Tokyo Taboo, Yur Mum, Run Into The Night, Hourglvss and Ġenn – all came together to deliver one hell of a good night of rock, punk, synth, pop alternative and so much more at The Hope and Ruin on 31/01/2020 – Brexit day!
This was a Beating Hearts Special For Independent Venues Week. Beating Hearts are a promotion company based in Brighton. Beating Hearts is a boutique booking agency working to raise artists profiles, by providing quality performance schedules across the U.K. and Europe. Their teams have experience across various roles within the live music industry and they offer help and support. Met a couple of the team at The Hope and Ruin for this event and they are really nice friendly people who made everyone welcome.
Tonight’s The Night! One night, 5 bands, one venue – lets crank it up!
Tokyo Taboo: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
We covered Tokyo Taboo and their storming set previously, but you can catch up here if you missed it! But, so wanted to share some images and thoughts of the other bands playing on this top night of live music. Tokyo Taboo were on first and they were followed by Yur Mum.
Yur Mum:
We had always missed each other in the past gig clashes etc, but not tonight! Yur Mum is a two-piece rock band based in London, UK. Formed by vocalist and bassist, and the present line up, Anelise Kunz on bass and pedal board and drummer Fabio Couto.
Anelise Kunz
Yur Mum: Anelise photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Fabio Couto
Yur Mum: Fabio photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I understand that Yur Mum underwent a very recent line up change, downsizing to just a two piece. They took to the stage to a welcoming cheer from the crowd and, well, no messing about. It was straight down to business. This I have to say was a blast of a set. Some superior rocking tunes greeted our eardrums as these two started up. Every song seemed to be a winner judging by the reaction of the crowd.
Yur Mum: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Awesome stuff and confirmed everything I had heard about these guys and who needs a guitar! The sound from the bass and drums filled the room with exciting rock and roll. There were a couple of songs that were totally new, and they went down well with the crowd as Anelise jumped off the stage and joined in with the crowd. A set packed with exciting tunes and these two made it loud all the while generating a fantastic authentic sound. Smashed it! Hope to see these guys again soon for a longer set.
Yur Mum: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Yur Mum are on Facebook here – keep in touch and check them out – live!
They also have an online site and that is here!
Run Into The Night
It was good to hear a friendly Scottish accent tonight as these musicians hail from Glasgow. Another two piece loaded up with a fistfull of songs blended like a fine Malt, warming with a dash of spiky rock and punk.
Guitars and vox – Christina Cassette
Run Into The Night: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
At the back on drums and backing vox Ellie May
Run Into The Night: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The Hope and Ruin lighting dimmed to a minty green and blue and those colours come through on the photographs. The guys hit off their set with Never Gonna Get and another titled Teenage Werewolf! Christina from the get go was hitting that guitar hard and pulling off some nice sounds whilst giving us some classic rock guitar poses. Brilliant. These guys entertained us for a good 30 minute set.
Run Into The Night: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Next up was a tune! New Fix. A cracking wee song right there and yes I need a new fix from these guys as the set was over before you knew it! An invitation to go for a drink next time I am up in Glasgow, oh yes, Christina that is on! Would love to find out more about the band. Well played guys and hope to see you soon.
You can find out more by visiting their Facebook page here!
Hourglvss
No, that is how it is spelt! My spellchecker may go into meltdown with this. Hourglvss (Hourglass) are a Brighton based outfit fronted by Sophie-May Williams and Katherine Benbow. Deadmans Hand was first on the set list. Stunning. These guys have obviously put in the ground work to achieve the overall sounds and harmonics they produce.
Sophie-May Williams on vocals and digital pad
Hourglvss: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Katherine Benbow on vocals
Hourglvss: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Hourglvss is a project created and developed by Northern musicians Katie Benbow and Sophie Williams. Introduced via a mutual friend, the two quickly bonded over an eerily similar taste in music, fashion and art, soon discovering that Sophie had unknowingly been a regular customer of Katie’s online vintage store. Thank goodness that chance meeting happened. What these two produce is at times sultry and soulful and at other times things have an upbeat disco feel. Now that’s quite a range! The voices and the band behind them provided us with an enchanting 30 minute set. The rest of the band are Harry Mitchell on Guitar, Jacob Newman On Bass and Connor Mccorkindale on drums.
Hourglvss: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A strong but short set. Almost a calm between the storms of the other bands. Dead Man’s Hand, Pretty Ones and Oogie Boogie were some of the songs played for a busy crowd. They can whisk you away with those vocals and sounds to somewhere warm and dreamy, with the odd wave, lapping on a beach of memorable melodies. Then, they can have you tapping that right foot as they put down a familiar dance rhythm. It was a treat to talk to Katie for a while before the set. These guys are passionate about what they do and also the music scene in Brighton as a whole. I hope to continue that conversation soon and somewhere out of the rain! Thank you Hourglvss for a wonderful introduction to your music.
Catch Hourglvss on Facebook
Ġenn
ĠENN (pronounced Jenn) is a musical riot, ready to rock your ears and mess with your brain. They serve alternative post-punk madness with a fun twist, fresh out of their DIY framework. Based in Brighton, the band is a result of a trans-national pairing which came about through the internet.
ĠENN photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
And so the last band of the night took to the stage. Ġenn started up but they appeared to be without the lead vocalist Leona Farrugia! I think it was all planned however as the first song was an instrumental! Leona then bounced onto the stage and grabbed the mic and the set really began. This is a lighter punk affair, guitar based with some fine bass and drums. The positively shakin’ Like You and the slightly slower tempo Be A Man, with a brilliant bass and guitar break, kinda started things off.
ĠENN photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I had done a bit of homework before these guys and recognised two thumping tracks included tonight. The wonderful Duda Dance (their latest release) and Damaged with an almost Lene Lovich vibe ringing out on that one. Actually the more I hear from these guys the Lovich comparison is pretty accurate. This was an another exciting local Brighton band. They are made up as follows Leona Farrugia (vocals), Leanne Zammit (bass), Janelle Borg (guitar), and Sofia Rosa Cooper (drums). Well done guys, you nailed that one down. See you again soon I hope.
ĠENN are on Facebook here, go on give them a like…
And finally: Keep Music Live! Support those artists and venues.
Sadly many think that live music is fading out, venues seem to be closing and it’s only the big “show” gigs, or the older bands and artists that people want to see. Tonight Beating Heart put together the five bands who individually poured everything into their sets. I think they proved that this just isn’t true! Hopefully! A busy venue, a good crowd all paying £6 for a ticket had, bang for buck, a great night out and brilliant value in a terrific venue. Five brilliant vibrant and exciting bands on a timed set that ran like clockwork and surprisingly it all finished finished bang on 11pm. As we had been reminded – it was Brexit Day!
A huge thanks to the folk from Beating Hearts Agency. This was a Beating Hearts Special For Independent Venues Week. Beating Hearts is a boutique booking agency working to raise artists profiles, by providing quality performance schedules across the U.K. and Europe. You can find them on Facebook here.
We work hard with the artists, promoters, the venues and the crowd to bring you the best photos and reviews across the area. Keep Music LIVE! Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.
Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.
All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
Got an event coming up? Need some gig photography, promo shots, previews or reviews? – please get in touch! See you down the front – come and say “hi!”