THE GUIDE
TO BRIGHTON & HOVE
BN1 MAGAZINE | AUG 2017
: s t a t i Hab rsive An imme n by exhibitio llow Marshma st Laser Fea
PETER HOOK . STEVE MAC . THE MAGNECTIC FIELDS BERLIN . LAURA PETERSON . THE LOST WORLD
www.brightontaxis.com YOUR LOCAL 24 HOUR TAXI SERVICE
EDITOR'S MESSAGE: A few people still persist in asking: ‘Why do we need a Pride event?’ The answer might be closer than they freely admit. It’s evident both in their own hearts and many other’s words and actions. It’s a brief 50 years since Britain decriminalised homosexuality, a mere lifetime for many. Although no longer imprisoning people due to unfortunate circumstances, revelations or insinuations, our society still has a big problem with some people living a life free of shame. Homophobic and transphobic attacks remain on the rise, whilst outdated terms like ‘tolerance’ and ‘acceptance’ are still used when referring to the LGBTQ+ comment. The last half century has seen a social revolution, but there’s still a long road to travel. The battles may continue, but this is a war for inclusivity which will be won - not through violence and hatred, but through love and pride.
BN1 MAGAZINE: BRIGHTON & HOVE'S LARGEST INDEPENDENT CULTURE GUIDE, SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES, THE ARTS AND EVENTS Want to be noticed by thousands of readers across Brighton & Hove? Promote your business or event in BN1 Magazine with a tailored campaign to suit all budgets through our print and digital strategies. Contact one of our team today: sales@bn1magazine.co.uk and request a media pack.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
WANT TO BECOME PART OF THE BN1 MAGAZINE TEAM OR SUBMIT ARTICLES AND IMAGES? Various roles and internships available for local writers, photographers, marketing, creative types and enthusiasts to join one of Brighton’s leading culture and events magazines! Just email your CV and a little about yourself to the office: info@bn1magazine.co.uk
EDITORIAL
Sub Editor - Henna Malik
DESIGN FRONT COVER MARKETING & SALES CONTRIBUTORS
06-08 NEWS 10 COMPETITIONS 12 COMPETITIONS 14 STEVE MAC INTERVIEW 16 HAÇIENDA CLASSICAL + PETER HOOK 17 THE LOST WORLD 18 LIVE MUSIC PLANNER 20 THE MAGNETIC FIELDS 22 CLUBBING PLANNER 24 TOMTECH - IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE 26 BERLIN BRIGHTON 28 THEATRE PLANNER 30 COMEDY PLANNER 32 FESTIVAL GUIDE 34 FAMILY DAYS OUT 36 LATEST CINEMA RELEASES 38 TV GUIDE 40 LATEST GAMING RELEASES 41 BLOCK REVIEW 42 PASCERE REVIEW 43 THE WALRUS REVIEW 46 QUICK CROSSWORD
BN1 Media & Simeon Aston Marshmallow Laser Feast - © Sandra Ciampone Henna Malik / sales@bn1magazine.co.uk Stuart Rolt, Henna Malik, Ellie Talebian, Kieran Graves, Simeon Aston, Becky Waldron,
AUGUST 2017 CONTENTS:
Editor - Chris Sadler, Editor - Stuart Rolt,
Holly Pearson, Ellie Woodhouse, Grace Pryor-billington,
PHOTOGRAPHERS SOCIAL MEDIA NEWSDESK/SALES
David Smith, Xavier Clarke, James Daly Ellie Talebian - ellie@bn1magazine.co.uk Tel. 01273 022 991 / sales@bn1magazine.co.uk
BN1 Magazine is proud to announce its ongoing support for the local community including official media partnerships and stage sponsorships with:
All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means, including the making of copies by any photo process or by any electronic or mechanical device (printed, written or oral), unless permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietor. All textual content, design graphics, images and specific photographs used in the magazine are Copyright © BN1 Media Ltd 2017. BN1 Magazine has taken every reasonable care to ensure the information contained within this periodical is accurate on the date of publication. It is advisable that you verify any information before relying upon it. BN1 Magazine accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any damage or loss suffered by users of the information, materials or third parties featured within this magazine.
SPONSORS: BIMM IS THE LARGEST AND LEADING PROVIDER OF CONTEMPORARY MUSIC EDUCATION IN EUROPE, WITH OVER 6,000 STUDENTS ENROLLED ACROSS SEVEN COLLEGES IN THREE COUNTRIES. BRIGHTON & HOVE BUSES SERVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF BUS PASSENGERS OUTSIDE OF LONDON. BUT IT’S NOT JUST A BUS OPERATOR – IT PRIDES ITSELF AT BEING AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY AND PLAYS A KEY PART IN HELPING THE CITY BE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY ONE.
P.04
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
NEWS
Brighton Thai Festival Sat 26 - Sun 27 Aug
www.magicofthailand.co.uk For the lucky ones, Thailand has already been ticked off the bucket list; they’ve been there, posted the photos and made everyone jealous in the process. But don’t worry, if you haven’t been able to venture to the Far East yet, Brighton, of course, has you covered. Welcome Brighton’s very own Thai festival! This fantastic event allows you to experience Thailand during a two-day festival this summer in Preston Park, brought to you by the Magic of Thailand. Returning for a fourth year, this is a wonderful weekend focused around gathering family and friends to get a taste of what Thai culture has to offer. Challenge your taste buds with world-class foods and discover flavours you’ve never experienced at the many stalls showcasing endless Thai produce. The weekend will be jam-packed full of extravagant entertainment, including traditional music, dancing, Muay Thai boxing and the world famous Ladyboy shows to ensure you have an authentic and vibrant time. However, those who have ventured there will tell you Thailand’s not all about the glitz and glam of their entertainment.
BRIGHTON THAI FESTIVAL Sat 26 - Sun 27 Aug Preston Park, Brighton Tickets: £4 Adults/Children under 12 go free.
Many travel to this distant land to experience their slower, more centred way of life. The festival will begin with a traditional food offering to the Buddhist monks, and in this way this special event will allow you to understand the culture within Thailand a little more — it’s not to be missed. Afterwards, you’ll be able to wander down and unwind with a traditional Thai massage, or similarly with a trip to the Thai beer garden. Why not expand your recipe book and head over to some live cooking demonstrations, where you’re sure to learn skills to impress the relatives next time they come to town. Whatever you do during this extraordinary event, just don’t forget the unmissable “I’m British, Get Me Out Of Here!” eating competition – watching or eating, it’s sure to be a laugh.
NEWS Image by © Sam Neill
THE PRUDENT
STUDENT Skint Festival of Racing www.brightonracecourse.co.uk
Wed 9 - Fri 11 Aug
Fancy a day at the races? The Festival of Racing is back offering you a fantastic and thrilling three-day event which includes the much desired Ladies Day and Checkatrade Festival finale. Crowds head to Brighton racecourse year after year for this amazing festival promising full days of racing, good food and fun. You’re sure to have a superb day out thanks to the unmissable entertainment, prizes and vintage bars, while enjoying an astonishing view of the vibrant city and surrounding countryside and South Downs - the best views in Brighton! The course is set high above the outskirts of the city, which The Telegraph voted ‘one of the best places to watch sport’ in the UK last year. You won’t believe it until you see it, so glam up and make your way there to enjoy the sensational atmosphere. Over the years the festival has grown enormously in popularity - probably due to its status as one of the friendliest racecourses in the UK, making it a great place to go if it’s your first time racing!
Sussex & The World Weekend Autumn Harvest Sat 26 – Mon 28 Aug
www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk
Enjoy the biggest food and drink festival the south of England has to offer, as it returns to Hove Lawns this summer, free to enter for all to adore. Showcased for you to taste and experience will be a variety of hot and cold foods from local restauranteurs and producers, plus an eclectic range of delicious local produce to buy and take home as well as locally produced wines from Ridgeview and Stopham vineyards, beers from The Beer Collective, plus beers made by Two Tribes to support festival charity FareShare Sussex. Also available will be summer cocktails from Blackdown Artisan Spirits, ciders from Eden and Wobblegate fruit juices. Guest exhibitors from across the south east and further afield will be joining for a day full of fun and full of food!
BRIGHTON BIG DOG www.brightonbigdog.com
Sun 13 Aug
Brighton Big Dog is a fantastic day of cycling in Stanmer Park, suitable for both beginners and those experienced in trail cycling. Created by a small group of friends in 2009, the Brighton Big Dog provides people with a love to ride and race mountain bikes (MTBs)with an event with a great community feel that gets to the very core of why people love to ride. Every year the race has sold out, and has been featured in the Guardian’s Top 5 cycle events, WhatMTB’s Top 10 ‘Must Ride’ events, not to mention Bike Magic’s Top 6 events, who said “it’s an event every mountain biker should do”. It has also recently been listed in the ‘The World’s Ultimate Cycle Races’ - one of the very few MTB entries. The highly praised day consists of one of the best MTB courses with challenging climbs and thrilling descents. Six hours later when it all comes to an end, riders are granted finish line beers and a beach party to celebrate!
We’re now halfway through the summer - how have June and July gone so quick? The gradation period has come and gone for our Brighton and Sussex graduates and left most with a feeling of ’now what?’ For the lucky ones who have already secured a graduate job: congrats, I’m not jealous at all! As for the rest, don’t panic, there’s still time - and as I like to say to my mother “I’m only young, jheez, we don’t have to have our lives sorted already!” Just enjoy the time left you have in our wonderful city, go to the beach and ‘crack open a cold one with the boys’. For those returning, the thought of going back to university to start a long year of being squeezed onto the dreaded 25 bus, struggling with those painful 9am starts is enough to make us curl up into a ball and cry. But slow down, we still have the best month to come. August is packed full of exciting events including Brighton’s Pride festival, which, no matter how hard you try, is sure to drain your bank account of all that hard earned cash from the summer job your mum made you get. So we might be back to living on beans on toast until the next student loan payment arrives in our bank accounts. No matter what you’re doing for the rest of the summer, make sure you end it with a bang because university work is a problem to think about later, and there’s nothing you can do now except relax and have fun. So take this time for yourself, because it won’t be long before you’re out in the real world and only get 28 days holiday. I repeat: 28 days. How are we suppose to go to all the festivals and gals holidays we want to with our new found salaries if we only get 28 days of holiday? Maybe a masters and a PhD aren’t such a bad idea after all.
P.06
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
NEWS Brighton Bike Share in association with Life Natural Spring Water is a Brighton & Hove City Council scheme that will launch in September 2017. The bikes are new Social Bicycles (“SoBi”) smartbikes.
"Brighton Bike Share fact file"
£1.80 per hour, based on 3p per minute Annual membership cost (Includes 1h use per day) £72 Cost of Scheme Estimated local council annual return £20,000 / £25,000
Brighton Bike Share Scheme www.brighton-hove.gov.uk
Brighton’s Bike Share scheme is being launched next month, giving city residents the chance to ease congestion and get fit in the process. A range of 450 smart bikes will be available to hire online and via an app. These can be picked up, and locked up, anywhere in the city or from the 50 docking stations at locations throughout central Brighton & Hove and to the universities. Ethical bottled water brand, Life Natural Spring Water, have also been announced as the £1.45 million scheme’s headline sponsor for the next three years. “The bike got a great reaction from the many people who had a ride and we’re very much looking forward to the bikes being on the streets,” said Gill Mitchell, lead member for environment and sustainability at Brighton & Hove City Council. Hiring the Social Bicycles, also known as SoBi smartbikes, for one hour will cost £1.80, charged at 3p per minute, or £72 per year. The annual cost includes one hour of bike use every day.
Immersive exhibition’s world premiere comes to The Old Market Tue 29 Aug – Sun 10 Sept
For two special weeks Hove’s The Old Market will be turned into a digital forest. Nature and technology will dramatically collide, in an incredible immersive experience by cutting-edge London creative studio Marshmallow Laser Feast, who return after their sell-out run of In The Eyes Of The Animal at the venue last year. Entitled Habitats, the show is composed of musical ‘trees’ made of steel rods and lasers which visitors can physically tap, shake, and pluck. Interacting with the trees causes them to swing and oscillate, creating vibrating patterns of light and sound. Each tree is tuned to a specific tone, creating harmonious sounds spatialised and played in surround sound. Marshmallow Laser Feast create ground-breaking experiences that immerse and amaze in completely unexpected ways. They employ a wealth of disciplines, from photo-realistic virtual reality to robotic performance and real-time mapping, pushing boundaries, redefining expectations and exciting audiences worldwide. (see more on page 24!)
Dear bus, HOW DO I use my phone to pay for the bus? To find the answer to this and any other questions you may have about student bus travel:
visit www.dearbus.co.uk
P.08
NEWS
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
Cheese Fest UK Sat 12 Aug
For the first time ever in Brighton, Cheese Fest UK comes to our doorstep. Victoria Gardens in the centre of Brighton will host a day of all things cheese as the iconic area is totally transformed for the cheesiest day around. Ticket holders will be offered some of the cheesiest cheeses in the world - melted Raclette, cheese wheels and gooey mozzarella sticks are just a few of the cheestastic tastes available for you to try. Cheese Fest showcases a huge variety of cheesy delights from the UK’s best cheese traders, whether you’re looking for traditional cheeses or halloumi fries and mac’n’cheese. You’ll also be able to learn about all types of cheeses and the best beers and wines to accompany them. Satisfy your love of cheese and allow yourself to melt into a day full of it!
Outdoor adventures for under-fives across Sussex
www.cheesefestuk.com
Tue 29 Aug – Sun 10 Sept
Sussex Wildlife Trust’s Nature Tots groups of outdoor family fun, building confidence and a love of the natural world in children aged three to five, return next month. Kids can explore woodland, meadows or coast with stories, games and woodcraft activities: From den building to nature art; making mud monsters with twig hair and leaf teeth, there is something for everyone. They will find out all about their local wildlife and how to care for it with hands-on activities such as pond dipping, bug hunting and making bird feeders or winter homes for insects. Achievable tasks are designed to build self-esteem, develop social skills and physical coordination through successfully completing
new challenges. Under close supervision by qualified Forest School staff and trained volunteers, the children learn to clamber over fallen trees or use traditional woodworking tools such as bow saws and drills to make their own wooden wheels or medallions.
VICTORY FIGHTS
Sat 7 Oct www.victoryfights.co.uk
Sessions are themed around the changing seasons and this autumn we will be squishing blackberries to make smoothies, caching acorns and having a go at Hapa Zome (the Japanese art of beating up leaves with a mallet to decorate cloth).
