Twenty years in, and The Great Escape still feels like a window into the future of live music. Words and pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey From 13–16 May, Brighton once again transformed into the world’s biggest new music playground as over 450 artists descended on the city for the landmark 20th edition of the festival. Originally…
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Words and video by John Bownas, Photos by Sara-Louise Bowrey PHOTO GALLERIES 3 Daft Monkeys – A Certain Ratio – Anarchistwood – Au Pairs – Bad Nerves – BCUC – Beans on Toast – Big Special – Chalk – CMAT – EMF – Everything Everything – Fat Dog – Ferocious Dog – GANS – Garbage…
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The BBC recently heralded Getdown Services as “possibly the best band/musicians to come out of Minehead.” It’s a bold claim, though a quick look at the Somerset coastal town’s musical exports reveals their fiercest competition mainly consists of esteemed 20th-century cathedral organists like Peter Hurford and John Langdon (or perhaps local pub-rock veterans, Rough Justice). Still, taking the crown as Minehead’s…
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Words by Nick Linzasoro, Photos by Sara-Louise Bowrey It’s been quite some time since I’ve visited the compact gem that is The Folklore Rooms, which is centrally located a stone’s throw from Brighton’s Main Clocktower. I find myself here in order to check out a live rendition of tracks from the debut long player by…
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LIME GARDEN + HOTWAX + LONNIE GUNN + MAGDA (1999) – Green Door Store, BRIGHTON 19 April 2026 Words: Peter Greenfield, Photos: Sara-Louise Bowrey Brighton’s Green Door Store threw its first ever outdoor party like it had been waiting all winter for the excuse. The Trafalgar Arches turned into a sun‑drenched mini‑festival: cold drinks sweating…
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Nova Twins + BEX + Venus Grrrls, Chalk Brighton, Friday 13 March 2026 Words: PETER GREENFIELD, Pictures: SARA-LOUISE BOWREY Nova Twins launched the opening night of their 2026 UK and EU tour in support of their new album ‘Parasites & Butterflies’ in Brighton. The London duo of Amy Love and Georgia South have built a…
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Brighton’s Chalk got the full‑blast treatment as HotWax wrapped up the UK leg of their UK/EU tour on home‑turf. Words: Peter Greenfield, Pics: (from the London leg of the tour) Sara-Louise Bowrey HotWax HotWax closed out the UK leg of their 22 date UK/EU tour in support of their acclaimed debut album, “Hot Shock” with…
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Camden Underworld, Thursday 5th February 2026 (words and pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey) Camden Underworld is the kind of venue that doesn’t let you stay passive. It’s a room that demands sweat, noise, and something real happening right in front of you. On a cold Thursday night in January, it got exactly that. HotWax’s biggest London…
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Green Door Store Continues Birthday Festivities with Another Standout Night Celebrations for the Green Door Store’s 15th birthday rolled on with a second free showcase, this time bringing three acts that spanned warmth, atmosphere and full‑throttle intensity. Little Grandad eased the room in with their tender indie‑Americana, Goodbye expanded the space with immersive vocal soundscapes,…
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Brighton’s beloved Green Door Store marked its 15th birthday with the first of four free celebratory events. Three acts, three completely different energies: the introspective grit of Lonnie Gunn, the jagged dance indie chaos of Lemonsuckr, and the shadow-soaked experimentalism of Silver Gore. [Words Peter Greenfield, Photos, Sara-Louise Bowrey, Video, John Bownas] Lonnie Gunn New…
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A night capturing the future of British alternative Words and Pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey The Brighton Centre has seen more than its share of landmark shows, but this one carried a particular charge. With Imogen and the Knife stepping confidently into the support slot and the rapidly rising The Last Dinner Party headlining, it felt…
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Multiple Venues, Brighton Words by Sara-Louise Bowrey with some by Peter Greenfoeld, all pics by Sara… Brighton’s Mutations Festival returned in 2025 with two days of thrilling unpredictability — a wild, city-wide circuit of punk, noise, experimental catharsis, and quiet, introspective gems. Its real magic lies in the contrast: hushed, intimate moments in one venue,…
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Friday 28 November** words and pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey A Night of Pure, Unhinged Joy Snapped Ankles didn’t just play The Piper on Friday night — they lit the place up from the moment they emerged in their trademark woodland get-ups. One second the room was buzzing with anticipation, the next it was a sweaty,…
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With only 25% of tickets left and installment plans available to soften the financial blow (your bank account can stop hyperventilating now), Truck Festival has a frankly outrageous set of artists lined up for 23–26 July 2026. If you needed an excuse to escape to Hill Farm next summer, consider this your cosmic sign. The…
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Two consecutive nights in London and Brighton revealed Gary Numan at his most intense, most vulnerable, and most deeply connected to his audience. The Telekon 45th anniversary tour was always expected to carry weight — but with the loss of his younger brother only days ago, these shows became something more. There were moments when…
