 2018 Responsible for a string of timeless classics such as ‘Hello’, ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Easy’, Lionel Richie is one of the best selling artists of all time. Known for his feel-good live shows, his Hove appearance is part of his ‘All The Hits’ UK summer tour, so you can expect an extensive selection of his biggest and best-loved tracks. For more information visit Brightonsfinest.com/listings
The word legend is bandied about all too readily these days, sprinkled like confetti by music fans and hyperbolic journalists. However, there can be little argument that Earth, Wind & Fire are exactly that. They’ve won 20 Grammys, been inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and sold over 90 million records. There’s plenty of excitement in the air locally as these titans of music head our way to perform a Sunday headline slot at this year’s Love Supreme festival. A few years back Love Supreme hosted The Earth, Wind & Fire Experience, featuring one-time band member Al McKay. No disrespect to Mr. McKay, but this time we’re going to get the real thing. An Earth, Wind & Fire band that includes original founder Verdine White (brother of bandleader Maurice White, who died in 2016) as well as Phillip Bailey and Ralph Johnson, who both joined in 1972, prior to any notable commercial success. Founded back in 1969, by Maurice and Verdine White, EWF preached the message of love and community from the off which, combined with their fusion of dance sounds, slowly morphed into what became their signature sound. “Maurice was a session drummer for Chess Records,” says younger brother Verdine. “He had a tremendous amount of studio experience before he started EWF. Really, our roots come from the city of Chicago. We went to LA (shortly after the band formed) and took our music with us. The roots are certain aspects of
jazz, r’n’b, pop. Miles, Coltrane, The Beatles, all those guys. And WBON, the radio station.” WBON was a key voice in the 60s for African-American communities, providing a forum to discuss social, political and economic issues. Although they were making a mark on the college circuit, it wasn’t until the legendary founder of Columbia Records, Clive Davis, signed the group to his label that things started to really happen for them. “We had three albums previously before we started getting the
“When Clive signed us to Columbia Records that’s really when we took off [and] started getting into what I call The Big Bang Theory” hits, including Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss Song. When Clive signed us to Columbia Records that’s really when we took off. That was a great moment when Clive signed us. He was wonderful to us and he is still a great friend today.” Then, boy, did the hits start coming. ‘Shining Star’, ‘Sing a Song’, ‘September’, ‘Boogie Wonderland’, ‘All the Love Has Gone’, and ‘Let’s Groove’ were all top ten hits in the States. “That’s when we started
getting into what I call ‘The Big Bang Theory’, when we really broke through.” Despite the fact that EWF haven’t been a hit making machine for many years, they’re still a musical force, their live shows are one rich tapestry of uplifting wall-to-wall hits. “Last night was incredible. Incredible. Incredible,” says Verdine, about their New Jersey show. “The shows are sold out, the audiences are great and enthusiastic, and it is a lot of fun.” With their signature song, ‘September’, still a favourite on radio, younger audiences are still learning about the incredible musical force that is EWF. “That was because of the Trolls soundtrack,” says Verdine about the continuous interest in the band. “We actually had three songs in the number one and number two movie in the same weekend. And because of Trolls we have a lot of younger people come to our concerts. We had a ten-year-old up on-stage last night with us,” says Verdine with obvious satisfaction. Along with ‘Boogie Wonderland’, ‘September’ has become an iconic song for the group. I ask Verdine why that is. “We’ve had hits before and after, but the audience picks that song.” So, you always have to play it!? “You’ve got to play it if you’re going to make any money!” he laughs. How do you get ready for a gig. Any rituals involved? “We get in a circle before we go on, and focus. And then go and kill it, man!” To read the full interview visit Brightonsfinest.com/EWF
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GIG LISTINGS Concorde 2 Skids Friday 29th June Tickets: £25 Presented by AGMP Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Saturday 7th July Tickets: £23.50 Presented by Concorde 2 Lucky Chops Wednesday 11th July Tickets: £22.50 Presented by One Inch Badge
Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar Lumer Saturday 23rd June Tickets: £3 OTD Presented by Monkeyland Promotion Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown Monday 25th June Tickets: £12.50 Presented by Lout Promotions Valeras Friday 29th June Tickets: £6 Presented by Hidden Herd Doyle (Misfits) Tuesday 3rd July Tickets: £16.50 Presented by Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar MSRY Monday 9th July Tickets: TBC Presented by Piglet Gigs The Cosmic Dead Thursday 12th July Tickets: £8.80 Presented by Acid Box
Brighton Rugby Club Music Mania Friday 6th - Saturday 7th July Tickets: £30
Duke of York’s Cinema Kristin Hersh Saturday 30th June Tickets: £22 Presented by Dictionary Pudding
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PREVIEWS Green Door Store LibraLibra Thursday 21st June Tickets: FREE Ye Nuns Saturday 22nd June Tickets: £8.80 Presented by Dictionary Pudding Distant Monday 25th June Tickets: £6.60 Presented by Anivian Promotions Bongzilla Tuesday 26th June Tickets: £16.50 Presented by Green Door Store
Starcrawler - The Haunt Tuesday 19th June 2018 The Rough Trade signees started the year off with a bang, releasing their eponymous debut album and now, in between massive European festival slots and supporting the Foo Fighters, they’ve managed to fit The Haunt in their hectic touring schedule. This is going to be an exciting, loud and simply bonkers show from one of the most exciting young American bands.