The unique pairing of Sussex’s only African art gallery JaxMar and Kenshiro Gym, presents Victory Fights, a combination of top class MMA and K1 fighting, coming to Moulsecoombe Leisure Centre very soon. The evening will be filled with local and UK champion fighters. The night’s headline fight will feature the UK’s number one heavyweight MMA and former Britain’s Strongest Man, Oli Thompson, in a heavyweight four-man tournament. Head Coach Kenny Moyston says, “Visitors can expect the excitement and glamour of a full on fight night and they will soon understand why MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in the world.”
Degrees and diplomas in Performing Arts Enrol now
Dance. Act. Sing.
Visit brictt.co.uk for more information
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
COMPETITIONS
photo by Faris Villena
P.10
WIN CLOSING CEREMONY TICKETS:
MAMMOTHFEST 2017 FIVE PRIZES TO BE WON! Wed 6 – Fri 8 Oct Brighton WWW.MAMMOTHFEST.UK
Mammothfest, Brighton’s very own rock and metal festival is back for 3 days from Fri 6 - Sun 8 Oct 2017 and hosts over 50 bands across 2 live stages at The Arch, right on the buzzing Brighton seafront. Originally a single stage alldayer, Mammothfest has now grown to a full weekend, and it’s only getting bigger. UK exclusive performances from Rotting Christ, Tsjuder, Fleshgod Apocalypse and Amenra along with Dragged Into Sunlight, Akercocke, Lawnmower Deth, Vodun and many more sees these hard-working metallers bring us a stunningly heavy weekend! VIP weekend tickets are already sold out with this year’s record ticket sales, and it’s no wonder with a killer lineup like this! You’d better act fast if you want to get in the pit this October! BN1 and Mammothfest are teaming up to give you the chance to win one of FIVE amazing prizes. To be in with a chance of winning either a pair of weekend tickets to Mammothfest 2017, a pair of day tickets, a Mammothfest beanie, T-shirt or hoodie, all you have to do is answer the following question… Which of these artists is NOT playing at Mammothfest 2017? A) Fleshgod Apocalypse B) Rihanna C) Rotting Christ Send your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: competition@bn1magazine.co.uk with ‘MAMMOTH’ as the subject header. Terms and conditions apply (www.bn1magazine.co.uk/terms-conditions). A winner will be chosen and notified on Fri 25 Aug. GOOD LUCK!
ELROW TOWN LONDON Sat 19 – Sun 20 Aug
WWW.ELROWTOWNLONDON.COM
On Sat 19 and Sun 20 Aug, world-renowned immersive party concept elrow are set to host their biggest ever show across two days at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, London. Offering a 360 degree immersive experience, elrow Town London are constructed elaborate sets and stages to create a party dreamland for revellers to lose themselves in. Wacky characters and zany interactive performers will keep crowds on their tows, with lashings of elrow’s trademark inflatables and confetti filling the air. Some of the biggest names in underground electronic music will play across three elaborate stages with the likes of Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Eats Everything, Idris Elba, The 2 Bears, Santé & Sydney Charles, Butch, Route94, Jasper James, Lauren Lane and Riva Starr all set to play. Plus, for the first time ever, elrow have enlisted some of UK’s most prominent figures in bass-driven sounds with the likes of Sticky & Scott Garcia performing as Foundation, DJ Die, Man Power, Melé and the Menendez Brothers all confirmed to play from Mr Wompy’s converted vintage ice-cream van. Elrow Town London’s Saturday show sold out in just four hours, so in anticipation of this unmissable show, elrow have teamed up with BN1 Magazine to offer our readers the chance to win tickets to attend elrow Town London’s Closing Ceremony on Sun 20 Aug. Two lucky winners will each receive a pair or tickets to attend the show, plus a copy of newly released double compilation CD elrow Volume 1, mixed by their chief residents. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: Which famous British actor will also be DJing at elrow Town London? A) Daniel Radcliffe B) Idris Elba C) Maggie Smith Send your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: competition@bn1magazine.co.uk with ‘ELROW’ as the subject header. Terms and conditions apply (www.bn1magazine.co.uk/terms-conditions). A winner will be chosen and notified by Fri 11 Aug.
Photo by © Andrew Benge
WIN TICKETS TO:
LEEFEST
PRESENTS THE NEVERLAND 2017 Thurs 10 – Sat 12 Aug WWW.LEEFEST.ORG Once again LeeFest returns to enliven your summer, with more music, arts and performances than the human mind can comprehend. Set in a beautiful location just 50 mins from London, they welcome headliners Kate Tempest, Annie Mac and Jake Bugg, as well as a selection of incredible acts including Wild Beasts, Tom Greenan, Wilkinson, Fickle Friends, Lewis Watson, Crazy P (Live), Milk Teeth and plenty more. In addition to a packed programme of music and arts, LeeFest Presents The Neverland features a specially-curated range of areas, partnering with esteemed collectives like Jungle, Percolate, Regression Sessions, Good Life and non-music partners such as Sounds Familiar Quiz, Apothecary Cabaret, The Shift, Real Debate Club and Almond Blossom Yoga. Started by promoter Lee Denny in his back garden, the event has now grown into a spectacular multi award-winning extravaganza. Where else can you party in an immersive kingdom with world class performers, glitter wrestling, a real beach party, casinos, burlesque, circus, a gaming arcade, visual arts installations, a tranquillity spa, and the best emerging music acts? BN1 are giving one of our lucky readers a pair of weekend tickets to this amazing festival. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question: Where did Leefest start?
A) In the promoter’s back garden B) Aunt Bessie's boudoir C) The A27
Send your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: competition@bn1magazine.co.uk with ‘LEEFEST17’ as the subject header. Terms and conditions apply (www.bn1magazine.co.uk/terms-conditions). A winner will be picked and notified by Fri 29 July.
Italian restaurant, pizzeria and food shop: better eat better. Named as one of Þve of the best places to eat in Brighton by the Financial Times Featured twice as one of three of the best Italian restaurants in the Country in the Sunday Times Magazine ÒIf you try just one thing go for the Gnocco Fritto Misto.” Daily Star
69 East Street BN1 1HQ Brighton tel 01273 733800 info@edendum.co.uk www.edendum.co.uk
P.12
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
COMPETITIONS
WIN TICKETS TO:
DEEP SOUTH FESTIVAL Sat 9 - Mon 11 Sept
WIN TICKETS TO: Habitats: VR experience presented by Marshmallow
LASER FEAST
www.facebook.com/DeepSouthLdn
More than just a party, and more than just a festival, Deep South Arts & Music Festival is an intimate gathering of 450 party people and passionate music heads in celebration of the extended South London musical community. Located in private ancient woodlands near Tunbridge Wells, the event’s Space Oddity for this year follows one of South London’s greatest musical heroes - David Bowie. Taking inspiration from Ziggy Stardust to Aladdin Sane, Heroes to Heathens come with your painted faces and Let’s Dance. A packed musical line-up includes: Dark Sky, Andrew Ashong (live), Throwing Snow, Medlar, FYI Chris, Carmody (live), and showcases the best in live music and DJ sets from South London and beyond. In addition to seeing a return of the labels, parties and record stores involved in last year’s Mansion Party and some new partners like Brighton's own Disco Deviant. There’s also an array of performance and cabaret, plus exceptional food and drink, all set in one of the most idyllic locations in England… BN1 Magazine and Deep South are giving are away a pair of tickets to this year’s event on Sat 9 – Sun 10 Sept. To be in for a chance of winning, simply answer the following question:
Tue 28th Aug – Opening night theoldmarket.com
Marshmallow Laser Feast is back with another captivating, immersive exhibition following their sold out tour of ‘In The Eye of the Animal’ virtual reality LAB. Two lucky BN1 Magazine readers will win a pair of tickets to this years display of Habitats open night on Mon 28th Aug @7pm, at The Old Market. The enchanting showcase is comprised of interactive, musical laser installations, or ‘trees’, made of steel rods and lasers. Interaction through physically tapping, shaking and plucking will cause the ‘trees’ to swing and oscillate, creating vibrating patterns of light and sound, specifically tuned to create harmonious spatialised and played in surround sound. Furthermore partake in the VR experience Treehugger: Wawona, winner of the Tribeca Film Festival 2017 Storyscape Award. It allows the viewer to experience through virtual reality the scale and wonder of the sequoia tree, arguably one of the largest living individual organisms our planet. The longer you hug the deeper you drift, discovering the trees hidden inner structure and energy flows reaching throughout the tree. To be in with a chance of winning this prize winning spectacular, simply answer the following question:
Which club night will be representing Brighton at Deep South Music & Arts Festival?
A) Disco Pete B) Doug The Deviant C) Disco Deviant
Send your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: competition@bn1magazine.co.uk with ‘SOUTH’ as the subject header. Terms and conditions apply (www.bn1magazine.co.uk/terms-conditions). A winner will be chosen and notified by Fri 25 Aug. GOOD LUCK!
What does ‘VR’ experience stand for?
A) ‘Virtual Reality’ experience B) ‘Very Real’ experience C) ‘Virtually Reem’ experience
Send your answer including your name, address and telephone number to: competition@bn1magazine. co.uk with ‘LASER FEAST’ as the subject header. Terms and conditions apply (www.bn1magazine.co.uk/termsconditions). A winner will be chosen and notified by Mon 21 Aug. GOOD LUCK!
P.14
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
Embracing The Rhythm Method By Stuart Rolt
not know the final count – describing it only as ‘a lot’), as well as unleashing dancefloorsmashing versions of tracks like Todd Terry's Jumping and Jaydee's Plastic Dreams.
An Interview with STEVE MAC
Hopefully there’s a time in any artist’s lifetime when they get the nod of respect from an inspirational figure. For Brighton-based DJ and producer Steve Mac, it might have been when he met underground house music godfather and Murk label boss, Oscar G. “I said ‘it’s a pleasure to meet you,’” Mac tells me. “’You’re one of my heroes.’ He went: ‘No. You’re one of MY heroes.’ I was like… ‘Fuck off. You’re joking!’” It’s another mark of recognition in a career that’s seen Mac remix chart-topping singles, play some of the world’s greatest venues and produce dozens of genre-defining tracks. We’re speaking on a beautiful day, just outside Mac’s studio near London Road. He’s tired but resolutely chatty, having just flown back into the country. DJing since the age of 11, he formed Rhythm Masters with Rob Chetcuti in the mid-'90s. Together they’d add a very British twist to house music, drawing inspiration from pioneers like Todd Terry, Kenny Dope and Masters at Work. “What we did was take what they’d done with their rhythms and toughen it up. It worked in this country because everyone was off their tits and just wanted it harder.” With a forward-thinking brand of massive, peak time house music, the pair dominated the British club scene for almost a decade. They also remixed hundreds of Top 40 singles for other artists (Mac professes to
In 2002 they split amicably to follow other projects, but have recently started recording together again with renewed vigour. That meeting with Oscar G directly led to them reworking one of dance music’s all-time classics. Their version of The Fog’s Been A Long Time is the first remix from them in a decade, and was almost instantly declared B.Traits’ hottest Record Of The Week on Radio 1. “It’s not about having anything to prove. I feel like I’m 18 years old again. I’ve invested heavily in my studio and loving it more than I ever have. We’re making so many records…” This reinvigorated attitude has brought into play some tracks on Steve Lawler’s label, some more releases on Eats Everything’s Edible label and an EP for Ibizan party promoters Do Not Sleep. Soon Mac will complete the line-up for Disco Lovers’ Pride Village Party celebrations, and adds his considerable knowledge as well as a few cheeky reworks. “I’ve been collecting music for years and years, and have created a collection of edits. It’s going to be bringing a good vibe with some classy music.” The event comes to Kemptown’s Brighton Rocks Bar on Sat 5 Aug, where Mac will play alongside Darren Murphy from Inspired and Inner Rhythm, J Felix and Charlie Drayton from Tru Thoughts, Go Bang’s Ali Back and Disco Lovers’ own Sam Moffett and Spike Kingston. With an environment and decor by Ideas Lab, a monstrous sound system and lights from Traction Sound, body art, mischief and mayhem by Judi and the Doodlecats, this epic party will be raising funds for LGBTQ+ charities The Sussex Beacon and MindOut Brighton. He acknowledges club culture has changed significantly since Rhythm Masters’ original formation. Mainstream house music is increasingly atonal and tech-based. “A lot of it is just drums and bass. The biggest problem is everyone wants to be cool. A lot of the young DJs try too hard and play records which they think are cool, but no one dances to them.” Part of the looming issue could be the current difficulty in finding quality dance music. An online music store like Beatport will release 25,000 new tunes in a single week. It’s just not possible to shift through all that volume and find fresh or exciting tracks with ease. This is a long way from when Mac would go into a record shop as a youngster and be filtered to about 50
pieces of vinyl by a sales assistant who knew him and his tastes. Crate digging and searching for new sounds formed a big part of early Rhythm Masters work. There would be endless evenings spent looping and sampling old tunes to form new ones. “I remember walking into a second-hand shop and there was this whole section of 12 inches. I said: ‘How much do you want for all of them?’ He’s like: ‘Really? 500 quid!’ I gave him the money and we loaded up a car with all these records.” The pair had a studio with four turntables, a huge sound system and a wall full of records, spending day and night mixing dusty old vinyl, forming ideas, and being inspired. In addition to all the resurgent Rhythm Masters work, Mac’s own productions continue apace – including a forthcoming acid house album in the very near future. He’s been through a phase of really enjoying older sounding records, and realised he had all the technology it was written on. “So, I’ve made this album. I got all the original people involved. Robert Owens has done two vocals for me and I got Marshall Jefferson. I met Marshall in Amsterdam and we hit it off. He asked me if I wanted to go into the studio with him. I was like: ‘Too right…’” As you’d hope, he’s got quite a few tales of hanging out with artists like Armand Van Helden, Roger Sanchez, and Sleazy D, as well as the improbably wonderful story of taking Robert Owens for a pint in Brighton’s The Joker. The people Mac once looked up to are now peers. He’s visibly a little perplexed by it all, but it’s unlikely he’ll take any of this for granted. The Rhythm Masters have also started performing live shows together. Now, Mac takes on turntable duties, while Chetcuti deploys a keyboard and Ableton-loaded laptop to layer sounds and make live edits. But the recording studio is still where they’re in their true element. His new studio is based firmly around the use of analogue gear, something which gives the music ‘a bit of ‘movement’. It’s an awe-inspiring setup, dominated by walls of vintage equalisers and compressors to create a richer sound. “When I was a teenager, and getting into it, the equipment was so expensive. You’d buy an Akai Sampler, and for a ten-second sample that would cost you £3,000. Where do you find that kind of money as a kid? Unless you’re robbing shops or selling drugs It was a lot more difficult to get into. But it’s like anything, if you love it and you want to do it, you pursue it.”
