Live – Long Fling | Solid Pleasure at The Hope & Ruin

Long Fling & Solid Pleasure at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton, 15th October 2025

Lots of buzz around headliners Long Fling and we weren’t to be disappointed. First up though, another reminder of why you get there early to catch the support band. Solid Pleasure bring something different to the current local scene, with a fusion of dark electro, no wave and pure pop that is instantly memorable. Featuring Neave Merrick and Lucy Milani, the tunes are a melting pot of 80s clubland meets goth distortion, all served up in a vat of Eurotrash. It’s safe to say I’ll be going back for more.

Onto the main event and featuring two of Amsterdam’s favourite indie musicians, Long Fling is the latest project from Pip Blom and Willem Smit (Personal Trainer). Both have separately pulled in Brighton crowds on multiple occasions and, unsurprisingly, The Hope & Ruin is packed for their return visit on Wednesday evening. It proves to be a masterclass in shared ownership as the spotlight flits between the duo’s vocals and musicality, the songs often forming a conversation, allowing both to shine. Joined onstage by Tender Blom, Sal Rubinstein and Darek Mercks, the entire band look like they’re having the best time, and the feeling is clearly contagious as the audience is full of smiles and dancing feet.

From the opening gambits of Pig and Mouse House, there’s a synergy that combines their strength and energy, with easy shifts between tempo. Collaborations between different styles don’t always make for a happy mix but this feels pretty easy to digest, and the general fun atmosphere on top gives the room an overall warm fuzzy feeling of contentment. It’s likely that some people will have come along as fans of either Personal Trainer or Pip Blom, and likelier still that they’ll have left with a new name to add to their purchases and playlists.

Long Fling play at YES in Manchester tomorrow and their recently released self-titled album is available here if you want to continue the party.

Hosted by Love Thy Neighbour

Solid Pleasure