music, photography and more
James Blunt & Lucy Spraggan at Brighton Centre, 2nd April 2024
An abundance of singer-songwriter talent on stage at Brighton Centre last night as James Blunt paid a visit to the coast, with Lucy Spraggan taking the support slot. Mike Burnell was there to capture the sold out show, gallery below.
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 3rd April 2024
Kid Kapichi, Dumb Buoys Fishing Club & Dead Pony at Concorde 2, Brighton, 28th March 2024
Playing the first of two nights at Concorde 2, Kid Kapichi are firm favourites on the south coast (and increasingly everywhere else too to be fair) and their live performance never disappoints. Support last night came from the fine mix of Dumb Buoys Fishing Club and Dead Pony.
Gallery from Mike Burnell
Hosted by Joy Concerts
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 29th March 2024
Chalk & Lifts at Green Door Store, Brighton, 27th March 2024
So it seems that I’ve made a mistake in not seeing Chalk sooner, a mistake I won’t make again having seen first hand at Brighton’s Green Door last night just how ridiculously good they are live. For a three-piece, they make some serious noise, and their stage presence coupled with a heavy strobe makes the overall effect quite mesmeric, though still challenging and confrontational.
Repping the Belfast music scene with assured aplomb, I’m not sure I can acknowledge the post-punk label that seems to be thrown towards them from many corners, it’s really not a phrase that means much any more, and this is a band who definitely mean something. If they have to sit under an umbrella it would maybe be a dark, industrial, techno umbrella, but maybe it doesn’t matter – just take a listen to the music and get to see them perform if you can.
A nod also to support act for the night, Lifts. When the stage is laid out with a violin, viola and sax among the usual guitar, keys and drums, you know something different is about to happen. Their experimental, alternately melancholy and full force rock offer makes Lifts an intriguing prospect – ones to watch without doubt.
Review and photos © Siobhan – 16beasleystphotography.com | Instagram
Published 28th March 2024
Liam Gallagher & John Squire at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, 25th March 2024
A marriage of musical minds, Liam Gallagher and John Squire have formed a Manchester collab that brings together the city’s high achievers from the 80s and 90s with newly penned songs and a string of exclusive live dates across the UK. Adam Hampton-Matthews went along to Kentish Town Forum to capture the show in pictures…
Liam Gallagher John Squire album and merch available here
Photos © Adam Hampton-Matthews – Website | Instagram
Published 26th March 2024
Sulka, Dutch Wine & Chris De Bear at Tolbooth, Stirling, 22nd March 2024
New: Noise hosts the very best of grassroots acts in Scotland at the Tolbooth in Stirling. Friday night saw a fine line-up with Sulka, Dutch Wine and Chris De Bear all performing. Gallery below from Alan Campbell.
Photos © Alan Campbell Photography
Published 26th March 2024
SON Estrella Galicia micro-festival at The Prince Albert, Brighton, 23rd March 2024
Bringing together beer, food and music seems like a pretty on-point pitch for a Saturday in Brighton, and a packed Prince Albert proved the theory correct.
The first of this series of micro-festivals outside London, the concept is the brainchild of Son Estrella Galicia, the cultural arm of the family-owned Spanish brewery that mixes a multi-sensory experience with consideration for sustainability – of the environment and also specifically of grass roots venues. With beer tasting in the afternoon and freshly made Mexican street food on offer from local gastronomers Carlito Burrito, there was plenty to enjoy throughout the day.
A significant part of the event was of course the music, with DJ sets downstairs in the bar from Kike Louie, Lee Petryszyn, and Henry WP keeping the atmosphere flowing until the evening opened up live music sets upstairs. First up, local psych/jazz ensemble Plantoid filled the stage with a melange of percussive instruments, guitars and vocals from Chloe Spence straight out of the Grace Slick school of melody. Then an astute booking for the headline slot, Panic Shack are already a welcome visitor to the Brighton circuit, their short, sharp punk-influenced songs and obvious camaraderie as a bunch of friends having fun giving a healthy antidote to the mainstream music industry’s typecasting of women in bands. With a set full of catchy hooks and their own take on voguing, Panic Shack are surely set to fill much bigger venues than this, but the chance to see them in one was quickly grabbed by those lucky enough to snap up tickets.