Steve Mac headlines the Disco Lovers’ Pride Village Party event, at Kemptown’s Brighton Rocks Bar, on Sat 5 Aug. Steve Mac and Rhythm Masters’ records can be heard on discerning dance floors everywhere. www.edl.me
P.16
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
HAÇIENDA CLASSICAL AN INTERVIEW WITH PETER HOOK By Stuart Rolt “Bernard Manning said: ‘You’ve got no fucking chance!’ to us.” Peter Hook is reminiscing about the comedian’s first impression of The Haçienda on it’s opening night. “But we proved him wrong, by managing to waste money for 17 years…” Perhaps no other failed business has had such a massive impact on British art and music. This was a club which had a key role in the UK’s acid house scene, and began Manchester’s evolution from grim industrial hub to a cultural mecca. Even 20 years after it collapsed in financial chaos, the spirit and music which reverberated through this converted yacht showroom is being kept alive. Hook, DJs Graeme Park and Mike Pickering, and the Manchester Camerata orchestra are adding a symphonic polish to some of house music’s most enduring hits with the Haçienda Classical project. “It’s as difficult as ever,” Hook cheerily tells me. “When we come to do the playlist it’s the most difficult. I must admit, this time, I had to put my foot down to get a bit of acid house - because I’m a great fan, I really threw a tantrum.” After a sell-out show as part of last year’s festival, this sprawling orchestral rave returns with a show at Brighton Racecourse. By Hook’s own admission it’s a huge undertaking, but people are still eager to preserve the legendary venue’s legacy. The venue was opened in 1982 by Hook’s former band New Order, their manager Rob Gretton and Factory Records boss Tony Wilson. It was unlike anything seen in clubland before, with an industrial style, bars named after famous British spies and VJs projecting questionable imagery. Here was a cavernous yellow and black homage to the vibrant Manhattan clubs New Order had been visiting. It subsequently failed to attract crowds for almost seven years, save for a few live shows. Then people started coming for the exotic machine music it played at the weekend, and Britain’s acid house movement was born. “People loved the idealism, they loved the wackiness of what Tony created and what he championed. It was very punk. A lot of punk ideals were built on non-commerciality.” Obviously running a club where some preferred drugs over alcohol is not going to generate a fortune. It’ll instead create problems with licensing officials, especially when rival gangs start warring on the dancefloor. Ministry of Sound, Cream and a wealth of super-clubs viably learnt from the venue’s mistakes, forming a new breed of world-class commercial brands. “The Haçienda changed the world, and people very rarely change the world when they’re only interested in money. Tony was only interested in people.” Hook detailed his experiences in his hilarious 2010 book, The Haçienda: How Not to Run a Club. Since closing 20 years ago the venue has been redeveloped into apartments, but people are still talking about it, and the music it promoted lives on.
In 2012, to celebrate its 30th birthday and to mark the club’s contribution to global dance culture, Hook, Park and Pickering released the Haçienda 30 compilation. It was a glimpse into the sounds you’d hear in the venue, and quickly became a bestseller. True to form, their next step was to transplant some of these tunes into a sprawling classical live show. “I was a bit sceptical about the marriage between classical and dance. I couldn’t for the life of me see how it was going to work. But I was delighted to be proved wrong, and Graeme and Mike always go to great lengths to tell me how wrong I was… every bloody chance they get.” He concedes that it’s been a big learning curve putting the project together. Choosing and arranging songs for an orchestra is difficult enough without the massive endeavour of keeping 100-plus people on the road. “It is a bugger,” he chuckles. The popularity Haçienda Classical has found is due to the special place many of these records have in people’s hearts. Here is a soundtrack to so many people’s experiences, from going out at 18 to facing mid-life crises - yet these tracks have never been performed in such a physical and heartfelt way. “Every time we play, you get the old duffers coming out, like me, for their once a month outing – because it takes the rest of the month to recover.” He is finding the shows are increasingly drawing a new younger audience. There’s been a massively successful show at this year’s Glastonbury Festival and international tours are even being planned. “I’d be really, really happy to take it to Detroit or Chicago, to give them that payback they so richly deserve.” One hard learnt lesson Peter Hook has taken from his club’s legendary implosion is to find the balance between realism and idealism. The future sees a new house compilation from the Haçienda brand, the developing of a completely new set for the Classical show, and tours around the world. But would he be able to offer any advice for aspiring club owners, other than not to risk it? “I’d get yourself a very sensible partner. You have to follow your heart, but at the Haçienda a mate said to me: ‘What are you doing this for? Are you doing it for your heart or your wallet?’ I looked in my wallet and realised I was doing it for my heart. You do have to be very careful in living your dreams.”
Haçienda Classical, with Groove Armada and Stereo MCs, comes to Brighton Racecourse on Sat 9 Sept. www.brighton-racecourse.co.uk
Image by Peter Kaminski
STRINGS OF LIFE
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
STEP BACK IN TIME
D L R O W T S O L E TH
By Becky Waldron
If you’re the kind of person who likes to immerse yourself in a world full of mystical adventure, The Lost World is a play you should see this summer. The play is based on the book of the same name, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, an imaginative man who inspired many popular pieces of work including King Kong, Alien, Godzilla and many other fantastical monster stories. He is also the author of the infamous Sherlock Holmes novels which captivated audiences everywhere. In this story, a group of travellers explore an uncharted plateau in South America. Going only by a few rough directions scribbled in a notebook, they find themselves encountering some prehistoric animals. Their cameras, through the chaos of it all, get totally destroyed and the explorers struggle to find a way of showing the rest of the world that these beastly creatures truly exist. In the past, many fictional scenarios have been created in which creatures of an unusual or mystical nature find their way into corrupting our human world. However, The Lost World is unique in that the characters bring more than just a story back from their adventures. Only when the group bring the dinosaurs home - in what they believe to be ‘unbreakable’ crates - does the story takes a dynamical turn. Oliver, the artistic director and founder of theatre company, Illyria, composed the play. He describes how faithful it is to the original book. “It develops the idea of the consequences of bringing a dinosaur home to exhibit it. But the play differs from the book in that it doesn't take itself too seriously! It is a Ripping Yarns-style adventure with a few scares and lots of laughs!”
He goes on to explain, “It involves many different styles of storytelling, object manipulation and puppetry - sometimes on an extremely large scale! There is a cast of six professional actors and a fully-orchestrated soundtrack to heighten the excitement.” The amazing and huge dinosaur puppets are cleverly worked to make audiences almost believe they might be real. The dinosaurs have even been likened to being scarier than seagulls – and of course we all know how terrifying they can be! Illyria has an unbeaten reputation for hosting some marvellous open-air theatre shows, having travelled around Europe, the United States and Canada. Their family-friendly shows, enchanting audiences of all ages, have also won them four international Best Performance awards and attracted numerous 5-star and Critics' Choice reviews for the amazing approach they take to reviving Shakespeare's plays. Their depiction of this story makes them the first company to tackle a show in this genre - and to this extent. This is, in fact, the only performance in the country to feature life-size and fully mobile dinosaurs. In the relaxed setting of Brighton Open Air Theatre, this play has a lot to offer; comedy, escapades and a colourful aesthetic for a great day or evening out. “If you want an exciting storyline but with tongue-in-cheek performances... if you want a show to entertain children and adults alike, then is the show to see.” The Lost World comes to Brighton Open Air Theatre on Thurs 10 - Sat 12 Aug. www.brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk
P.17
P.18
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
LIVE MUSIC
PLANNER
LITTLE BARRIE FRI 4 AUG TOO MANY ZOOZ WEDS 2 AUG
THE HAUNT
KATE NASH TUES 8 AUG
CONCORDE 2
HUSKY LOOPS THURS 10 AUG
GREEN DOOR STORE
Photo by © Daniel Quesada
FUR KOMEDIA
THURS 17 AUG
KOMEDIA
LIVING BODY SUN 20 AUG
THE GREEN DOOR STORE
THE PRINCE ALBERT
TRICOT SUN 27 AUG
THE HAUNT
SAM OUTLAW THURS 31 AUG
GREEN DOOR STORE
THE LANES THURS 31 AUG
HOPE & RUIN
HOPE & RUIN
Children Of The Cult rejoice, King Leviathan release their debut album Paean Heretica today. To celebrate, this evening’s black mass will see the work performed in all its unholy entirely. This Brighton-based blackened thrash four-piece have seen their cult spread across the nation since forming in 2014.
MORGAN M-JAMES
MON 21 AUG
As individuals, they are each highly respected musicians and artists - but it’s a as a single unit that this trio truly shine. Paying due homage to their heroes from across the pop-cultural spectrum, Little Barrie are now making some of their strongest music yet.
KING LEVIATHAN SAT 5 AUG
SAT 12 AUG
GOSPELBEACH
THE BRUNSWICK
After releasing their highly anticipated fifth studio album last month, Little Barrie now head out on an extensive UK tour. Named Death Express, it packs a heavy punch, as you can probably imagine. The three piece have enjoyed over 15 years of underground excellence together, recently being enlisted to create the theme tune and incidental music for TV smash hit Better Call Saul.
Image by Greig Clifford
They’ve gone on to rock events like Mammothfest (three years in a row!), Bloodstock, Thrashersaurus Norwich, Frankfest and The Night Before Uprising, supporting some of metal’s true heavyweights along the way. They’ve also invited some dear friends and brothers to join them in ruination, including Vehement, Krysthla, and Hole In The Sky.
THE AFGHAN WHIGS THU 17 AUG
CONCORDE 2
You may remember the last century, when The Afghan Whigs innovated and others followed. It’s a thrilling combination of stadium-sized songs and classic R&B, and although many other acts have tried to emulate them, these rockers still sound as distinctive and as fresh as ever. We’ve had the inevitable split, and the almost as inevitable reunion. Now the band are back in their stride. The lineup has swelled and the ambition is epic. Any other band pilfering musical history would be perceived as mere pretenders, but what carries The Afghan Whigs through is their musicianship and understanding of the styles they ape. It’s going to be difficult explaining to the uninitiated, but those who know will appreciate they’re one of the best alternative acts of all time.
AT THE EDGE OF THE SEA 2017 FRI 18 – SAT 19 AUG
CONCORDE 2
A mini-festival revolving around indie legends, The Wedding Present, and all the great bands they spawned and influenced - this is a two-day celebration of jangly guitar pop. Friday sees The Wedding Present present a very special 30th Anniversary performance of their seminal album George Best, supported by The Membranes with the BIMM Choir. Saturday features the ‘Pressies’ playing 2016’s Going, Going... album, Cinerama, Brighton’s wonderful The Popguns, The Sleazoids (featuring former Wedding Present guitarist Paul Dorrington), The Charlie Tipper Conspiracy, Helen McCookerybook and plenty more. If your dad comes home bruised, sweaty and very happy at six in the AM - you know where he’s really been…
LIVE MUSIC
TIGERS JAW
ASH
THE HAUNT
CONCORDE 2
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
P.19
PLANNER
Image by Alex Lake
HOLY FUCK
SAT 19 AUG
WED 23 AUG
WED 23 AUG
The new album spin is due out on Fri 18 Aug, and Tigers Jaw are celebrating with a UK tour culminating at Reading and Leeds Festivals. The album signals a new attitude for mainstays Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins - it’s the first time the pair have been able to write and record without outside influence and experiment amongst familiar fuzzy punk vibes.
Now here’s a band with an uncanny knack for writing the biggest and best tunes. So much so that they decided to abandon the production of ‘proper’ albums and simply concentrate on knocking out solid-gold pop nuggets. Even though this period gave us some quality tunes, they reversed their decision with the wonderfully back to basics attitude of Kablammo!.
The biggest change is the reduced lineup - but shedding members has only encouraged the band into new territory, both lyrically and musically. The wordplay is more socially-aware and seems less contrived, while the music is distinctly more indie focussed. It’s a change-up the fans should be very happy with.
It showed everyone they still had what it takes to be a great rock outfit, whilst shocking a few critics who might have thought the best days of Ash were behind them. There’s even a new album in the pipeline, but for now the band are celebrating an incredible 25 years together with a very special selection of shows.
Why not pick up a gift for your elderly aunt from this crew’s merchandise stand? Blasting some clapped-out old keyboards through guitar pedals to make brainmangling compositions which could loosely be described as krautrock, Holy Fuck are just ‘one of those bands’. Too weird not to exist and too inventive to ignore, they’re capable of incredible subtlety amongst the wobbly alternative-pop. Playing live in the round, they bring another singularly brilliant performance to Brighton. This hardcore thrift-store found-object punk band have a relentless commitment to rhythm. Think Einstürzende Neubauten reinspired by Fela Kuti, with Brian Eno working as keyboard tech, and every dial on the mixer set to eleventy.
DEATH AND VANILLA
OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
RIALTO THEATRE
HASTINGS PIER
THURS 24 AUG
Swedish cult atmospheric act, Death and Vanilla, create organic sounding electronic pop music, utilising an array of vintage musical equipment to emulate the sounds of ‘60s/‘70s soundtracks, library music, German krautrock, French ye-ye pop and ‘60s psych. After a handful of successful releases, in 2015 they signed to Fire Records and unleashed To Where The Wild Things Are. It was a solid collection of vivid melodies with a wild, dreamy and experimental edge, celebrating imagination and the ability to travel to stranger recesses of the mind. More recently they’ve scored Carl Theodor’s 1932 French-German horror classic – Vampyr. Now the band are making a very special Brighton appearance in the apt surroundings of the Rialto Theatre.
Photo by © Karen Allen
PATTERNS
PETE FIJ AND TERRY BICKERS
SAT 26 AUG
WEDS 30 AUG
The band that revitalised the entire Breton jersey industry present a very special event on the iconic Hastings Pier. It’s around 20 years on since the release of their definitive Moseley Shoals album, so the band will be performing this in its entirety, along with a selection of their greatest hits.
Two guiding lights from four of Creation Records’ most important bands (Pete Fij fronting Adorable and Polak, while Terry Bickers formed House Of Love and Levitation) play a special Brighton show to support their second joint album (We Are Millionaires).
