Live – Flat Party | Black Bordello | COWZ | Ski Lift at The Hope & Ruin

Flat Party, Black Bordello, COWZ & Ski Lift at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton, 7th May 2025

Back at my favourite venue for a quartet of bands offering up a discerning assortment of genres last Wednesday – first up at The Hope & Ruin are south London based Ski Lift, indie pop with a touch of new wave. Benji’s vocal is reminiscent of a young Pete Shelley and the dynamics of the band fit together well, getting things off to a great start.

Brighton’s own COWZ follow – always lots of fun to watch, their saccharine alt-pop lands like a warped Eurovision entry. Part kitsch, part razor sharp lyrics, they’re a duo to be reckoned with and always add a shot of energy to any line-up.

Black Bordello take the next slot, intriguing and hard to pinpoint genre-wise. There’s a definite goth vibe visually but the music takes a few twists and turns along the way. Experimental vocals push the songs in different directions with hints of Kaleidoscope-era Siouxsie, particularly on opening track Acid Mary. The set manages to be both brash and gentle at the same time and leaves an impression for sure.

Completing proceedings, an accomplished performance from Flat Party with a confident stage presence and some clear Britpop epoch influences. A nod to their appreciation of Suede comes through in Jack’s vocal, and I can’t help but think that overall they’re a bit like you would have hoped Blur would be before they started making cheese (musically and literally). Lots of unreleased tracks suggest that 2025 is going to be a big year for Flat Party – on our recommended list.

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Ski Lift