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Here’s a feral, loud-eyed, slightly-unhinged review of the new PWEI album — loose, human, with typical PWEI energy. I’ve tried to let it breathe, snarl and punch as close to the band’s spirit as I can manage, adding a little swagger and sneer for good measure. Author: John Bownas PWEI’s Delete Everything: Smash the Reset,…
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Brighton’s Chalk hosted two of the UK’s most inventive acts: Mercury Prize winners English Teacher, fusing art‑rock intensity with poetic lyricism, and The Orielles, blending indie rock with disco grooves and cosmic textures. Together they brought sonic brightness to a dimly lit Chalk stage, balancing invention with emotion and showcasing confident evolution. Words: Peter Greenfield.…
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The mark of a truly great support act is when they feel less like a booking agent’s afterthought and more like a carefully selected running mate. Birmingham’s two-piece powerhouse GANS (Euan Woodman and Tom Rhodes) felt utterly essential to the night’s proceedings at the Electric Ballroom, injecting a vital, abrasive energy that perfectly primed the…
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Big Reference and Aircooled support a sweat-drenched, one-night eruption presented by Hastings Fat Tuesday Words and pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey A One-Off Built for Chaos — and Hastings Got the Call Hastings was handed a rare and riotous privilege: Babyshambles’ first live show in 11 years. The battleground was the White Rock Theatre Studio —…
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Chalk Venue, Brighton 24/10/25 – words and pictures by Sara-Louise Bowrey Gogol Bordello + Puzzled Panther + Split Dogs Live at Chalk, Brighton — Friday Night Anarchy Brighton’s Chalk felt less like a music venue and more like a pressure cooker set to “high energy” on Friday night, playing host to a triple-shot of glorious…
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BLOC PARTY + EVERYTHING EVERYTHING + ENGLISH TEACHER + MYSTERY JETS + LIZ LAWRENCE + FEET + MARTIAL ARTS – BRIGHTON BEACH 20.7.25 http://www.onthebeachbrighton.com Words: Peter Greenfield / Pics: Sara-Louise Bowrey Bloc Party https://www.facebook.com/blocpartyofficial There was genuine excitement in the packed crowd as they awaited the arrival of Bloc Party for their headline set, where…
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That was sooooo damned hot! Having only just recovered from a scorchio Glastonbury, the intense heat of 2000Trees really took our breath away… but who’s complaining… we’d much rather shelter from the sun than the rain. And anyway, with so many bands truly on fire at the festival it was always going to be an…
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Sooo many great photos to come… but we just wanted to share this tiny taster of at hot hot hot Friday at 2025’s 2000Trees…
Just a small selection of photos from Thursday’s action at 2000Trees Festival – full review and comprehensive band-by band gallery incoming later…
The Glastonbury Green Crafts Village offered those who wanted an escape from the music a diverse and engaging array of activities, providing a unique opportunity to learn traditional crafts and skills. Here’s just some of the various workshops and experiences that were available: Woodwork and stone carving are always popular, and anyone wanting to explore…
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So, Glastonbury Festival 2025… what a marathon! Two people, two cameras, and four very tired legs. Most photos here by @sara-louise bowrey …feel free to share images but please do tag her. We had a plan… but at Glastonbury plans never seem to last very long. And as a result, we missed at least one…
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The sun beat down (but gently) through a mix of cloudy and clear skies onto a relatively dust-free Glastonbury Festival site as the gates opened for 2025 and tens of thousands of guests poured into the site to get prime camping pitches and begin the acclimatization process required to shift from life outside the fence…
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As the sun shines down the rolling hills of Worthy Farm, a big crowd gathers at the Croissant Neuf bandstand to witness ROZSA. She’s not a typical festival musician; in a landscape often defined by guitar riffs and drum solos, ROZSA enters with a distinct, almost otherworldly presence, wielding an electric harp as her weapon…
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When we get asked about our favourite festivals (which happens a LOT), Bearded Theory always ranks towards the top of the list. And why’s that? Well, in a nutshell, it’s brave enough to be the first big outdoor festival of the season, and that means it not only kicks off the year’s festival field festivities,…
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Bearded Theory Festival 2025 is a celebrated event in the UK festival scene, known for its independent spirit, inclusivity, and diverse musical offerings. Reviews highlight the vibrant atmosphere and quality performances, including Iggy Pop’s acclaimed set. The festival distinguishes itself with favorable policies allowing attendees to bring their own food and drinks. It successfully fosters a sense of community among varied attendees, making it a standout kickoff for the festival season, characterized by lasting memories and seamless organization.