Hopefully, the success of the day will bring further events like this to Brighton, we’ll certainly be keeping our fingers crossed for more to come.
Son Estralla | Carlito Burrito
Review and photos © Siobhan – 16beasleystphotography.com
Bleachers at O2 Forum Kentish Town, London, 20th March 2024
Producer to the stars, Jack Antonoff showed that mayhem-filled performance still firmly holds a place in his heart as he hit the stage with his Bleachers bandmates at Kentish Town Forum on Wednesday. Adam Hampton-Matthews was there to capture the fun – gallery below…
Photos © Adam Hampton-Matthews – Website | Instagram
Published 22nd March 2024
Bill Ryder-Jones at Chalk, Brighton, 19th March 2024
With his ever-growing collection of songs full of heartache and hope, Bill Ryder-Jones is back out on tour across the UK and Europe. An always understated performance, his ability to connect with the crowd through the simplicity of occasional chat and beautiful tunes is something that he excels at.
Last night’s show at Brighton’s Chalk offered up a mix of songs old and new, tracks from latest album Iechyd Da comfortably rubbing shoulders with the old favourites. This was highlighted by renditions of both A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart (2013) and A Bad Wind Blows in My Heart part 3 (2024), noting the full circle journey these reflect. Wild Swans and Wild Roses appeared back to back, and the band stepped into the shadows for a mid-set solo acoustic rendition of Seabirds. In contrast to the intensity of the music, there was an unexpected impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger and a Hendrix-esque riff to follow a quick tune-up on the guitar.
The show closed with This Can’t Go On, lead single from Iechyd Da, testament to how far Ryder-Jones has come since co-founding indie favourites The Coral back in the mid 90s. Singer-songwriter, musician, producer and film score composer… West Kirby should be proud.
Further dates announced for this year and links to buy Iechyd Da in the format of your choice can be found here
Review/photos by Callum
Published 21st March 2024
The Smile & James Holden at Brighton Centre, 18th March 2024
Touring with their highly acclaimed second studio album Wall of Eyes, The Smile gave an impressive performance at Brighton Centre last night. Support came from electronic virtuoso James Holden. Mike Burnell was there to capture the night in pictures, gallery below.
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 19th March 2024
Creeper, Naut & Zetra at Chalk, Brighton, 16th March 2024
Touring with their latest album Sanguivore, Creeper brought their inimitable brand of horror-rock to Brighton last night, a heady mix of music and theatre ensuing. Support came from Naut and Petra – gallery from Mike Burnell below.
Hosted by Lout Promotions
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 17th March 2024
RØRY, Uninvited & Lleo at Concorde 2, Brighton, 11th March 2024
Big turn out for a fun night with pop-punk singer-songwriter RØRY on the last night of the Family Drama tour at Brighton’s Concorde 2 – support came from Uninvited and Lleo. Mike Burnell was there to capture the night in pictures…
Hosted by Joy Concerts
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 12th March 2024
Lime Garden, Ugly & Ladylike at Chalk, Brighton, 8th March 2024
Last night saw Lime Garden playing a hometown show to end their tour at Brighton‘s Chalk. Always a popular booking, the band were ably supported by Ugly and Ladylike.
Gallery from Mike Burnell
Hosted by Love Thy Neighbour
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 8th March 2024
SON Estrella Galicia at The Prince Albert, Brighton, 23rd March 2024
Following successful events across London, SON Estrella Galicia (the music/events arm of the independent family owned Spanish beer brand) are heading to the coast for a day full of good music, good beer and good food. A micro-festival with a sustainable twist, the evening promises ‘Live Music, DJs, Beer Culture, Gastronomy and positive impact’. Alongside beer tasting from the premium Spanish brand, there will be beer pairing recommendations with local Mexican street foodies Carlito Burrito, and collaborations with Leave No Trace, WE and a community beach clean up to produce a statement mural in the Prince Albert Hall. The message reflects the battle for sustainability faced by local, independent venues, and there’s never been a better time to support your local music scene in holding their ground. This feels especially timely as The Albert has been one of several Brighton pub with live rooms recently to face threat from applications to convert neighbouring buildings to housing or holiday lets. There have been too many venues across the UK closed following unsubstantiated noise complaints from new buyers moving into established urban areas, and it seems to be a constant fight to stop this happening again.
