Brighton is packed with industry professionals as well as artists and music lovers. Beginning Thursday in a cafe I was sat beside a person who had three meetings in the time I’d had my breakfast! Once I had my schedule for the day it was time to head to Grand Central, a pub beside the train station with a lovely upstairs room. What a pleasant surprise to see Kitchen Lovers, a late addition to the schedule and a band on my list. The rowdy punk rock vibe was the perfect wake up call. They were followed by Pedestrian Band whose EP Band! I had reviewed at the end of last year. The trio effortlessly blend genres, the vocals shifting between drummer and singer. Definitely ones to watch.
A dash to the Hope and Ruin just ten minutes down the road to see LA’s jawdropped, playing their first show in the UK. They did not show any signs of suffering from jetlag and it was worth the jog to see their grungey rock n’ roll.
Back to the Grand Central, yes it was one of those days running around! Mutant Thoughts and marketplace played to a near empty room but both played as if it was full. Chatting to marketplace’s manager they had performed at New Colossus and SXSW in March. The band had travelled from Hartlepool to play their indie pop set in Brighton and their music and banter said it all about the love for what they do.
Next stop The Mesmerist for Faeda from Thurso in the very north of Scotland. Indie rock delivered with attitude and gravitas. The common theme in most performances so far? The bands are having a blast.
Back to the Hope and Ruin for a triple whammy of glorious noise: cowboyy, Ribbon Skirts and Daufødt from UK, Canada and Norway respectively. All three brought exhilarating energy and it was particularly good to see cowboyy return after a couple of years away.
The Norwegians in particular though blew me away. I could not help but thrash about, the lead singer was in and the crowd and their infectious energy along with a noiserock soundscape was simply exhilarating.
And finally to The Folklore Rooms to end the day with BIBA and Punchbag. What a delight to see BIBA have fans watch them and sing every word. The joy was palpable. Punchbag are the perfect band for The Decibel Decoder to end their night. Their influences include Bjork and LCD Soundsystem and they have one aim – to get the room dancing. Mission Accomplished.
Band of the Day: Daufødt