A vital part of the ‘90s Britpop movement, there won’t be a dry eye in the house when they replay one of their most successful and best loved albums. The ‘best of British’ theme is completed with support duties from the amazing Bootleg Beatles and legendary Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook’s excellent band Peter Hook And The Light. It’s a great day to be at the seaside.
The pair have evolved beyond those halcyon days, now composing rich, heartfelt, cinematic songs to pluck at those heartstrings. The maturity has brought a new level of thoughtfulness, as well as willingness to experiment with forms and sounds. Instead of being reliant on past glories disappearing into the thickening fog of indie obscurity, this pairing are charming a whole new audience – and all the more brilliant for it.
RIALTO THEATRE
P.20
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
FABLE ATTRACTION
MAGNETIC FIELDS B Y S T U A R T R O LT I’m not interested in holding up a mirror to nature, or in expressing my soul,” Stephin Merritt tells me. “I don’t think I would’ve expressed it if it were possible. I’m sort of nasty.” The songwriter, musical and Magnetic Fields frontman is refusing to entertain any noble thoughts of being a romantic or why he need bare his inner self to the world. It’s an irony that this May saw the release of his latest album, 50 Song Memoir, a lavish ‘concept album’ dedicating a song to each year of his productive half century on Earth. It’s going to take a whole two nights at Brighton Dome to perform this immense work in sequence and entirety this September. If you believe him, Merritt is just as enthralled by the discovery of a Quaker burial ground during the complex’s renovation work. He’s curious about the skeletons workmen have uncovered. “Hopefully we’ll be able to put them onstage…” Today he’s suffering from a considerable cold, which has dropped his voice down almost an octave. But he promises me he’s not being grumpy, in case I’m in danger of misunderstanding his dry humour. “If I don’t feel better by the time of the show, I guess I’ll have to call the doc and get him pump me full of amphetamines.” Running across five whole discs and demanding twoand-a-half hours of total listening time, 50 Song Memoir is a work which ebbs and flows. Like life, it’s peppered with the bright and the downbeat. Despite its length, it somehow avoids sounding ponderous or repetitive - which is difficult to accomplish on any album. Merritt has strived to vary production styles across it, particularly on consecutive tracks. “For maximum contrast would be that one song is a whisper and the next a scream. But that would minimise the contrast every six minutes, whilst maximising it every three. I tried to have it go to places you weren’t expecting. Only time will tell if I’ve succeeded in that.” Although epic in nature, each of the work’s individual tracks are finely-crafted moments of precision-cut pop. In an age of downloads and streaming, 50 Song Memoir weighty form might appear anachronistic. But Merritt refutes my suggesting ‘the album’ is a moribund art form. “It’s never been a very popular thing after 1972. The people who thought in terms of albums rather than songs were mostly prog-rock
Image by © Marcelo Krasilcic
bands. No one ever ran out to buy the new Yes single in the ‘70s - you wanted to hear the album. I do see this album in tradition of Tales from Topographic Oceans, in the fact it’s a multi-record set and there’s no invitation to come into via a particular song. I would not want to put out a single from this album as that would missing the point.” His lavish attitude to album crafting doesn’t automatically make Magnetic Fields’ output prog-rock, yet it is rock and certainly progressive. You could as easily argue their songs are pointedly non-rock and wantonly retro as well. Sometimes it seems he’s wilfully avoiding categorisation of his music. Looking back at the last 50 years could simply be a hook to hang his lyrics on and enable a nice long album. Merritt seems perfectly happy to make this, and all his work, shallow and unrevealing - at least where his own story is concerned. He maintains that divulging his social security number would be a better way of informing an audience about his past. “Is it a personal album? I don’t know… and I don’t care,” he says with a throaty chuckle. ”I’ve not put any effort into making it a personal album, apart from you can hear what I like to do in the studio and my wide taste in music.” It does offer an immersing and inventive assembly of perfect vignettes. Dreaming in Tetris takes a look at the HIV epidemic, Be True To Your Bar bemoans fading local social scenes, while Weird Diseases… well that’s fairly self-explanatory. This is storytelling on an epic scale, told with a variety of different modes. Across its breadth are tales of change, upheaval, loss and discovery. “Even in the instrumental music I do, I’m trying to tell a story. All of the tracks I’ve recorded deliberately go somewhere, and you’re supposed to notice that they’re going somewhere.” Expression doesn’t always have to revolve around an artist’s desperate need for the audience to understand them better. But then Merritt is far from the archetype of an ‘everyday artist’. Just don’t expect him to issue a straightforward memoir. “You’re only 50 once, hopefully. Unless my mother is right about reincarnation, in which case you’re 50 an infinite number of times and on an infinite number of planets. Which sounds very boring.” Magnetic Fields perform the whole of 50 Song Memoir at Brighton Dome, on Thurs 7 - Fri 8 Sept. www.brightondome.org
Featuring a host of cherry-picked vintage stalls, Victorian fair-rides, workshops and live entertainment.
FIRLE VINTAGE FAIR
www.firleandcountry.co.uk
Firle Vintage Fair is a celebration of the beauty and antiquities of the past.
12TH - 13TH AUGUST 2017
P.22
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
CLUBBING
NEIGHBOURHOOD FRI 11 AUG PATTERNS Patterns are known for bringing together Brighton’s best
BOSSY
FRI 4 AUG
GREEN DOOR STORE
TRICKSTAR PRIDE BEACH PARTY SAT 5 AUG
CONCORDE 2
HOUSE OF GO BANG! SAT 19 AUG
GREEN DOOR STORE
DONUTS
EVERY TUES
PATTERNS
S.L.A.G PRESENTS DERRICK CARTER DOES DISCO SAT 5 AUG
THE ARCH
TRICKSTAR PRIDE BEACH PARTY SAT 5 AUG
CONCORDE 2
SIFFREDI & FRIENDS FRI 11 AUG
THE ARCH
1 BRIGHTON FM: PETE HERBERT SAT 12 AUG
MONO
AZTEK: BRIGHTON LAUNCH SAT 19 AUG
THE ARCH
DELIRIUM W/DAVE PEARCE SAT 19 AUG
CONCORDE 2
BRANDON BLOCK FRI 25 AUG
PATTERNS
INYAEAR PRESENTS SAMMY PORTER PEARCE SAT 26 AUG
CONCORDE 2
THIS IS…
SUN 27 AUG
STAMMER HOUSE Image © Filip Wolak
PLANNER
Image by Josh Hiatt
collectives, resident DJs, MCs and special guests to represent the finest of UK sounds. This week they bring in Reprezent Radio host, producer and DJ, Cardinal Sound. Based in Cambridge, he’s known for a variety of underground sounds, from grime and garage to jungle and dancehall. Production-wise, his genre defying mix of British Soundsystem music has received huge support from many BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJs, including Toddla T, Mistajam and Jamz Supernova, as well as Swamp 81’s Paleman, NTS Radio favourite Murlo, and grime legend Spooky. If it’s bass-driven and makes you move, this is where you’ll hear it.
NIGHTMARES ON WAX
FRI 11 AUGUST
KOMEDIA
In aid of the Last Night A DJ Saved My Life charity, this night aims to raise money for wells in Africa and UK Music Therapy sessions with local legend Mr Bongo and a rare Brighton appearance from Nightmares on Wax. With an infrequent release schedule and a gift for creating unique sounds, this Sheffield-born producer has started to move away from the techno sound he pioneered at Warp Records. Now he’s utilising real musicians on his own productions, making significant nods to his love of hip-hop, afro-beat and Balearic music. So expect a funky, soul-fuelled, dub and disco explosion, a positive atmosphere, and eclectic beats from all corners of the globe.
DJ ZINC
SAT 12 AUG
THE ARCH
The mighty Zinc is going to rock The Arch with a true classics set, featuring a few of the monster tunes that have carpeted his musical journey. As one of drum’n’bass’ figureheads, his open-minded style has drawn influence from house, hip-hop, funk, and even a few old film soundtracks. The True Playaz co-founder’s story runs parallel to the bass scene. Yet he’s been able to move away from a purist D’n’B sound and dabble in breaks, ‘crack house’ and garage with equally devastating effect. Ever inventive and uncompromising, Zinc promises to be putting together an evening of heavy rollers, hands in the air anthems and some forgotten gems.
SONIC SWITCH
SAT 12 AUG
GREEN DOOR STORE
Brighton’s Tru Thoughts are one of the most respected independent labels anywhere. Formed almost 20 years ago, they’ve continued to put out a wide range of genredefining releases. So, you’d expect they know a thing or two about throwing a great party. Sonic Switch is their monthly night and it attracts a big crowd. Label overlord Rob Luis will be presenting a five-hour set, and you know you’ll hear the best in bass, hip-hop, soul, drum’n’bass, reggae, dubstep, funk, and tropical beats. Make sure you get there early this is going to be massive.
DJ SHADOW
P.23
PLANNER
photo by Jimmy Mould
Image by Derick Daily
CLUBBING
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
SUPERCHARGED & WORRIED ABOUT HENRY
SPELLBOUND SYNTH SPECIAL
FRI 14 JULY
FRI 18 AUG
SAT 19 AUG
CONCORDE 2
KOMEDIA
Josh Davis started dabbling with mixtapes and beats in 1991. Within five years he’d established himself as one of the most innovative artists to ever enter the studio. His subsequent debut, Endtroducing…., was, and continues to be described as one of the most important work in electronic music.
Brighton heavyweights Supercharged and Worried About Henry are teaming up again to present a summer special with one of the biggest names in bass music, Flava D. With a sublime mix of house, garage, hip-hop and grime, this Butterz signing has been smashing it on dancefloors everywhere.
Over two decades on from this masterpiece, DJ Shadow has showed no sign of slowing down or losing his edge. Last July saw the release of The Mountain Will Fall, a futuristicsounding collection of tunes which paying homage to everything which forged his sound. This is music as a living breathing animal, and the years have given it even more skill, grace and knowledge.
With a series of original productions, fierce collaborations and some devastating remixes, she is known as one of the leaders in her field. Her DJing skills have become renowned everywhere - from New York and Tel Aviv to St. Petersburg and Barcelona. Joining her is production wizard Murlo and the awesome talents of Amy Becker. Boom!
The ‘80s club night for people who HATE ’80s nights returns - but with a twist. Your DJs Jenna and Simon Price will be blessing the Komedia with six bleeptastic hours of synth-pop magic. They’ll be honouring all those pioneering producers who prodded Korgs, Rolands, Moogs, Fairlights, Casios and Yamahas to create the blueprint for modern music.It’s a safe bet there’ll be big anthems from Depeche Mode, The Human League, Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, Soft Cell, New Order, Eurythmics, Yazoo, Bronski Beat, Visage, OMD, Heaven 17, Sparks, A Flock Of Seagulls, Pet Shop Boys, DAF, Fad Gadget, Suicide, The Cure, Dead Or Alive, Erasure, Japan, Killing Joke, Spandau Ballet, and Front 242. And maybe even John Foxx…
YOUNG MARCO
JAZZANOVA
DJ NATURE & CRAZY P
SAT 26 AUG PATTERNS
SUN 27 AUG PATTERNS
It’ll be another huge one – you’ve got Mr Bongo, Gardenn, J-Felix, Øvre and… Jazzanova. This eclectic Berlin-based collective are constantly producing, composing, arranging, remixing, DJing and shaping modern dance culture.
Disco Deviant bring in two heavyweights for one night of proper partying. DJ Nature has been immersing himself inperfectly-formed bass lines and compelling grooves since moving to New York in the ‘90s. While other styles may drift in and out, his core trade is in deep, mid-tempo music which hypnotically draws influence from disco, jazz, and house.
photo by PHILIPP JESTER
CONCORDE 2
SAT 19 AUG PATTERNS One of the best-kept secrets in Dutch dance music for over a decade, DJ and producer Young Marco is now very much enjoying the limelight. Perfecting his craft among Amsterdam’s underground scene through a series of somewhat infamous residencies, he now has a blossoming reputation for upfront and genre-defying eclecticism. Although his tune choices may seem disparate, he manages to make perfect links between everything from tropical rhythms, afro gems and quirky Middle Eastern disco to lost proto-house, throbbing techno and industrial-strength jack-tracks. Now, Patterns plays host to this world-class cratedigger. It’s going to be wild.
Founded during a night of DJing in ’95, the collective decided to refine their individual inspirations into a new sound. Support for their debut 12” came from Gilles Peterson, and soon the world began to catch up with its funky delights. Since then, they’ve spawned a live band as well as DJing at all the best clubs and festivals - and broadcasting their message to the world on their WDR Radio 1 show.
Crazy P are no strangers to getting a party started. Whether performing as a live band, or DJing like here tonight, they never fail to bring infectious rhythms. It’s another irresistible blend of house and disco as they effortlessly move between the old and new, banger and experimental. Support comes from Late Nite Tuff Guy and Pablo Contraband.
