STATE OF BRIGHTON THE UPS AND DOWNS OF OUR CITY IN 2013 WORDS BY JAMES KENDALL AND STUART HUGGETT ILLUSTRATIONS BY SHILLUSTRATIONS.COM
Let’s face it, a lot of the country is really struggling right now, and just getting through things is a damn good start. But Brighton continues to be a rather marvellous place to live. Sure it’s not without its pitfalls – awful wages, savage seagulls, the continued existence of poi – but damn we love this place. So here’s our annual look at the city. Are we up on last year, or on a losing streak? Have a read of this and decide for yourself but we’re smiling today. Again.
THERE’S A BRIGHTON BAND BONANZA
It’s a great time for Brighton music, with 2013 blessing us with an abundant crop of new bands. From Late Night Lingerie to Brighton Rocks, Sea Monsters to this month’s Green Door celebration TwoThreeFour, the city’s local promoters and fans are more spoilt for choice than ever. It’s not just SOURCE taking notice either, with acts like The Wytches, Royal Blood, IYES and Luke Sital-Singh breaking into the national media and airwaves, and groups getting signed left, right and centre. We can thank The Great Escape for some of this: you can’t underestimate the benefits of the international music industry visiting the city with a mission to discover new talent. Things are just as healthy in the mainstream too. Just think of everyone’s favourite pop stars Rizzle Kicks (new album due September), chart-topping records by Conor Maynard and ex-BIMM pupil Tom Odell and the global success of Mike Rosenberg’s Passenger (number one in 16 countries). There’s something in the (sea) water.
WE’RE STOPPING KILLING OURSELVES WITH DRUGS So if you’re living in Brighton and reading SOURCE, it’s fairly likely you enjoy going out and having a drink, and you’ve probably taken drugs at least once. You’ve gotta be responsible with how you treat your body though, and, according to the council’s recently published annual report on public health*, the trend is positive. Once
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the drug death capital of the country, Brighton has shed that unwelcome accolade, with the city’s rate of drug-related deaths falling from 67 a year in 2000 down to 20 in 2011. This may be partly because, in line with national patterns, the number of people using heroin and crack is falling, although the use of club drugs and legal highs is rising. Optimistically, the report also found a general decrease in drug and alcohol use by young (under 16) people, and a fall in the numbers of adult males who drank to excess (the figures for women remain unchanged). Keep it healthy, people. *‘Happiness: The Eternal Pursuit’ – Annual Report of the Director of Public Health, Dr Tom Scanlon.
LONDON ROAD IS BACK FROM THE DEAD
A few years ago it looked like Tesco would soon own London Road, planning to pretty much knock it down and build a mega-supermarket. So it’s with some surprise that we’re seeing it regenerate in such a strong way. Work has started on the student flats where the Co-op used to be and, while it’s sad to see such a beautiful building torn down, it was in a right old state and the days of empty premises have to come to an end. Of course there are concerns about naïve kids getting burgled, but London Road’s remaining sketchiness could be the lesson in street smarts that they need. Just a little further along is the Emporium theatre, a little gem of a place that made its name in the Fringe and has stayed open with quirky events and international names. Within spitting distance of the Duke Of York’s cinema, the neighbourhood is suddenly looking quite cultural.
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