Category: Live Music

Hidden Herd All-Dayer at The Green Door Store, Brighton, 1st March 2025

With the sun shining for the first time in a long time, and a stack of talented acts on the line-up, Hidden Herd presented an all day event that perfectly reflects the importance and ethos of local grassroots venues and the platform they offer to emerging artists, along with an opportunity to see those more established playing in an intimate setting.

First up at Green Door on Saturday were Triple Drain, their ‘goth sludge’ tunes making an impact that proved worthy of an early arrival. The opening slot is never an easy one but the trio gave a strong performance, with nods to the likes of The Banshees and The Slits.

With an unapologetic step into the world of pop-punk, crysometimes continued to warm things up with audience participation and a late set singing slot knelt on the cobbles of the venue floor – dedication to the cause because, believe me, that floor is cold!

And then perhaps one of the most talked about slots of the day from Francis Pig. This was very much a visual as well as musical display, and I felt their confidence had grown since last seeing them along with the quality of the set. Last time if I’m honest, I wasn’t sure – this time they left me suitably impressed, and I clearly wasn’t alone in that.

Triple Drain

crysometimes

Francis Pig

Another act gaining a buzz around them, lots of interest in Cordelia Gartside amongst the gig-goers both before and after they played. With captivating vocals and tight support from the band, their music is a beguiling mix of fragile and hard-hitting, and leaves a little bit of intrigue behind.

Next, Room Service brought lots of energy to their pop/rock offering and segued things nicely into the evening section.

Switching out the genres again, an impressive helping of soul-fuelled rock from Car Boot Sale took the pace up a level. Great to see a band that looks like they’re having fun and has the venue bouncing along with a party atmosphere and some solid tunes in their repertoire.

Cordelia Gartside

Room Service

Car Boot Sale

And so, to the final three acts of the day – Porchlight gave an animated, angular performance, keeping energy levels high. If you’re a fan of the likes of Keg and Duds, you’ll likely find the direction they’re heading is right up your street.

Next up, the formidable DSM IV. At times intense, humorous and the best possible version of unhinged, the trio have mastered the art of syncing  chaos into order, their accomplished elctro-dance-punk riffs the perfect backdrop to an immersive journey for the crowd as the venue transports into their own little piece of late night clubland. A lot of fun underlying just how good they are.

No better way to follow on than with another foray into darklands club utopia with two-piece Baba Ali. Heavy dance synth beats and fuzzy guitar combine to make theirs a hypnotic and potent production. What an ending to an all round excellent day.

Porchlight

The DSM IV

Baba Ali

Words and photos © Siobhan 16beasleystphotography.com | Instagram: 16beasleyst

Published 6th March 2025

Cordelia Gartside, Ashaine White & Rottweiler at The Prince Albert, Brighton, 19th February 2025

A truly multifarious assortment of acts at The Prince Albert in Brighton on Thursday – something for everyone, or maybe in this case everything for everyone, as all three acts impressed and received a warm reception from the crowd.

First up, Rottweiler are making waves with their take on grunge mixed with splashes of punk and pop and a performance that lives up to their name. Energy by the truck-load and some lipstick smearing that Robert Smith would be proud of set a frenetic starting pace for the evening.

A change of mood as Ashaine White took to the stage with a collection of soulful rock love songs, and chats about beef mince and parking tickets. Sometimes simplicity is the key, and Ashaine’s stripped back set was captivating and engaging.

Last up, Cordelia Gartside’s self-described creep rock brought ethereal vocals and a collection of songs that felt at times vulnerable, before heavier crescendos kicked through. Accomplished and compelling, this was an excellent way to close the show and a night full of musical twists and turns.

Hosted by Hidden Herd

Rottweiler

Ashaine White

Cordelia Gartside

Words and photos © Siobhan 16beasleystphotography.com | Instagram: 16beasleyst

Published 24th February 2025

heavy wild | alphabet | Quaking Aspens | WEAKDAY at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton, 12th February 2025

Lots of reminiscing across this showcase of four acts all taking inspiration from past genres and adding their own spin. With a strong start from locals WEAKDAY, there are echoes of the White Lies/Editors school of production but mixed at alternate turns with a heavier dance bass and gentler melodies. I’d expect to see them moving up from the opening slot pretty rapidly; definitely worth keeping an eye out for.

A change of pace with Quaking Aspens, leaning more towards the dream- pop era, their sound is layered up with folk vocals and jangling guitars. If that’s your cup of herbal tea, they play in Brighton again on 22nd April at The Prince Albert.

