Alternative Festival Shows, Brighton

Jawdropped, Tasska, Polite Bureaux, Formal Sppeedwear & Solid Pleasure, Brighton 14th-15th May 2026

Whilst The Great Escape takes place, there are always a huge number of shows running in alternative venues across Brighton. To be honest, if you only attended those, you’d still have been spoilt for choice. As we were covering the main event, I didn’t have time for too many but managed to still catch a few of the best on offer…

Jawdropped at The Hope & Ruin

Visiting from LA, Jawdropped were part of this year’s No Friends in the Industry event, which has become a popular annual feature hosted by Love Thy Neighbour. Finding its home downstairs at The Hope & Ruin, the bar area is the perfect spot for an informal but busy showcase of local and touring acts. The four-piece, who have recently joined the Transgressive roster, pulled in a decent crowd and impressed with their fuzzy power-pop songs. Dual vocals and the indie essential tambourine brought upbeat tunes that reminded me a little of Martha, and that’s no bad thing.

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Tasska at The Pink Moon

Always nice to check out what Strong Island Recordings are bringing to the alt shows; this year one of their collabs was with Miohmi Records upstairs at The Pink Moon – a good space though apparently later in the week numbers had to be cut as the ceiling below was bowing! Brighton locals Tasska gave a polished performance of guitar-driven indie folk that had the crowd dancing. Easy listening and a clearly strong connection between the trio.

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Polite Bureaux at Alphabet

Onto three acts brought to us by Slack City. Alas no long Brighton based after returning to Bradford but still with a loyal fanbase here, Polite Bureaux’s set at Alphabet gave another opportunity to hear their socially aware musings. The second recent outing with Jo playing solo and honestly, it works so well, allowing the freedom to take over the whole stage and adding potency to the visual impact. The increased confidence is absolutely justified and there are some beautiful tracks in there amidst the frenzied forcefulness of the performance. Queues outside as the room was full? Well deserved.

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Formal Sppeedwear at Alphabet

With rhythm sections reminiscent of Talking Heads and jagged layers running throughout their songs, Stoke-on-Trent’s Formal Sppeedwear are stealthily making a name for themselves and definitely seem to be upping their game. Artsy and veering into experimental, their sound forms a cohesive blend of multiple elements. Expect bigger things.

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Solid Pleasure at Alphabet

Last show of the week for me with Solid Pleasure’s electro darkwave transforming Alphabet into underground clubland. The venue proved to be an impeccable sparring partner with its theatrical history and dimmed lighting, and the duo continue to polish their live shows with the swell of vocals drenched in reverb, and the introduction of occasional acidy synth hits, saving the purer dance tracks for the latter part of the set. Pretty perfect way to end 3 days of live music.