Samana Wednesday 27th June Tickets: FREE Femrock Fest 2018 Saturday 30th June Tickets: £8.80 Presented by Femrock Colour Me Wednesday Sunday 1st July Tickets: £6 Presented by Colour Me Wednesday Idle Crooks & Englishmen Tuesday 3rd July Tickets: £4 OTD Presented by Hashcroft Promotions H. Grimace Monday 9th July Tickets: FREE
Belly - Concorde 2 - Tuesday 19th June 2018 After 23 years, the same line-up that forged Belly’s 1995 album, King, have just released a new record, Dove, a work that shows that the fire is still there. As well as the songs, there’s a mix of turbo-charged indie guitar, country flavours, and intimate balladry in abundance. It’s a magnificent return and Brighton keenly awaits this night at Concorde 2.
The Prince Albert Octopuses Wednesday 20th June Tickets: TBC Presented by Dazed & Awake Folklore Volume 1 Sessions Release Show Tuesday 26th June Tickets: £5 Presented by One Inch Badge
Hove Cricket Ground Little Mix Friday 6th July Tickets: £60 Presented by Little Mix
Travis - Brighton Dome Wednesday 20th June 2018 19 years after the release of The Man Who, the album that defined the early 00s for many, Travis will be performing the entire album at a special show at Brighton Dome. The years will be rolled back and the songs that marked and defined a generation will be lovingly embraced once more, transporting everyone back to the heady days of a new century.
GIG LISTINGS The Hope & Ruin
PREVIEWS The Haunt
The Ex Tuesday 19th June Tickets: £13.20 Presented by Dictionary Pudding
Modern Life Is War Monday 25th June Tickets: £10 Presented by Neat Neat Neat
Giant Peach Wednesday 20th June Tickets: £5 OTD Presented by TH&R
CW Stoneking Saturday 30th June Tickets: £16.88 Presented by One Inch Badge
Teen Creeps Tuesday 21th June Tickets: £4 Presented by Slippy H
Bodega Thursday 5th July Tickets: £10 Presented by One Inch Badge
Wayne Snow Sunday 24th June Tickets: £8.63 Presented by One Inch Badge
Sons of Apollo Saturday 7th July Tickets: £22 Presented by Lout Promotions
Wax Chattels + grasshopper Monday 25th June Tickets: FREE Presented by Love Thy Neighbour
Preoccupations Saturday 14th July Tickets: £14 Presented by One Inch Badge
Fresh Wednesday 27th June Tickets: £5 OTD Presented by sugar-free
Komedia
Springhill Saturday 29th June Tickets: £5.50
Boo Hewerdine Tuesday 19th June Tickets: £17.50 Presented by A Startled Chameleon
The Len Price 3 Saturday 30th June Tickets: £9.90 Presented by SBD Promotions
The Wave Pictures Wednesday 20th June Tickets: £13.50 Presented by One Inch Badge
Arch Echo & Schiermann Sunday 1st July Tickets: £10 OTD Presented by Anivian Promotions
Lydia Evangeline Thursday 28th June Tickets: £6
Stonefield Thursday 5th July Tickets: £8.80 Presented by Acid Box The RPM’s Saturday 7th July Tickets: £6.60 Presented by This Feeling Thee MVP’s Thursday 12th July Tickets: £5.50
Rialto Theatre Mama’s Gun Thursday 28th June Tickets: £13.75
Indigo Husk - Green Door Store Wednesday 20th June 2018 London four-piece Indigo Husk are an indie band that wear their heart on their sleeves. The band’s feelings bleed through on record and they’ll be bringing their indie-meets-garagepunk to their first headline show in Brighton, at the Green Door Store, a tantalising prospect and one that will go some way in proving their ability and popularity in the live sphere.