The third act of the evening is alphabet – no escaping the nod to the rhythmic and atmospheric bass-line of The Cure, the multi-vocals introduce interest and a decent amount of intrigue as their set twists and slides along. Previously based in Brighton, now in London, I’m sure they’ll be welcomed back to the coast any time.

Headliners for the show are heavy wild. Many years ago I used to go a goth/alternative night at a club in Portsmouth, weirdly located half way up a multi-storey car park – heavy wild would have fitted right in there, and it was a positive reminder of those heady nights. With hints of the Mary Chain, Sisters of Mercy and Joy Division, the band offer up a powerful set and their understated performance belies how tightly knit their playing is. Another one to look out for, and a great way to end proceedings.

Hosted by Hidden Herd

WEAKDAY

Quaking Aspens

alphabet

heavy wild

Words and photos © Siobhan 16beasleystphotography.com | Instagram: 16beasleyst

Published 16th February 2025

Cucamaras | Shady Baby | Wonderbug | M. Woodroe at The Hope & Ruin

With more local talent on display in the shape of Shady Baby and M. Woodroe, an overly long but appreciated trip from London for Wonderbug, and Cucamaras repping Nottingham, last week saw all four acts play at Brighton’s Hope & Ruin for the latest Hidden Herd line-up. 

Steadily building their presence on the local scene, M. Woodroe pit delicate vocals and occasional screams against dark instrumental backing. It feels as though their sound is still developing and it will be interesting to see where it leads. For those in the area, there is a pending gig at The Bee’s Mouth in Hove this Thursday (6th Feb).

With grunge infused indie tunes filling the stage, Wonderbug gave a great performance with multi-vocals and a hint of Republica with added intensity. Again, some more local dates on the cards as the band play Havana Club in Chichester on Thursday (6th Feb) and The Prince Albert in Brighton  on Friday (7th Feb). These are followed by visits on the rest of their current tour to Bournemouth, Oxford, Reading, Exeter, Bristol and Swansea.

Shady Baby were up next, their indie-garage sound becoming more cohesive over time. Recent single Held In reflects a nod towards the 90s, a punchy Mary Chain without the feedback comes to mind. Heading stateside next for New Colossus festival in New York, keep an eye out for further UK dates to come.

Headliners Cucamaras are riding pretty high right now with a wave of impressive live reviews and new music to boot. They took no prisoners with their set, jumping straight in with bags of energy, and always nice to see a band that looks like they’re enjoying every second. A punk/new wave leaning and attitude kept the crowd happy until closing time. Cucamaras’ new single Laughing is out now (taken from forthcoming EP of the same name due to land in May).

A packed venue from early till late is always a strong indicator of a good night, and this one certainly delivered.

M. Woodroe

Wonderbug

Shady Baby

Cucamaras

Words and photos © Siobhan 16beasleystphotography.com

Published 31st January 2025

Catbandcat, Freddie J Watts and the Hot Rocks & Le Lamb at The Prince Albert, Brighton, 9th January 2025

It’s good to be back out in the land of live music after the holidays and, if you’re in the Brighton area, the Hidden Herd showcases are always a safe bet to find a strongly selected mix of emerging artists. Thursday at The Prince Albert was no exception, with three acts who all gave us a solid performance along with the music.

First up, theatrics, cowboy hats and a songster in sheep’s clothing came in the form of Le Lamb. Musically resonant of Portishead and PJ Harvey, it was a powerful set rather than a gimmick; none the less the crowd were content to ‘bah’ back to the stage on cue and there were numerous conversations overheard from people planning to see them again. Keep an eye out for pending dates if you want to join the flock.

The middle slot was taken by Freddie J Watts and the Hot Rocks, and it could prove difficult to advise the genre as there were elements of so many musical influences cleverly mixed. On first appearances, we were heading down a psyched up country lane but there were other layers too. The recurring intro riff across multiple songs echoed The Temptations’ My Girl and the inclusion of a sax is always welcome. Let’s go with melancholic spoken-word spaghetti western and see how things progress…

Headliners for the night were Catbandcat and, once again, the tempo and style switched up. The clearing of the drum kit made the stage immediately more spacious than seemed possible, the expanse easily filled with an array of keys, violin, acoustic and electric guitar and accordion. Split vocals and segues between distortion and almost orchestral intensity made for an intriguing close to proceedings.

Hosted by Hidden Herd & Crafting Room Recordings
Gallery from all three sets below

Le Lamb

Freddie J Watts and the Hot Rocks

Catbandcat

Words and photos © Siobhan 16beasleystphotography.com

Published 11th January 2025