The event on 23rd March also plays host to Cardiff’s punks with the best sequential dance moves Panic Shack, who will doubtless receive a very warm welcome back to the seaside, and a heady mix of genres spanning jazz, psych, folk and rock from Brighton’s own Plantoid. Add in DJ sets from Kike Louie, Lee Petryszyn and Henry WP, and you have all the makings of a night to remember. Check back for any late ticket availability here.
Preview by Siobhan
Published 8th March 2024
Fever Ray at Hammersmith Apollo, 2nd March 2024
A full scale stage show from Fever Ray on Saturday, as they brought their unique brand of avant garde pop to London. Adam Hampton-Matthews went along to capture the grandeur on camera – gallery below.
Photos © Adam Hampton-Matthews – Website | Instagram
Published 4th March 2024
Live – Yard Act at Pryzm Kingston (for Banquet Records), 29th February 2024
Band and fans alike headed to Pryzm in Kingston on Thursday to celebrate the release of Yard Act‘s new album Where’s My Utopia? If you missed the show, there are tour dates across the UK and Europe starting from 13th March.
Hosted by Banquet Records
Gallery from Adam Hampton-Matthews
Photos © Adam Hampton-Matthews – Website | Instagram
Published 2nd March 2024
FIZZ & Maya Delilah at Chalk, Brighton, 29th February 2024
Bringing the party to Brighton’s Chalk, indie-pop outfit FIZZ entertained the sold out crowd with songs from their acclaimed debut album The Secret to Life last night – support came from talented singer-songwriter Maya Delilah. Gallery from Mike Burnell below.
Meryl Streek & Polite Bureaux at Green Door Store, Brighton, 28th February 2024
There are definite peaks and troughs in trends of new music, and phases where it feels like things are coasting and a little safe. Not to knock that for those looking for familiarity, but it genuinely warms my heart to see some of the newer acts coming through that dare to be different and produce material they believe in, rather than what they know will be accepted en masse. Last night’s gig at Green Door paid testament to that in style.
Opening act, Brighton based Polite Bureaux should be well up on your to see list if you haven’t done so yet. With an album release pending, there are new tracks added to their set which surely cement their progress towards a bigger audience. This is not the mass produced Everyone-sounds-like-The-Fall spoken word so widely available, it’s skillful wordplay with pulsing drum beats and synth/bass riffs that bounce through the room. Really looking forward to seeing what’s next.
Headlining the evening, Dublin’s Meryl Streek provides up close and personal effrontery with lyrics that take direct aim at the Irish government and the Catholic Church amongst others. Judging by the current den of political incompetency, it seems little coincidence that running the country and ruining the country are only one letter apart, and Meryl Streek is here to challenge that with no holds barred.
Barely a second standing still, his performance is confrontational and engaging in equal measures, hints of grime and trip-hop providing the perfect musical backdrop to the tirade of spoken stories heading across the crowd. The set goes by too fast and again, comes highly recommended.
An excellent night, make no mistake that punk is back knocking your door down, but this time it wants you to dance. Give thanks for that.
Words and photos © Siobhan – 16 Beasley St Photography
Published 29th February 2024
JOHN & Fräulein at Concorde 2, Brighton, 23rd February 2024
Unassuming by name, but a force to be reckoned with on stage, JOHN put on a great show at Brighton’s Concorde 2 last night. Support came from the always excellent Fräulein.
Gallery by Mike Burnell
Hosted by FORM
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 24th February 2024
You Me At Six, The XCERTS & HEIGHTS at Concorde 2, Brighton, 19th February 2024
In a special show for War Child as part of BRITs Week, You Me At Six took the headline slot at Brighton’s Concorde 2 on Monday, with support from The XCERTS and HEIGHTS. Mike Burnell caught the show and the pictures below…
Photos © Mike Burnell (iso400.com)
Published 21st February 2024
You Me At Six | Deaf Havana | Call Me Amour at Portsmouth Guildhall
As long-time fans grab what may be their last chance to see You Me At Six before they head their separate ways next year, we have not one but two glimpses into the current live dates for you. First up, Hannah Mesquitta went along to capture their Portsmouth show on Sunday, and check back in later for another day, another venue. Gallery below with support from Deaf Havana and Call Me Amour.
Photos © Hannah Mesquitta
Published 21st February 2024
Breaking Glass Magazine 