No matter how hard you try it’s impossible to stay on top of new music these days. And that’s why festivals remain important, relevant, and critical to the process of putting new bands in front of (admittedly increasingly older) audiences. Bearded Theory always delivers the goods when it comes to a line-up that celebrates the…
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Check out the Saturday action from Takedown Festival 2025 through the lens of Sara-Louise Bowrey… Takedown – back up and firing on all cylinders after a year off… After a year off, Takedown Festival came back with a vengeance — and trust me, it was so worth the wait. Taking over Portsmouth Guildhall for two…
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It’s an early-doors start at The Forum tonight, but this Sunday session is a sell-out…and that’s not surprising, because headliners HotWax are the current darlings of the indie/grunge/rock circuit – and for good reason. Today isn’t just a celebration of their music and rise to (almost) household name status, it’s also bass player Lola Sam’s…
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English Teacher: A Post-Punk Powerhouse English Teacher are a rising force in the indie rock scene. Their story begins in Leeds, where they formed while attending university. Their music is a potent blend of post-punk, new wave, and krautrock, characterized by driving rhythms, angular guitars, and the captivating vocals of Lily Fant. English Teacher’s sound…
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Both Babybird and their support act, The Sammy Vincent Band* (*working title) are a drummer down tonight at Dust in Brighton. Each for different reasons, and each with a different coping strategy. Sammy Vincent take the approach of stripping back to a more acoustic version of their otherwise rock-driven, folk-tinged, post-punk-grunge selves. Babybird on the…
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Gurriers is a high-energy Irish rock band from Dublin, known for their explosive live performances that fuse punk, indie, and folk influences. Praised for their emotional intensity and captivating stage presence, they blend driving guitars with traditional Irish music elements, attracting a devoted fanbase in Ireland and beyond.
Curtis Harding is a soul singer with a voice that could melt glaciers. Think classic Motown with a modern, gritty edge. His music draws heavily from the golden age of soul, funk, and R&B, but he infuses it with a contemporary sensibility, creating a sound that is both timeless and fresh. Harding’s music is characterized…
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Camera Obscura are a Scottish indie pop band whose music is a delightful blend of jangly guitars, infectious melodies, and Tracyanne Campbell’s distinctive, breathy vocals. Their songs often evoke a nostalgic feeling, with lyrics that capture the bittersweet moments of everyday life, from first loves and heartbreak to the joys of friendship and the passage…
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CMAT, aka Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, is a breath of fresh air in the often-predictable world of pop music. Hailing from Ireland, she burst onto the scene with a unique blend of country, pop, and rock, infused with a healthy dose of Irish wit and a healthy disregard for convention. Her music is a wild ride,…
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Billy Woods is one of the most unique and critically acclaimed rappers working today.His music is raw, introspective, and deeply rooted in social and political commentary. He’s known for his dense, abstract lyrics, often delivered in a monotone voice that belies the intensity of his message. Woods’s lyrics tackle heavy subjects like systemic racism, poverty,…
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