Isle of Wight Festival - Thursday 21st June - Sunday 24th June 2018 Traditionally the curtain-raiser for the mainstream music festival season in the UK, the 2018 line-up continues their reputation for being a platform for some of the largest acts in music. The line-up includes Depeche Mode, The Killers, Kasabian and Liam Gallagher - undoubtedly marking the festival as the one to watch in the absence of Glastonbury this year.
Brighton Dome Burt Bacharach Monday 9th July Tickets: £50 Presented by One Inch Badge Oh Sees Thursday 10th July Tickets: £25 Presented by One Inch Badge
Brighton Racecourse Orbital Friday 29th June Tickets: £39.50 Presented by VMS Live
Miles Kane - Concorde 2 Monday 25th June 2018 It’s been five years since Miles Kane’s last solo record, Don’t Forget Who You Are. His latest album, Coup De Grace looks set to be the album that launches Kane out of just being Alex Turner’s mate, and into indie stardom. His Concorde 2 show, which sold-out pretty much on release, is going to be an exciting example of just that.
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LIVE REVIEWS
ALBUM REVIEWS KIDS SEE GHOSTS – KIDS SEE GHOSTS Out: 8th June 2018
Supporting their latest album Accidentally On Purpose, The Shires brought their pop-inspired country sound to the Brighton Dome. As a seated event, this show was all about the audience relishing in the soundscapes, though that didn’t stop many taking to their feet to dance along.
Like a forgotten hero re-emerging in the final act, bloodied and battered, Hell Is For Heroes sound as good as they ever did during this Concorde 2 show, possibly even better.
All-day events can be tricky to get right, especially somewhere like the Green Door Store. Overall it was a great gig put on by Utopia with a great selection of bands keeping it fresh.
Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/live
Part three of Kanye West’s saga is here! No doubt better than ye, this is a project that packs its 23-minute runtime with as much energy, creativity and exciting ideas as a fulllength. There’s no doubt that West’s still got it in the production department, but KIDS SEE GHOSTS is proof that he, and Cudi, still have the lyrical capabilities to make some real change.
Serpentwithfeet brings Serpentwithfeet – soil forth his debut album, soil: Out: 8th June 2018 a record which is redefining the meaning of ingenious sampling, hybridising genres and reinventing gospel in its own unique way. Some tracks allow Josiah Wise to truly demonstrate his delicate but intensely powerful lyricism, while others show the fragility behind his art. Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/albums
NIGHTLIFE
OUT OF TOWN
24hr Garage Girls Friday 22nd June Patterns 11pm - 4am
Polar / Certi Audio Friday 22nd June Hideout 11pm - 4am
Moon Duo Wednesday 20th June Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, London, 7.45pm
Inner Circle Thursday 21st June The Jazz Cafe, London 7.00pm
Cyantific presents Bloodline LP Launch Friday 22nd June Volks 11pm - 7am
HAAi / Krywald & Farrer / Tech Support Saturday 23rd June Patterns 11pm - 4am
Foo Fighters Friday 22nd June London Stadium 5pm
Lenny Kravitz Friday 22nd June SSE Arena, Wembley, London, 6.30pm
SpectraSoul / Ownglow / Deadline Saturday 23rd June Hideout, 11pm - 5am
Deetron / Will Saul Saturday 23rd June The Arch 11pm - 4am
Town Of Cats Friday 22nd June Lewes Con Club 8pm
ORBFEST Saturday, 23rd June Roundhouse, London 3.30pm
Midsummer Fever Saturday 23rd June Rialto Theatre 9pm - 5am
The Viva Soul Club Saturday 23rd June Komedia 9pm - 3am
Nine Inch Nails Sunday 24th June Royal Albert Hall, London 6.30pm
Black Deer Festival Fri 22nd - Sun 24th June Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells
Full event listings at Brightonsfinest.com/listings