Immerse yourself in digital nature at The Old Market
© Sandra Ciampone
Technology. The saviour of our civilisation or the end of life on Earth? We are living in a time of incredible, irreversible revolution and many of us are wondering if that’s a good thing or not. However, in the grand scheme of things, there is very little us mere mortals can do about it before our AI overlords deem our race redundant. So, now is the time to enjoy all the magic technology can bring. The Old Market have taken this mantra to heart and spent the last few years exploring how we might consume culture in the digital age. Their #TOMtech programme brings together artists and technologists to create the entertainment of our future. Kicking off their 2017 season is Habitats, a new digital exhibition by Marshmallow Laser Feast - who get away with a name that ostentatious by creating some the world’s most innovative digital art. Helen Jewell, the venue’s programmer, gave it some context. “Although many of our digital inventions serve to estrange us from the world they were created to enrich, they are also giving us the potential to reconnect us to the wonder of our planet. New tech like VR is allowing us to literally see and feel things differently, through new eyes.” Habitats brings together three of the company’s latest works – using the latest technology to let you see the world anew. Immerse yourself in an interactive, musical,
laser forest where you can tap, shake or pluck to creative vibrating patterns of light and sound; stick your head into a replica of a giant Sequoia tree to see how one of the world’s largest individual organisms lives and breathes, and journey through the food chain of a UK woodland, seeing the environment as seen by animals small and large. Alongside the main exhibition, you can explore the natural world in a series of curated virtual reality experiences around the building – from the majesty of diving with a blue whale to climbing the summit of Everest. It’s not all digital though - Sussex Wildlife Trust have partnered on the event to bring some of our local habitats to life with some hands on activities and soundscapes from the undergrowth. With sessions running throughout the day, Habitats is suitable for young and old alike - it’s an event for everyone. During the daytime you can bring your family to explore or book for a late night session where they have programmed DJs to play alongside the exhibition. But is VR really all that? James Turnbull, who heads up #TOMtech, thinks it is. “Lots of people have tried VR now – either in the pub or on one of their mate’s Playstations – but it can feel a bit faddy. Once you have had a go on a rollercoaster or a horror experience the content pretty much dries up. On top of that, the hardware is ludicrously
ogy. Technol ur of io The sav isation il our civ d of en or the Earth? n o e f i l
expensive (the top end kit can set you back £1,500), so very few will have one at home anytime soon. As with anything we present here at TOM, the social aspect is as important as the art. Nothing beats the shared vibe of a sold out gig, or the sound of a whole audience laughing together to a stand-up. We think that shared experience is critical to VR’s success too. Habitats is one of four events we have lined up over the season that does just that.” Running alongside Habitats is the UK’s first theatre show experienced with a headset on. Frogman is an eco-thriller following the story of three young girls living by the Great Barrier Reef (think Stranger Things meets Planet Earth). The company behind it, curious directive, developed the initial ideas as part of a residency at #TOMtech last year. “We are extremely excited to have Frogman launch its UK tour here after working with them on technical development of the show. We think this will be a game-changer for what theatre could be like in the future.” So, you can make up your own mind. But one thing’s for sure – the future, in the short term at least, is pretty exciting. HABITATS runs 29 Aug – 10 Sep (various sessions each day, from £10) FROGMAN runs 05 Sep – 09 Sep, 6pm & 8.30pm, £12.50/£10. Check out www.theoldmarket.com/tomtech for line-up and dates, and don’t forget to enter our competition to win tickets to the preview night of Habitats on page 12!
Live Music Thu 7 & Fri 8 Sep
The Magnetic Fields 50 Song Memoir
Sun 15 Oct
GoGo Penguin: Koyaanisqatsi Film + original live score
Wed 18 Oct
Tru Thoughts Recordings 18th Birthday Party Feat. Hot 8 Brass Band, Alice Russell, Quantic (DJ set) + more
Thu 30 Nov
Benjamin Clementine
Plus Dizzee Rascal, Metronomy, Dua Lipa, Father John Misty, Mac Demarco, Wolf Alice and more...
01273 709709 brightondome.org
P.26
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
ÜBER NEATH THE ARCHES
” BERLIN BRIGHTON B Y S T U A R T R O LT
There’s more to Berlin than countless galleries, museums, incredible architecture, fierce winters, and Christmas markets. Across the German capital a club scene flourishes, while many elsewhere flounder. An old power station houses the legendary Berghain techno nights, you’ll find huge music festivals in an old dog biscuit factory, or how about Weekend? Situated in a communist-era tower, here you can watch the dawn sweep across the city on a rooftop terrace. Post-millennium Berlin deserves its reputation as the true party capital of Europe, but it’s not just fabulous venues which enable a rocking party. The music and the crowd are equally important. Now DJ Markus Saarländer is bringing a little bit of this ethos to Britain, with his Berlin Brighton events. He recalls when one of the city’s bigger promoters came to his night for the first time. “He said, ‘You’ve got everybody here. Every demographic we’ve been trying to get to our night are all at yours. It’s a whole spread.’ That’s a beautiful thing.” Held once a month at Green Door Store, with other special nights popping up all over town, these are a journey through the real Berlin underground. They draw together many different musical genres and have built a huge and loyal local following. When the night first started, it drew attention for its quirky Berlin-centric visuals. They would display images David Hasselhoff posed with puppies, or scenery and graffiti from Berlin. But the aim was not just to embrace certain Germanic memes, but to demonstrate that the nation offered more than pure techno. “It’s not about being bashed about the face with a cowbell,” Saarländer tells me. “It’s actually saying Berlin is a diverse and beautiful city.” This
desire brings together nu-disco and house through to techno and trance, and so the image of Teutonic music being tough and insular is robustly challenged. Born to a German father and an English mother, Saarländer grew up just south of Manchester. Occasional notes of Mancunian do drift into a nearly imperceptible accent. He moved down to Brighton six years ago, and the relocation brought a yearning to create something special. “At the turn of the century, particularly around the World Cup, being German started becoming quite cool. Growing up in the ‘90s, there was still a bit of a stigma, with the football and the war, particularly at school... So, I hid it a little bit. I came to Brighton, and started to go over to Berlin, Cologne and Munich, when I thought: ‘now is the time to do something for the Fatherland in this country…’” Drawing on his own skills and connections as a DJ, he’s gone on to develop one of Brighton's most funky, friendly and colourful parties. Over the last few months they’ve attracted Swiss electronic music superstar Kellerkind, Dave Seaman and his Selador imprint, and held a show with Mother Recordings’ stars Nhan Solo, Superlover and Nolan. There’s a host of established artists willing to squeeze a slot at Berlin Brighton into their busy touring schedule. “These DJs play all over the world. I was looking at Kellerkind’s schedule and he’s playing festivals everywhere. So, I was thinking: ‘Is he going to like the Green Door? It’s a little bit… little.’ But he just came in and loved it. That crowd and that vibe we draw in just emanates. Everyone says it’s such a great party.” It’s not only massive names that keep
this dancefloor moving. There’s also a big focus on local talent, with many fresh-faced hopefuls given a shot. Redressing the gender imbalance in dance music is also addressed. On every line-up you’ll find at least one female DJ, including Sami Kubu, Lady Lola, Suze Rosser, Milk, Just Her, Claire Spooner, and Maria Machtdieweltbunt. Even the traditionally lowly and ignored resident DJs are given the same amount of promotion as the Berlin Brighton headliners. These are pushed through the club’s regular shows on Trickstar Radio and given equal space in promotional material. The rest of 2017 year also sees summer beach parties at The Tempest, and the cementing of plans to take Berlin parts to quirky venues in other cities, including London, Manchester, Bristol, Liverpool, Leeds, and Southampton. They’re even taking the ‘Brighton vibe’ over to Berlin, as well as more hook-ups with major labels and likeminded individuals. The Green Door Store is in many ways the perfect venue for what he’s trying to do with his night. Located under the arches of Brighton Station, it’s got an unpretentious quality. This returns to the golden age of dance music when you’d head somewhere knowing you’d find reasonable door tax, good drinks, and great music. Saarländer keeps the atmosphere lively with plenty of partystarting freebies such as confetti cannons, glowsticks and stickers handed out on the door, not to mention a crowd-warming soundtrack. ”A large proportion of people that come to our events are Spanish, South American or Italian. They’ve been a huge pillar of what we’re doing. They love to party. Especially the Spanish – they always go hard. It adds to the vibe when there’s such a big mix of people.” It’s all about the records that are played. There’s no time for egos, fashion statements or pretension. Representing and including everybody, regardless of gender, orientation, or age, has been part of Berlin Brighton from the start. A little personality and heart is being thrust back into the clubbing experience. Berlin Brighton, featuring Markus Saarländer, Timo Garcia and Just Her, comes to Concorde2 for a Pride party with Trickstar Radio on Sat 5 Aug (daytime show). You’ll also find them once a month at Brighton’s Green Door Store.
www.berlin-brighton.com
P.28
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
THEATRE
PLANNER BODY DOUBLE TUES 1 - SAT 5 AUG
DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE
A contemporary, metaphysical drama exploring the complexion of reality and illusion. An unpredictable play about pretence, about the difference roles we assume in life, and about the dangers of pretending to be someone we’re not - a play that constantly keeps its audience guessing. Within the play, the actors are actors, the set is a set and the play being rehearsed reflects the life of those rehearsing this ‘play-within-a-play’. Everyone ultimately loses track of what is real and what is merely being acted out. So what happens when one of the characters tries to take on the life of another? Expect drastic consequences.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM WEDS 2 – SUN 6 AUG
BRIGHTON OPEN AIR THEATRE
A unique and eccentric take on the Shakespearian summer classic, the much-loved local theatre company presents a magical and imaginative production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Featuring swing-dancing fairies, hapless lovers and Albion supporting mechanicals, the production promises an evening of unconventional yet enchanted theatre. “Lord, what fools these mortals be!” Building on last year’s hit Much Ado About Nothing at Brighton Open Air Theatre, not to mention an enchanting tour of 11th century churches with Macbeth, our city’s very own Brighton Shakespeare Company are set to be big news in 2017.
WOTEVER KINGDOM WITH BOI BOX FRI 4 AUG
MARLBOROUGH THEATRE
photo by Picasa
This fantastic pre-Pride party welcomes and respects one and all! Space is created on stage and off for LGBTQ+ by Bar Wotever, welcoming everyone regardless of whatever identity, or multiple identities they choose. Happenings include a variety of Drag Kings & Friends, on tables in various spaces when you least expect it all night long! As well as an array of awesome DJs and Wotever’s very own Queer Fayre - a craft market/indoor boot sale where many meet and sell their ware and collections. Catch the likes of Coco DeVille, Ebony Rose Dark, Crystal Lubrikunt, Adam All & Apple Derrieres, Sammy Silver Benjamin Butch, all hosted by Stella Pint and Naylor Swift from 9pm onwards.
THE LOST WORLD THURS 10 – SAT 12 AUG
BRIGHTON OPEN AIR THEATRE
Led by the formidable Professor Challenger, following on a few scant directions scribbled in a sketch book, the explorers travel to an uncharted plateau in South America where they become involved in tribal warfare between apemen and indigenous humans. Having encountered frightening dinosaurs previously believed to be extinct, their camera destroyed, their options for providing proof of the creatures are becoming limited. What could possibly go wrong when four intrepid explorers bring live specimens of terrifying dinosaurs back to London in ‘unbreakable’ crates? Theatre company, Illyria, have an unmatched reputation for innovation in the open-air touring theatre sector. They’re the first company to take on a show in this genre and to this bold extent - prehistoric thrills, monster laughs and life-size dinosaurs can be expected…
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
Image by Alex Zalewska
photo by Pamela Raith
THEATRE
TUES 15 - SAT 26 AUG
THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON This spectacularly stunning and hilariously funny new production of La Cage Aux Folles has had audiences standing and cheering throughout its first UK tour. Dazzling drag artiste Albin, also known as Za Za, is the star of La Cage Aux Folles and lives an idyllic existence in the heart of St. Tropez with Georges. However, things are about to change for the two when their son Jean-Michel announces his engagement to the daughter of a notorious right-wing politician determined to close down the colourful local night life scene. A meeting of the parents ensues drama and hilarity as it forces them to cover up their vibrant lifestyle.
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
P.29
PLANNER
MAMMA MIA!
TUES 15 AUG - SUN 3 SEPT
THREE MEN IN A BOAT
WEDS 16 AUG
BRIGHTON CENTRE
BRIGHTON OPEN AIR THEATRE
The world’s sunniest and most up-lifting musical, (MAMMA MIA!), comes to the Brighton Centre for the first time ever. There’s never been a better time to join the ultimate feel-good party! Sophie’s search to find the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three contrasting men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding day they’ll never forget. Set in a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is masterfully told through the timeless songs of ABBA. This irresistibly funny show thrills audiences all around the world - a truly unforgettable musical. Whatever your age, you can’t help but have the time of your life and release your inner dancing queen at MAMMA MIA!.
Three men (and a dog) go on the adventure of a lifetime and sail down the River Thames in Ian Kennedy Productions’ unique, fastpaced, quick-witted adaptation of Jerome K Jerome’s iconic classic story. Ever wondered why very few people suffer from sea sickness on land? Or perhaps the advantages of cheese as a travelling companion? Join Jerome, Harris, George and Montmorency as they voyage from from Kingston-upon-Thames to Oxford whilst discussing important topics such as these, encountering a variety of people, places and peculiar maladies.
ROYAL VAUXHALL BY DESMOND O’CONNOR
THE WEDDING SINGER
KOMEDIA
THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON
BRIGHTON OPEN AIR THEATRE
New Jersey’s favourite wedding singer Robbie Hart makes every wedding as disastrous as his own after his fiancée dumps him at the altar.
Earthquakes in London delves into the lives of three sisters and their dysfunctional relationship with their estranged father, a fantastic scientist who predicts global catastrophe. Flicking back and forth through time, this is a fast and furious crash of people, scenes and decades.
TUES 29 AUG
Marking the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death in a shockingly irreverent style, Royal Vauxhall is the best night out in the ‘80s you were never able to attend… until now. 1988’s got London partying hard under the threat of AIDS, the scrutiny of the press and the promise of a summer romance. When Diana dreams of a crazy night out free from unyielding paparazzi and savage royals, Freddie Mercury and Kenny Everett (her unlikely best friends) know that there’s one place and one place only to take her… but how the hell will they get one of the most famous faces in the world into the RVT without blowing her cover?
TUES 29 AUG - SAT 2 SEPT
It’s 1985, hair is huge, greed is good and sweet-natured Julia and her best friend Holly attempt to lure seriously bummed out Robbie out of the dumpster and back into the limelight. But will he just end up seeing her head off down the aisle with Wall Street bad boy Glenn? It seems Grandma Rosie is the only one able to see that the couple meant to be are in fact Robbie and Julia. Capturing all the energy and fun of the Adam Sandler smash hit, it’s a musical crammed with songs guaranteed to get you up and dancing.
EARTHQUAKES IN LONDON
WEDS 30 AUG – SAT 2 SEPT
The eldest sister, Sarah, an environment minister in the newly forms coalition government; the middle child, Freya, a teaching assistant expecting her first baby; the youngest, Jasmine, who’s just been kicked out of university, attempt to navigate their dislocated lives and loves. Earthquakes in London includes burlesque strip shows, bad dreams, social breakdown and population explosion - not to mention worldwide paranoia.
P.30
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
UBU ROI
COMEDY
WED 2 AUG
PLANNER MINDOUT FOR THE LAUGHS WEDS 2 AUGUST
THE BRUNSWICK
ON THE EDGE
KOMEDIA
Us Brightonians can’t get enough of Pride, so join us for a bumper night of pre-Pride entertainment at the hilarious comedy cabaret fundraiser MindOut for the Laughs. MindOut’s work helps those from the local LGBTQ community suffering with mental health issues.
