Live – The DSM IV | Francis Pig | Jonny Couch | Solid Pleasure at Daltons

The DSM IV, Francis Pig, Johnny Couch & Solid Pleasure at Daltons, Brighton, 16th August 2026

Sunday night at Daltons brought together four artists for a strong line-up including two of Brighton’s own rising stars. First up, reverb-heavy duo Solid Pleasure were sounding increasingly polished – there’s still plenty of shadowy, off-kilter energy in the mix, but the songs and shows are becoming more and more assured. Meanwhile, Francis Pig delivered another unfiltered, confrontational performance that felt part punk gig, part performance art – impossible to ignore and delightfully unpredictable. Sandwiched between them, New York’s Jonny Couch and his band brought a dose of indie rock across the Atlantic, before headliners The DSM IV rounded things off with killer hooks, a set packed with catchy riffs, infectious energy and a playful sense of chaos. While there’s plenty of fun to be had at their shows, underneath it all are some seriously accomplished musicians.

And then there’s Daltons itself. One of Brighton’s newer venues, it already feels like a place that understands what a good music space should be: welcoming, inclusive and somewhere people can simply be themselves. The staff are lovely, the atmosphere is relaxed and there’s a genuine sense of community around the place. At a time when grassroots venues are continuing to close down, it’s brilliant to see somewhere like this springing up and creating space for artists, audiences and a little bit of glorious musical subversion.

Solid Pleasure