“The diversity of the line ups was exceptional … we are privileged and lucky we are to be faced with those choices!” — Brighton Source on Mutations 2024 (brightonsource.co.uk)
High-voltage creativity, genre-blurring line-ups and an atmosphere of discovery…that’s what is promised by Brighton’s Mutations Festival 2025. So mark your calendars… because the much-loved event is back in Brighton on 7-8 November 2025, bringing together more than 90 artists across nine of the city’s most beloved grassroots venues.
What’s New & Who’s Headlining
This year’s edition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet. The headliners alone speak volumes:
- Dry Cleaning headline Friday, and the South London post-punk quartet who are known for their dry, deadpan lyrics, sharp guitar work and cutting songs will no doubt be a highlight of the whole weekend…for those lucky enough to get in to see them.
- Lambrini Girls, Brighton’s very own punk powerhouse will close the festival on Saturday. Their a meteoric rise over the past few years is warranted. Expect chaotic, electrifying live energy which is not just performance—it’s collective catharsis.
Alongside these rising legends, the 2025 line-up is packed with acts you may not yet have heard or seen live, but whose momentum is undeniable:
Big Special offer up post-punk poetry with attitude, Bdrmm will delight you with their lush, shoegazy soundscapes and moments of deep resonance, and Divorce mix alt-country twang with unexpectedly accessible melody and grit.
Rising noise, punk, art rock and more is to be found around every corner from the likes of DITZ, VLURE, Hotline TNT and many others.
With nine venues in play—CHALK, Patterns, Green Door Store, The Hope & Ruin, among others—it’s going to be a full weekend of hopping from one discovery to the next.
Looking Back on 2024:
Reviews from last year make it clear that this isn’t a festival where you just go for the headliners—it’s about the journey of discovery along the way.
- Brighton Source, reflecting on Mutations 2024, said: “The diversity of the line ups was exceptional, from London hip hop to Irish punk via jazz and fusion… Yes there are some gut wrenching clashes in the programming, but how privileged and lucky we are to be faced with those choices!” (brightonsource.co.uk)
- And Clunk praised the way the festival “provided a fantastic tour of Brighton’s grassroots venues and nightlife, with Friday spanning five locations whilst Saturday was spread across nine.” (Clunk Magazine)
Why You Must Not Miss Mutations 2025
Here’s what makes Mutations Festival special and why it’s one of the most anticipated music events in Brighton this autumn:
- An Eclectic Range & Bold Curation. From punk to shoegaze, jazz to experimental electronica, Mutations doesn’t play to one audience—it plays to many, often simultaneously. That means there are those “gut-wrenching clashes” and yes, you might have to choose between two acts—but that tension is part of the thrill. (brightonsource.co.uk)
- Supporting Grassroots Venues. More than just spaces, the venues themselves are part of the DNA. CHALK, Patterns, The Hope & Ruin, Green Door Store, Folklore Rooms, Alphabet etc., all play host in 2025, keeping the festival grounded in the local community and giving fans the chance to experience those intimate shows. (Breaking Glass Magazine)
- A voyage of Discovery & Surprise. One of the reviews last year said: “what a treat to be at an event that finds a space for spiritual heavy jazz and punk on the same bill.” (brightonsource.co.uk) That unexpected mix is what people keep talking about: you go thinking you know what you like—you leave with new favourites.
- Packed with Live Energy & Atmosphere. Mutations doesn’t just book names; it builds moments. The energy of a packed room, the joy of moving between venues, the sheer feeling of community—you get all that. Review phrases that jumped out from 2024 included “life-affirming” performances and “intoxicating brews” of sound and atmosphere. (brightonsource.co.uk)
What, where, when, etc…
- When & where: 7-8 November 2025, across nine grassroots venues in Brighton.
- Tickets: Resident Records, Dice and directly via the festival’s website.
- Pace yourself: With so many acts in small venues, there’s always a lot packed into your ticket. Moving between shows, catching new names, late night sets—it’s all part of the experience. Plan carefully, pace yourself, and bring your stamina.
If you’re someone who loves to fill their weekend not just with big festival stages but with little epiphanies—those moments when you discover a band that reminds you why live music matters—Mutations Festival 2025 is built for you.