FRI 4 AUG
CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK
FUNNY GIRLS
Hosts for the night, Spice, lend their vocal prowess to the shimmering and glamorous lineup of talent, featuring the outstanding vocals of Laura Nixon as Marilyn Monroe, award winning comedian Zoe Lyons, King of cabaret noir Joe Black, Brighton icon Dolly Rocket, the choral delights of Actually Gay Men’s Chorus - and not forgetting super sharp comedian Debra Jane Appelby. Kickstart your month with this unmissable charity event.
FRI 11 AUG
CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK
ROYAL VAUXHALL DESMONDO’CONNOR TUES 29 AUG
KOMEDIA
BOGAN BINGO FRI 4 AUG
KOMEDIA
BOGAN (Australian): ‘An uncouth or unsophisticated person regarded as being of low social status.’ (Oxford Dictionaries). Usually found sporting a mullet. BINGO: A game usually played by your Nan. But not this time. This time it’s serious. This time it’s more than a game. Mullets, mayhem and mass crowd collaboration come together during this high octane, sell-out smash comedy show. You’ll get the chance to walk away with one of many prizes up for grabs, including free drinks, bar tabs or an amazing holiday from Travel Talk Tours. Their dress code is trailer trash fashion or 80’s passion… This hilarious and chaotic show is one of the best nights in Brighton.
RUSSELL HOWARD SAT 5 - SUN 6 AUG
BRIGHTON DOME
Critically acclaimed comedy superstar Russell Howard is coming to Brighton Dome on his biggest world tour yet following a three-year break from the live stage. He aims to bring you ‘a giggle in the gloom’, lightheartedly and hilariously sharing his views on political and social truths with a lack of subtlety and a whole lot of vibrancy. Russell Howard is one of the best-selling acts in British stand-up and host of smash-hit TV show (Russell Howard’s Good News). This time round he offers a night full of passion, emotion and - of course - fantastic humour.
photo by steve ullathorne
KRATER: ADDY VAN DER BORGH & MORE SAT 19 AUG
KOMEDIA
The engaging and loveable Stephen Grant hosts another fantastic comedy night with the Krater Comedy Club. Alongside him will be the popular and experienced Jeff Innocent, as well as exciting rising star Andrew Bird (not to be confused with the musician!). Bird creates an engaging combination of childhood stories and recent anecdotes, “Effortlessly engaging and funny as hell” (Time Out), his inclusive and relatable style gains him laughs of recognition and shared experiences. Voted the UK’s best live comic of 2016, Jeff Innocent demonstrates hugely likeable, thought-out comedy and shares his honest social viewpoints while sustaining the comedy.
COMEDY
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
P.31
PLANNER
KRATER: ANDREW BIRD & MORE
JO NEARY & FRIENDS
KRATER: ALLYSON JUNE & MORE
KOMEDIA
MON 21 AUG
CAROLINE OF BRUNSWICK
FRI 25 AUG
British comedian, writer, actress and master of the art of creating and sustaining believable characters, Jo Neary, is joined by the likes of Dyball & Kerr, Phil Jerrod and George Egg at the Caroline of Brunswick pub. They’ll bring you a variety of character comedy, sketches, stand-up and intriguing oddities with bags of character, providing an evening overflowing with laughs and energy. Dyball & Kerr are a character comedy duo who have gained a reputation for wellcrafted, high-class sketch performances. Phil Jerrod’s humour is straightforwardly observational as he shares relatable stories of his middle-class background, his working life - and his beard. Internationally acclaimed comedian George Egg brings a surreal and bizarre combination of stand-up comedy and prominent innovation into the mix.
Paul Thorne, Allyson June Smith and Steve Shanyaski form yet another unmissable comedy night from the Krater Comedy Club. Paul Thorne’s provocative topical gags and spontaneous wit, not to mention his surreal comedy songs make him a wonderfully assured performer. Joined by Allyson June Smith who uses her sassy blend of inyour-face stand-up as well as hilariously insightful commentary to create excellent performances that never fail to make her audiences laugh. Steve Shanyaski provides whirlwind performances and thrilling routines which have constantly proven a hit, the key to his act being his energy and silliness. The evening is MC’d by dynamic observational stand-up comedian Damian Clark, whose infectious energy and childlike outlook has his audiences in hysterics from the get-go.
The engaging and loveable Stephen Grant hosts another fantastic comedy night with the Krater Comedy Club. Alongside him will be the popular and experienced Jeff Innocent, as well as exciting rising star Andrew Bird (not to be confused with the musician!). Bird creates an engaging combination of childhood stories and recent anecdotes, “Effortlessly engaging and funny as hell” (Time Out), his inclusive and relatable style gains him laughs of recognition and shared experiences.
SIR KEN DODD
Image © Pete Betts
Voted the UK’s best live comic of 2016, Jeff Innocent demonstrates hugely likeable, thought-out comedy and shares his honest social viewpoints while sustaining the comedy.
SUN 27 AUG
THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON
KOMEDIA
JOE PASQUALE
KRATER: MC MIKE GUNN & MORE
PAVILION THEATRE, WORTHING
KOMEDIA
THURS 31 AUG
Presented by a true comedy genius and his guests, come and enjoy Sir Ken Dodd’s famous Happiness Show and you’ll be utterly discumknockerated (that’s Knotty ash for ‘over the moon’) by a truly tattifelarious (fun-filled) evening of laughter and music from ballads to opera. Ken Dodd was made Sir Ken in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List.
Continuing to delight audiences with his live stand-up, Joe Pasquale shows off his good side, his dark side and his back side in this description defying show. He’s been searching for the fabled ancient merkin of Macedonia, once owned by Genghis Khan’s Nan, who used to wear it for special occasions - if she was popping to Lidl on the way home, for example.
The Master of Mirth, he is a comedian of legendary status - an icon and a national treasure who’s been entertaining audiences for a lifetime of laughter and happiness. Sir Ken Dodd knows his audiences and always gives his audiences what they want most, bringing laughs and cheerfulness from beginning to end.
Watch Joe Pasquale explain the mysteries of why the four horsemen of the apocalypse will arrive on My Little Ponies, or what exactly was held by Action Man’s gripping hands. Pasquale is one of the most hardworking and top-selling comedians in British comedy today, so be sure not to miss this eccentric and unforgettable performance
Pictured - Rich Wilson
SAT 19 AUG
FRI 1 SEPT
Krater Comedy Club delivers yet another set of brilliant comics. MC’d by one of the most sought- after and accomplished comedians in the UK, Mike Gunn, whose original talent - distinguished by his trademark, to the point and lugubrious dark humour, killer punch lines and exemplary delivery - sent him performing sell-out shows around the globe. Presenting Rich Wilson, one of the country’s finest comedians who has the unique ability to tame the toughest audiences with his commanding presence and impeccable timing. The highly entertaining comedy duo Raymond & Mr Timpkins bless the stage with their contagiously animated energy, while Daliso Chaponda (who came third in this year’s Britain’s Got Talent) explores familiar topics with a cynical yet extremely enjoyable tone.
Photo by Pelle Crépin
BN1'S GUIDE TO SUMMER FESTIVALS
L A V I T S E F E D I U G BOARDMASTERS WED 9 – SUN 13 AUG NEWQUAY, CORNWALL WWW.BOARDMASTERS.CO.UK
If there is one thing that can make a good festival great, it's the addition of the lovely location of the seaside! Cornwall based festival, Boardmasters, is back again this year to bring its annual dose of music and camping fun to Watergate Bay. This festival is unique in the fact that the regular festival goodness is held at one location, then a load of exciting beach activities including surfing, skating and sunset music performances are held at the nearby location of Fistral Beach. This is the beach where it all began back in 1981, with the festival transforming it into a vibrant and spirited place, where festival goers can watch crazy surfing competitions or relax by the Beach Bar with some sizzling food from the Beach Bar barbecue. There's even yoga on the beach if you are feeling a more relaxed and nourishing experience, what could be more ideal? Some big names are coming to the coast this year including Two Door Cinema Club, Alt-J, Stormzy, Slaves and loads more to keep all music lovers satisfied. If you’re not into any of that, why not head down to the Keg and Pasty for, of course, a pint and a Cornish pasty?
BESTIVAL
THU 7 – SUN 10 SEP LULWORTH CASTLE, DORSET
SHAMBALA
THU 24 – SUN 27 AUG SECRET COUNTRY ESTATE,NORTHAMPTONSHIRE WWW.SHAMBALAFESTIVAL.ORG
This intimate four-day festival brings a creative and diverse twist to British festivals. Shambala is a place for all ages and really is like no other. The festival has over 200 various musical acts, as well as inspirational talks and debates this year involving topics of privilege, feminism and activism. With so many colourful stages to explore on your journey from the old shack of Madame Bayou to the Botanical Disco, there will be many more light-hearted events taking place – not to mention circus and theatre performances, drag bingo, cabaret and even instrument making. Shambala is not only well-known for being described as a “legendary party”, but is committed to being an environmentally-friendly festival, having won the European Festival Awards’ ‘Green Operations’ award in 2016. Not only this, but in the past five years they have reduced the on-site carbon footprint of the festival by 81 percent! Shambala also provides food with strict ethics around sourcing produce, now supplying an entirely vegetarian menu. Big on going green and so much more than just the music, you’d be mad to miss out on Shambala!
WWW.FESTICKET.COM/BESTIVAL/FESTIVAL
The award-winning boutique festival is back again this year - but in a new location. Having been based on the Isle of Wight since its inception, Bestival will now be located in the enchanting countryside of Lulworth Estate in Dorset. Despite the change in location, its original wonderland of destinations such as the Ambient Forest, Bollywood and HMS Bestival will all be there as well as some exciting new areas too. Bestival plans to bring just as much flamboyancy and its immersive atmosphere as any other year. Bestival’s divine sprinkle of magic is the product of music specialist Rob da Bank along with wife Josie, who both had a vision to create their idea of the modern-day festival. It's Rob's job to ensure the line-up is even more extensive each year, while Josie is the woman responsible for creating the captivating atmosphere. Together their work is one that seems to pull festival attendees back year after year. Along with fantastic acts like The XX, Rag’n’Bone Man, Lucy Rose and old favourites Pet Shop Boys performing on various stages throughout the weekend, this festival ticks off everything you could want from a festival. Plus, as part of their green initiative, if you cycle to the festival they’ll give you a free ticket.... so get training!
Photo by Guy Lowndes
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
END OF THE ROAD
THU 31 AUGUST - SUN 3 SEPT LARMER TREE GARDENS, DORSET WWW.ENDOFTHEROADFESTIVAL.COM
Alongside their authentic take on how festivals and music should be, what adds to EOTR's charm is its cinema, showing old favourites like the quirky Twin Peaks, as well as the film that stole everybody's heart last year Moonlight. There will also be some literature to feast your senses on, including story readings, meetings with writers and singer/songwriters, and even life drawing sessions for those wanting to harvest their creativity here. This quaint festival is sure to give you an experience to leave you longing for more.
MAMMOTHFEST WED 6 – FRI 8 OCT BRIGHTON WWW.MAMMOTHFEST.UK
Mammothfest, Brighton’s very own rock and metal festival is back for three days this October, hosting over 50 bands across 2 live stages on an absolutely killer lineup. Taking place at The Arch, right on Brighton beach, there’s set to be UK exclusive performances from Rotting Christ, Tsjuder, Fleshgod Apocalype and Amenra along with Dragged Into Sunlight, Akercocke, Lawnmower Deth, Vodun and many more. These incredibly hard-working heavy metallers promise to bring us a stunningly heavy weekend to end your festival season in style! VIP weekend tickets are already sold out after a year of record sales, so although it’s a few months away, you’ll need to grab your tickets now. Don’t miss out - see you in the pit!
Photo by Kristian Sibast
2017 brings us another year of End of the Road festival, the festival created by two determined friends with a shared dream and love of music. EOTR has never been about what's 'hot', but rather which bands excite the organisers – however, great songwriting has always been a key value. This festival claims to be serious about its sounds, with talents such as Mac DeMarco, Father John Misty and The Jesus & Mary Chain performing over the weekend. This beautiful woodland festival will also be hosting some popular comedy acts like BAFTA nominees Cardinal Burns and a podcast from Adam Buxton, who will be joined by a host of comedy guests.
WILDERNESS
THU 3 – SUN 6 AUG CORNBURY PARK, OXFORDSHIRE WWW.WILDERNESSFESTIVAL.COM
Enter the realm of the wild and be at one with nature. It’s just what it says on the tin, and that's where you'll be - in the Wilderness. This dreamy but wild weekend is arguably more of an outdoor retreat than a festival, set by a lake for those wanting a daytime swim in the sunshine or even a cheeky skinny dip in the moonlight, as well as Tai Chi and spiritual workshops for those wanting to get in touch with their inner Zen. If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, Wilderness will more than satisfy your needs with archery sessions, fly-fishing and even a chance to gather your own fresh and local food. The main stage have teamed up with BBC music this year to present some impressive names such as Grace Jones, Bonobo and Louis Berry. In the soulful amphitheatre, The Valley, eclectic DJs will be taking the stage including Eats Everything, Artwork and Jackmaster. This colourful wonderland of a festival will transport you to another dimension and help you simultaneously relax and party. Enter with an open mind and you're guaranteed an unforgettable experience.
P.33
Family things to do: August 2017
Photographer Piet-Hein Out
The school year is finally over! Though this has the kids jumping for joy, trying to fill the six weeks with activities enjoyable for the whole family (without breaking the bank) can seem an impossible feat. Luckily for residents of Brighton & Hove, we are spoilt for choice. Our city caters for all, with activities for lovers of art, history, music, sport, and anything in between. This article will give you some ideas and hopefully spark others to keep everyone in the family happy throughout August.
Zippos Circus
When: Fri 25 Aug - Sun 3 Sept Where: Hove Lawns, Kingsway What: Zippos big top tour returns with a heart-stopping performance of Jigit. Zippo brings back the old school feel of the
knee-knocking, shock-inducing hilarity of The Circus. Thankfully tigers, lions and elephants are a thing of the past, but the traditional wonder of the circus remains - you won’t be disappointed. With amazing reviews from one and all, you’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t get to see them this August. This dizzying show includes fan favourites Khadikov Cossack riders, the globe of death, knife throwers, jugglers, the Timbuktu Tumbers and many more acts to ensure you leave with your eyes wide with awe and your head full of mind-blowing memories. One for all the family, this is an event not to be missed. Price: £10.50 - £27.50 (adults) / £9 - £21.50 (kids)
Street Food and Makers Market When: Sat 12 Aug, 11am - 5pm Where: Brighthelm Centre What: This is the second of three summer events held
at the Brighthelm Centre, combining an extensive range of yummy street food, arts and crafts, face painting, vintage fashion and jewellery and much more for all the family to enjoy. Located in the heart of Brighton, this is the perfect day out to explore local independent sellers, grab some delicious food and (fingers crossed) enjoy the beautiful sunshine while listening to some live performances from local musicians. The event will also be raising funds for Chestnut Tree House, with 10% of all tea and coffee sales from the pop-up cafes going directly to the foundation.
Lagoon Watersports When: Sundays throughout Aug Where: Hove Lagoon, Kingsway What: The folks down at Lagoon Watersports
know the importance of keeping fit while having fun during the summer, and provide different experience for all ages. From family fun days to activity weeks for kids and teens with loads of different watersports for all levels, fully-trained and licensed staff provide full instruction to make sure everyone has a great and safe day. With the UK’s unpredictable weather in mind, if the right conditions do present themselves the instructors will take you out to sea for a different experience. Decked out with excellent facilities such as hot showers, changing rooms and a cafe offering excellent coffee and BBQ food, this is sure to be a firm favourite with everyone in the family. Price: Ranging from Adults £45 / Children £30 (with family discount code) / Activity weeks starting from £320
Brighton & Hove Museums When: All year round, with special events taking place throughout August. Where: Royal Pavilion, Brighton Museum, Hove Museum, Preston Manor and Booth Museum What: Brighton & Hove residents (BN1, BN2, BN3 or BN4) and students studying at Brighton or Sussex University can enjoy reduced/free admission to the city’s museums all year round. Our museums stage fantastic exhibitions and displays like the Soaring Seagulls, a celebration of our mighty Brighton & Hove Albion FC’s achievement of securing promotion to the Premier League. This pop-up display includes memorabilia, programs and newspaper clippings dating back to when the team was first relegated 20 years ago. Not a football fan? Don’t fret, the Booth Museum specialises in natural history think birds, bones and butterflies. As well as viewing the exhibitions, kids can get hands-on in the interactive discovery lab, talk to curatorial staff and volunteers, and help take care of the 2 million artefacts in the collection.
Enchanted Forest Workshop and Twilight Picnic When: Mon 7 - Wed 9 Aug 10.30am - 12.30pm (workshop) / Wed 9 Aug – 6.30pm - 7.45pm (picnic)
Where: Theatre Royal Brighton
What: Fantastic creative workshops will see the kids create lanterns, sun prints, rainbow catchers and beautiful paper cut pictures out of recycled and natural materials, both to take home and add to the Enchanted Forest installation and fairytale trail outside Theatre Royal Brighton. Take part in these fantastic workshops with guidance from special artists bringing the magic of the theatre to New Road. Travel through the beautiful Enchanted Forest created by Brighton’s budding artists while on your Twilight Picnic trip. Share stories, sing songs and explore hidden parts of the theatre on your journey to the secret picnic spot to enjoy your complimentary picnic bag. Price: Workshops £10 per session (3 for £25) / Twilight Picnic £8.50
Photographer Piet-Hein Out
Brighton Zip Wire When: Opens Tue 1 Aug Where: Beside Palace Pier What: Brighton’s beloved big wheel is being replaced with new twin zip wires stretching 300m along the beautiful seafront.
Definitely not for the faint of heart, this zip wire reaches 22m high above the pebbled beach, which seems a lot higher as you ascend the 90 steps to the top of a distinctiveHelter Skelter themed tower, providing a thrill seeking experience for all ages. If this still isn’t enough for the adrenaline junkies, a second attraction allows daredevils to enjoy a free-fall sensation by stepping off a platform and falling for moments to be caught by safety equipment called the Drop Zone. Both activities will leave you wanting more. A cafe and shop are also planned to be built to provide a whole day experience, so whether you’re zip-lining, free-falling or just watching, you can still enjoy an exciting day out. The attraction is currently not taking prior bookings to reduce the risk of queues, as the whole experience takes roughly 20 minutes while riders are briefed and harnessed. Price: £16 (single) / £30 (dual ride)
CINEM A
RELE AS
ES Art By Simeon Aston
L AT E S T
By Kieran Graves
AMERICAN MADE FRI 25 AUG Calling all Narcos fans: this is the film for you. Starring Hollywood heavyweight Tom Cruise as pilot, drug smuggler and informant Barry Seal, this biographic crime thriller tracks the exploits of the Medellín Cartel in the height of the ‘80s. To add to an already impressive back catalogue including both the Mission Impossible and Bourne film franchises, Cruise reunites once again with Edge of Tomorrow director Doug Liman in his latest venture. Drawing on the pair’s proven success rates, American Made is set to be a dramatic and action-packed illustration of the dangers, tensions and riches that come from being a double agent in a drug-fuelled underworld.
THE NUT JOB 2 : NUTTY BY NATURE
FRI 18 AUG
One for the kids (and big kids) this time. Featuring the superstar voices of Will Arnett, Kathryn Heigl, Maya Rudolph and Jackie Chan, Open Road Films brings us the sequel to 2014’s The Nut Job, which surpassed $120 million at the global box office upon its release – the biggest ever opening for an independent animated film. With Oakton City’s mayor looking to destroy the park in order to build a dysfunctional amusement park, the animals must band together to save their homes. Led by Surly the squirrel (Arnett) and his new friend Mr Feng (Chan), the plan is simple: take back the park - by any means necessary.
ANNABELLE: CREATION FRI 11 AUG The divine master of horror James Wan now brings us the latest chapter in the Conjuring universe with Annabelle: Creation. As the fourth film in this series, the American supernatural scarefest will serve as a prequel to 2014’s Annabelle, and promises to reveal the origins behind the possessed doll that has been lingering at the back of every nightmare since you saw the first film. The trailer alone has the ability to send shivers down your spine, so prepare yourself for sleepless nights if you see the whole thing – undoubtedly through the gaps in your fingers. Though, for a true horror film you want nothing less. Save the rom-coms for another night…
6 DAYS FRI 4 AUG Some may remember the dramatic siege of Iran’s London Embassy in 1980, which saw six armed men storm the building and take 26 people hostage. Director Toa Fraser brings us a dramatic reconstruction of the fateful week which saw a nation fight back. Shot on location near the Embassy itself, this film follows the perspectives of hostage negotiator Max Vernon (Mark Strong), BBC reporter Kate Adie (Abbie Cornish), and SAS assault team leader Rusty Firmin (Jamie Bell) as they work to gain a resolution as this action-packed depiction of the true events unfolds.
P.38
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
TV GUIDE By Kieran Graves
MARVEL’S THE DEFENDERS FRI 18 AUG NETFLIX Having seen the success of the superhero movie from the likes of Paramount Studios, Netflix have decided to get in on the excitement with their very own action-packed originals series Luke Cage, Daredevil, Iron Fist and Jessica Jones. Now much like their feature-length Hollywood counterparts, the ever-expanding Marvel universe brings together a collection of heroes and heroines to form one ultimate crimefighting team: enter The Defenders. With a heavier soundtrack including Nirvana’s Come As You Are and a tonally darker look than we’re used to in superhero movies, though still recognisably ‘Marvel’, the new Netflix series looks to bridge the gap between The Avengers and DC-based Suicide Squad.
STRIKE THIS AUGUST BBC 1 Choosing to write under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith in order to escape expectation and critique, J.K. Rowling returned to our bookshelves with her Cormoran Strike series of crime fiction novels. After much success and excitement, the BBC are now bringing it to our screens. The Strike series will consist of three parts, each based upon a separate book. First will be the three-part The Cuckoos Calling this month, followed by The Silkworm and Career of Evil. The BBC have confirmed that the leading cast will star Tom Burke as war veteran turned private detective Cormoran Strike, accompanied on screen by Holliday Grainger as detective assistant Robin Ellacott.
WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: TEN YEARS LATER FRI 4 AUG NETFLIX The 2001 comedy cult classic Wet Hot American Summer, starring famous names including Paul Rudd, Joe Lo Truglio, Bradley Cooper and Parks and Recreation star Amy Poehler returns to Netflix this month. Promising to be “ten years hotter and ten years wetter” (though no more mature), the new eight-part mini-series is set to fulfil the pledge Ben (Cooper) made in the original for the cast to meet up in the future to see where time has taken them. Chock-full of nostalgia, awkwardness and the over-the-top exploitation of cinematic tropes, this series will throw you back to the glory days of the ‘80s and now ‘90s at Camp Firewood in this cringe-worthy laugh-a-minute extravaganza.
RAY DONOVAN WED 16 AUG SKY ATLANTIC With a trailer featuring a telling first glimpse of dangerous-looking Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, this captivating crime drama returns, now on its fifth series. Liev Schreiber returns to his two-time Emmy-nominated role as the man you run to whenever things go wrong. The brooding thriller, focussed around LA’s best professional fixer, looks to be ramping things up a notch this season as tensions reach breaking point and family becomes more involved. This time, things are getting personal.
SOYLFOO
FOODBAR
£5 Soulfoo
Philly Cheese Burger Deal!
Open 12:00 - 22:00 Tue-Sun 2 St. James Street BN2 1RE, Brighton, 01273 607607
Offer valid until the end of August 2017
The unique taste of Soulfoo is a combination inspired by African, Afro American and Caribbean foods and spices...
LATEST GAMING RELEASES By Kieran Graves
UNCHARTED: THE LOST LEGACY WED 23 AUG PLAYSTATION 4 Instantly inciting memories of Ubisoft’s highly successful Lara Croft franchise, market leaders Naughty Dog now offer up a fresh playable female lead character comparable to our Tomb Raider heroine as they release their fifth instalment from the Uncharted universe. The new third person action-adventure promises yet another immersive narrative from the Last of Us creators as you take on the persona of Chloe Frazer (voiced by Claudia Black), attempting to seek out the Tusk of Ganesh in the high mountain of India. Finding support from Chloe’s sidekick Nadine Ross (Laura Bailey), players are required to choose between stealth and hand-to-hand combat as they fight, climb and puzzle their way through a country in the midst of a civil war to uncover the illusive artefact.
F1 2017 FRI 25 AUG
PLAYSTATION 4, XBOX ONE, PC
With the real-life racing season really heating up and the fight between Ferrari and Mercedes, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton drawing blows, why not pull your racing gloves on, put yourself in the driving seat and throw yourself straight into the height of the action. Always looking to push the boundaries of technology and now building upon last year’s feedback, developers of the Formula 1 games, Codemasters, are bringing you the most realistic and open experience of being a racing driver to date. Now offering playable female avatars and improved personalisation in Career Mode, this is set to be the most lifelike simulation yet. Pit yourself against the rest as you race the professionals to pole position – all from the comfort of your living room.
SONIC MANIA TUE 15 AUG
NINTENDO SWITCH
In 1991, SEGA changed the world and defined our childhoods with a single blue hedgehog. Sonic has since been brought into the 21st century with sharper and more vibrant graphics each and every time - though, to the detriment of the franchise’s founding details. Now, in a celebration uniting past, present and future Sonic, SEGA tap into the nostalgic pixelated memories of our youth to create an all new 2D adventure. Featuring three playable characters - Sonic, Tails and Knuckles - players can look forward to a reimagining of the traditional zones, acts and boss battles in the original pixel-style art as they collect those golden rings - just like the old times.
MARIO AND RABBIDS KINGDOM BATTLE TUE 29 AUG NINTENDO SWITCH Two of Nintendo’s favourite worlds clash in one epic game to form Mario and Rabbids Kingdom Battle. Featuring all the classic fan favourites such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad and Yoshi, not to mention masses of the dim-witted and ever so slightly evil little Rabbids as imposters - plus a giant hybrid of Donkey Kong and a Rabbid? Kingdom Battle is sure to provide hours of fun for all the family as you fight you way through chaotic hordes of those furry white opponents.
101 St James's St, Brighton, BN2 1TP
BLOCK
Review by Ellie Talebian Block, situated on Kemptown’s lively St James’s Street is a stylish multipurpose venue designed to eat, drink and dance in. Staying true to the form of its predecessor Neighbourhood, the basement boasts a luxury intimate club style space perfect for private parties and post-dinner debauchery. Back upstairs, a beautiful, immaculate, well-stocked bar dominates the ground floor with ample dining space. Block clearly understands that ‘simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication’, and whilst there are unusual and curious nods to its owner’s love of fashion and the grandiose, these remain well-balanced and in keeping with its style. I visited Block on a Friday evening for a dinner date with my partner. As it was a beautiful balmy evening, we decided to dine outside and were pleased to see that the garden at Block had received just as much care and attention in the recent refurbishment. Here, they offer a clever menu that stays on trend and plays host exclusively to Brighton’s only Bertha oven - meaning the food is either grilled or smoked at a high temperature to capitalise on its natural flavours. Putting our faith in the management’s extensive knowledge of the menu, we let him choose our starters of Blackened Octopus (£9), Scallops in half shell (£8) and Ox Cheek Croquettes (£7.50). For our mains we chose Short Rib (£16) and Sirloin (£16) accompanied by Hand cut Fries (£3.50) and and Pumpkin Squash (£3). It’s also worth noting they also offer a Flat Iron Steak for an absolute steal at only £10.
Pleasurably, when our food arrived it was as well presented as our surroundings, beautifully cooked and vibrant. The portion of seared scallops included delicately placed salty bacon, served with a flavoursome sauce to complement them wonderfully. Having never tried octopus before, I was eager to get involved. Topped with delicious baby artichokes and poole bay clam broth which really brought it together, the octopus was a dish that definitely came through for me. It was even better than expected - and I have it on good authority from my dining partner that the Ox Cheek was very tasty indeed. Our mains followed in hot pursuit and did not disappoint. My partner’s Short Rib was cooked to perfection and accompanied by savoy cabbage, which much to my enjoyment had received the magic ‘Bertha’ treatment and tasted absolutely incredible. The steak, cooked exactly to order, was juicy and paired with the very best chips, which as my partner so eloquently put it were ‘proper dirty chips’ - meaning pretty delicious. The Pumpkin Squash also offered an unexpected dimension of vigour to our meals. As for desserts, we chose Chocolate Brownie (£6) and Cheesecake (£6). A delight for all the senses, these were sensuously indulgent, double naughty and served with flair and originality - but the brownie, oozy and divine, was undeniably the star of the show. Block boasts a fantastic selection of wines and craft beers, and the staff are full of knowledge in which wines best suit the dishes on offer. A smooth Malbec to match our order was recommended to us - a match that perhaps turned out to be a little too good, as I managed to sink down most of bottle over the course of our meal – whoops. Being in the know about Block is like being in on a very special Brighton secret. In fact, I’m hesitant to publish a review that would compromise the intimacy of one of my favourite Friday night hangouts. The layout of the venue means that even when it’s busy, it’s never too busy to kick back and enjoy everything it has to offer. I simply love how it feels like you could be anywhere in the world when you’re actually within walking distance to centre of the city. As we stumbled out of Block and into the night it was obvious we had had a wonderful time. And perhaps a little too much fun! With an ambient vibe and a dedicated team of servers at the heart of service, Block is the perfect place for what feels like - but most definitely isn’t - an ‘off the track’ night out.
PASCERE Review by Henna Malik
It was 6pm on a Tuesday evening, and after weeks of gorgeous sunshine the heavens finally opened. Luckily for us, we were able to take shelter in the charming establishment that is Pascere. Welcomed by owner Amanda, the warm atmosphere and elegant design immediately made itself apparent. Wellplaced lamps cast a glow across the teal and golden ochre colour scheme of the restaurant’s interior. Cosy velvet seating and unobtrusive, perfectly set tables left me feeling as though I’d stepped into the combined classiness and quirk of a Wes Anderson movie.
Between a cosy corner by the window (perfect for date night) or larger tables in the centre (perfect for a dinner with friends and family), Amanda also offered us seats upstairs – tall, luxury velvet barstools at the pass – how could we refuse the best seats in the house? Glancing around, it was easy to see how well thought-out Pascere was, every single minute element of the space used in the best way possible. We began with an organic Spanish white, Gran Cerdo (£25), recommended by our server, Rosie. Fresh, fruity and zesty, we enjoyed this one with a couple of small plates to whet our appetites. First was a dish of butternut squash served three ways: butternut crackers, butternuts remoulade and butternut purée. This imaginative dish was a joy to eat. Second, we enjoyed stout and treacle breads accompanied by butter whipped with muscovado sugar. Soft and warm, the breads were a delight to devour with butter melting atop. When my starter of pan fried scallop with burnt silver skin onions and smoked roe (£11) arrived, I realised immediately just how much attention had been paid to composition and colour, a detail in every dish that made enormous impact. In its rustic, roasted colours, the scallop was juicy and delicious, the bed of braised baby gem tucked underneath soft while retaining its satisfying crunch. Every element worked in perfect balance and no ingredient overpowered another. A lover of all things cute, I particularly enjoyed the tiny baby onions. My dining partner’s beef cheek tortellini with mushroom purée (£10) was equally delicious. Light and dainty, with ox cheek consommé and delicate waferthin radish garnish, it was a gorgeous dish. My main of pan fried stone bass with roasted onions, wild mushroom and sea vegetables (£18.50) was cooked to perfection. It was a beautiful, juicy hunk of fish, and the ideal size too. The vibrant green seaweed was incredibly fresh; I enjoyed the unusual texture and it felt so healthy. My partner equally enjoyed chicken breast and roasted leg with baby carrots, carrot fregola and hay mayonnaise (£17.50). The tiny, bead-shaped fregola pasta really stood out – something I’d never tried before. We watched the chefs prep our desserts, torn between peeking or keeping our eyes shut in excitement for the finale. These carefully composed works of art stole the show for me. My lavender curd (£8) with shards of blueberry meringue disguised a blueberry and parma violet sorbet nostalgia-bomb - cracking the meringue open revealed that unforgettable violet explosion. My partner’s chocolate mousse with malted milk ice cream and chocolate tuile (£7.50) shone a chocolatey sheen, hiding a tasty biscuity layer underneath. In front of the open kitchen, every dish presented to us by Head Chef Johnny, sitting on the pass made the whole experience feel so intimate and authentic. Pascere’s ambitious and talented team of chefs produced an array of impressive dishes of which I only wish I could have tried them all.
Find Pascere at 8 Duke St, Brighton, open seven days a week. Call 01273 917949 to book your table today. www.pascere.co.uk
Pascere have done particularly well to spot a gap in the market where not many restaurants sell every wine by the glass (notably sparkling wines). Owner Amanda says diners should be able to pair wines with dishes to get the best from both – something I absolutely stand with. Pascere also offer small plates and tasting menus, as well as an exciting brunch menu offering much more than the usual avocado on toast. It’s great to see something different and for this reason I believe Pascere will thrive. Based in the pedestrianised area of Duke Street with a fantastic outside terrace, it’d be all too easy to while away a summer afternoon here with good friends, an assortment of small plates shared and a chilled glass of something bubbly. Perfect.
P.43
Images by Xavier Clarke
The Walrus
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
Review by Lucy Hallett Change isn't always a good thing. I remember being a young girl, and inspired by some eminently peppy and saccharine-sweet pop star I decided to unceremoniously lop off all of my long blonde hair. I ended up looking like a cross between Friar Tuck and a serial killer, and subsequently spent many a night praying for the return of my boring but lengthy locks. But often, change is an excellent thing. This is most certainly true of Smugglers’ frankly phenomenal metamorphosis into The Walrus. Smugglers, of Ship Street, was a part of our city for a very long time. Its walls told many a story of drunken escapades and raucous games of pool. What always struck me though was what a great space it had, especially as it also housed The Loft club upstairs, and it seems I wasn't the only one to notice its potential. After nearly a year of solid renovations, and new owners The Walrus burst onto the Brighton scene on the 8th of June. Even walking around is an experience in itself. Downstairs has a luxurious feel with an abundance of Persian carpets, beautiful old photography and deep blue and green hues. A trip upstairs reveals a dining room to rival some of the best restaurants in Brighton. The clean and light space is filled with immaculately laid tables, chandeliers and sparkling glassware. A further bar is the prize at the end of the hallway - but the pièce de résistance has to be the stunning roof terrace where sunlight pours in and illuminates the white walls and hundreds of flowers. The menu reads like a homage to all that is fresh and seasonal. It was genuinely hard to choose between the dishes, but we opted for starter of Smashed Avocado accompanied by beetroot humous, toasted hazelnuts
10 Ship Street, Brighton, BN1 1AD and coriander flat bread (£5.50) and the Quail Scotch Eggs, one with chorizo on a smoked tomato salsa and the other haggis on a celeriac remoulade (£5.25). The smashed avocado interlaced with red onion and was wonderfully seasoned, and though I’ve never been a fan of beetroot I was shocked to find that the humous was creamy and flavoursome. The freshly made flatbreads had a crunch that contrasted perfectly with the smooth textures of the avocado and beetroot. The whole dish was fresh-tasting and light. The scotch eggs were crunchy little spheres of gorgeousness. The chorizo had a fantastic spicy kick which was nicely neutralised by the juiciness of the tomatoes, and the haggis was incredibly moreish and matched perfectly with the celeriac. Again, another fresh tasting winner from The Walrus. Mains were equally difficult to choose, but after much to-ing and fro-ing and with the help of our lovely server Tyler, we picked the Seared Sea Trout with shaved fennel, beetroot, squash purée and steamed mussels (£14.75) and the Posh Lamb Kebab which was a sumac and pomegranate marinated shoulder of lamb, buttermilk aioli, summer slaw and naan bread (£13.75). The trout, which was gluten-free along with the vast majority of the mains menu, and absolutely delicious. The fennel was added sparingly and perfectly enhanced the trout's delicate flavour, while the mussels added an additional dimension and combined surprisingly well with the squash. As with our starters, the overwhelming sense was one of seasonality and freshness; I haven't eaten a main as light
as this for quite a while. For the meat lovers, the posh kebab was the perfect choice. The meat has clearly been marinaded to succulent perfection and the slaw provided perfect balance. I was tempted to roll up the naan and eat it like a savage, but I resisted the temptation. Perhaps next time... It's odd how no matter how much food I’ve consumed I can always find some tiny little pocket of space to fit in dessert - especially when I spotted a Dark and White Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream and popping candy (£5.75) on the menu. The brownie had achieved that unctuous soft state that only the best brownies can do, and the delicate vanilla ice cream was the perfect partner in calorific crime. After not only an exceptionally fine dining experience, but also wandering around the lovely and well thought-out space, it is impossible to imagine The Walrus becoming anything less than the newest star in Brighton's sky.
P.44
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
LAURA PETERSEN H E A D P A S T R Y C H E F A T T H E S A LT R O O M by Henna Malik Laura Petersen is the extremely talented Head Pastry Chef at the awardwinning Salt Room restaurant in Brighton. At only 23 years old, she’s worked in the kitchen of Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, and more recently at Dan Barber’s Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Now based at The Salt Room, Laura is Brighton’s only Head Pastry Chef. Laura has carved the way in terms of personnel expansion at The Salt Room, whilst acting as executive for the restaurants older sibling, The Coal Shed.
When did you realise you wanted to become a pastry chef? “During my gap year before going to study fashion I landed a job at The Ginger Pig in Hove and discovered a passion for pastry being a nice skill and one where I could input my creativity. From there on it is a discipline that I have crafted my passion in.” Where do you look for inspiration when creating new dishes? “Seasonal food is my first go to, and takes on things that I like to eat as it always comes across better. Things that have nostalgic memories and childhood favourites and interpret into a playful dessert, such as my Eton ‘no mess’where you make the mess yourself.” How many attempts does it take to perfect a dish before it makes the menu? “Sometimes I can hit the nail on the head first time. Other times it may take a few drafts. We always host a tasting with the team to get everyone’s feedback on a new dish and their criticisms - which I have to take on board!” Who do you look up to the most in the restaurant industry? “Angela Harnett, as she is a strong woman who got to where she wanted by cooking food with no fuss. I really want to go and eat at her restaurant when I move to our new restaurant, The Coal Shed in London.” What was it like to work for Raymond Blanc? “I worked a week’s work experience with his team at Le Manoir. It was daunting as it was only the second kitchen that I had stepped into, but I learnt how to organise a kitchen to run like clockwork! He looks after his team really well to get the best results. I was lucky enough to eat at the end with my parents, which was a memorable experience.” What struggles have you come across as a young chef? “The hours are very long, and when a lot of my friends were students going out all the time I was always working double shifts, bank holidays and weekends. So a balance of work and social life can be hard. But it is all worth it in the end.”
“If it is seriously something that you want to do, then believe in yourself and use every opportunity that comes your way to learn and better yourself.” Photo by Paul Winch-Furness
Laura achieved 3rd place in 2016 Chocolate Dessert of the Year, while her inventive take on British seaside classics, incorporating nougat, candy floss, ice cream and doughnuts, culminates in her Taste of the Pier, of which over 10,000 have been sold in less than two years known as Brighton’s ‘most Instagrammable dessert.’
“Every day is a school day - you are constantly learning new skills. Also - make it nice or make it twice!”
"MAKE IT NICE OR MAKE IT TWICE"
eastern eye TH SOU INDIAN CUISINE
GROUP BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN 01273 685151 OPENING TIMES Mon-Tues: 18:00 - 23:00 Wed-Thurs: 12:00 - 14:00 18:00 - 23:00 And what advice would you give to other young chefs looking for success? “If it is seriously something that you want to do, then believe in yourself and use every opportunity that comes your way to learn and better yourself.” What's on the cards for the future? “I am very excited to be taking the lead of pastry at our new site to open in October at One Tower Bridge. It is going to be a new The Coal Shed, and we are very excited to be taking my desserts to London.” Finally - what is your dream dessert? “Tart au Citron, the perfect balance of sweet and sour. Ironically I don’t like things that are too sweet!”
www.saltroom-restaurant.co.uk @thesaltroombrighton @laurapetersenpastry
Fri: 12:00 - 14:00 18:00 - 23:30 Sat: 12:30 - 15:30 18:00 - 23:30
EASTERN EYE 58 LONDON ROAD BRIGHTON, BN1 4JE
P.46
BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK
1
QUICK CROSSWORD 2
8
3
4
5
6
7
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 20
21
22
23
24
25
Across
Down
1 Fear of spiders (13) ACROSS
1 Someone who checks accounts (7 DOWN
8 Probability / miscellaneous pieces (4)
2 Intentional fire damage (5)
1 Fear of spiders (13) 1 Someone who checks accounts (7) 9 Senior clergyman 3 Low-growing evergreen shrub / g 8 Probability / miscellaneous pieces(in (4) Canterbury?) (10) 2 Intentional fire damage (5) 9 Senior clergyman (in Canterbury?) (10) 3 Low-growing evergreen name shrub (7) / girl's name (7) 1010 Foul Foul smell (6)smell (6) 4 Very rarely (4,2,1,4,4) 11 Doomed (3-5) 5 Walk with a4limp (6) rarely (4,2,1,4,4) Very Doomed 1211 Relating to the king(3-5) who presided over the Round Table (9) 6 Passive observer (9) 14 Day in March on which Julius Caesar was killed (4) 7 Slender black whitewith wadersa(7)limp (6) 5 and Walk Relating to/ traffic the king who presided over 1512 Ice cream receptacle bollard (4) 13 Mass of cells in a beehive where food is stored for the winter / 16 Go into more detail (9)Table (9) middle of Crunchie (9) the Round 6 Passive observer (9) 20 Wife of Orpheus (8) 15 Two successive lines of verse which rhyme with each other (7) 21 Loud outcry (6) British bird (4,3) 14 Day in March on which Julius Caesar17 Small colourful 7 Slender black and white waders ( 23 Game involving the killing of animals (5,5) 18 Nonsense (7) was (4) 24 Extinct bird killed (4) 19 Complete13 failure / farceof (6) cells in a beehive where Mass 25 The question (according to Shakespeare)? (2,2,2,3,2,2) 22 Device that transmits audio signals (5)
15 Ice cream receptacle / traffic bollard
CROSSWORD PROVIDED BY THOM PUNTON (4) @thompunton
stored for the winter / middle of Crunchie (9)
illustration Lisa Holdcroft
SUPPORTED BY
LUCY SPRAGGAN • S CLUB PARTY • BIMM LIVE STAGE DJ SEAN QUINN • SINK THE PINK • IT IS STILL 1985 BRÜT BEARSTIVAL • LINE DANCING • CABARET FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Pride Pleasure Gardens, Old Steine & Victoria Gardens, Brighton Many events FREE to Pride Festival wristband holders ! Lots more to be confirmed For more details and tickets, go to Brighton-Pride.org
CONTACT FOR A FREE QUOTE ON 01273 044787 / 07577188892