Best of Brighton 2: Brightons favourite Music, Food, Drink & Arts mini festival returned on 10 November. A great idea to support music, food, drink and arts in our City. 100’s came out and supported music, food, drink and arts from our City.
Best Of Brighton 2: Concorde 2 on 10 November 2019
Black Rabbit Production, BOB & Friends were proud to bring us: Best of Brighton 2
“We started Best of Brighton to help showcase Brightons favourite Music – Food & Drink – Arts. And create a fun event to bring everyone together to support all the great music, food and drink and arts in our wonderful town. So come and support the Best Of Brighton (BOB)”
These nights are put together by the creative forces of Best Of Brighton and Black Rabbit Productions. This was their second of these nights and you can read all about the first one right here!
I will work in reverse order starting with the headliners and working back. There are loads of pictures on this page, so please let them download.
THE MUSIC!
LOS ALBERTOS
Los Albertos
Los Albertos are a six piece dance ska and pop band from Brighton,UK. Formed in 2002 they have toured the venues and festivals of the UK,Europe and even Russia with great popular success releasing three studio albums,a live album and an EP along the way.Their sound fuses ska,drum n bass and old skool techno with a funky,punky pop sensibility. The line up of drums,bass and guitar with a three piece brass section allows the band to explore and mix all these styles while retaining their own sound, characterised by four part harmonies and sax,trumpet and guitar solos.
This combination produces an enormously dynamic,lyrically colourful and irresistibly dancy sound.
Los Albertos
These guys had the crowd in Concorde 2 bouncing the crowd nicely. Their infectious and extremely danceable sounds were a perfect way to wind up the evening.
Les Bods
Les Bods
Les Bods. Originally formed as a two piece band by two friends to escape from their busy lives and spend time playing music together. Les Bods electrifying garage rock sound is soaked in distorted riffs and intense bass that drills through one ear to the other. Leaving their audience with enough head space for their brazen sound. After adding their third member Les Bods took their sound from records, bevs and bedrooms to gracing Brighton’s prestigious stages like Green Door Store and Concorde 2. Les Bods have already placed themselves on the Brighton alternative scene. Currently working in the studio for their debut single ready for release in 2020, Les Bods are one of Brighton’s up and coming artists for beers, bass and noise.
Les Bods
This is what I love about this indoor mini festival, many bands to see and you may find a band you had not heard of before, and Les Bods are one of those. A fine set from these guys, some solid enjoyable garage rock with some super bass and guitar lines. Enjoyed their set.
PUSSYLIQUOR
PUSSYLIQUOR are an all girl punk band based in Brighton, pure uncensored female rage. “Putting the amp in tampon, raising estrogen levels wherever we go”. Scene Sussex saw these guys early in their career and cant wait to see them play live on a bigger, much bigger stage!
I had the chance to photo these guys on one of their first ever gigs and so a few face changes since then. Pussyliquor are Ari Black (vocals), Hannah Villanueva (guitar), Lucy Priddle (guitar), Tallulah Turner-Fray (bass) and Victoria Lewis Piper (drums)
Pussyliquor
A damn fine 30 minutes set from these guys. A timing error meant they were told to leave the stage as they had used their allotted time. No Waaaaay! The crowd started a slow handclap and foot stamp as they demanded more. A quick check backstage and the realisation a mistake had been made saw the band take the stage to finish off their splendid set. Well done to them for the disruption not putting them off.
Fragile Creatures
Fragile Creatures
Fragile Creatures. Combining rock, pop and grunge with catchy melodies, Fragile Creatures are a solid nod to the halcyon heyday of British guitar music. They released their debut album …And Other Wild Things last year, as the first release on the new Brightonsfinest Presents label. Now the band are emerging from a winter spent hard at work in the rehearsal room, with upcoming shows focussed on road testing the new material they’ve written for the second record before they hit the studio. What we’re hearing so far is darker, brasher and more convoluted.
Fragile Creatures
Scene Sussex love these guys – and tonight reinforced that. They are such a tight professional outfit with some great songs. They have put out some truly fabulous music and video content this year. Their first album was brilliant… just waiting for the new album to drop. You really should go see these guys live. The band fronted by Adam Kidd had their slot cut short as Adam had a tech issue with his guitar. Les Bods leant him one and we were away at last. Sadly only 15 minutes due to the tight schedule. But thoroughly enjoyed what they managed to squeeze into their set.
Iamwarface
IAMWARFACE
IAMWARFACE are an Electro-Rock Band formed in London 2016 (now residing in Brighton) by singer/producer Matt Warneford. His band consist of Lou Matthews (Guitars), Tom Howe (DJ Synth), Mike Smith (Bass) and Adam Stanley (Drums). The name is a metaphor for his own original style of bombastic high-energy groove based electro-rock, which has been affectionaly branded “Rocktronica” by none other than legendary Virgin Radio host Eddy Temple Morris.
IAMWARFACE
An all out assault from these guys. If you had arrived with a few cobwebs between your ears, then these were the guys to remove them! They belted it out for 30 minutes for a sizeable crowd. This is another band I had always seemed to miss. Not tonight! I met them in this high powered energetic set. So glad I did. They won an online vote to appear tonight, and it is easy to see why. Congrats on winning that and for such and awesome set. Will catch these guys again.
Cess Greenness
Cess Greenness won the Brighton song contest for BoB1 run by Monika Weddell. Therefore, getting on the bill for BoB2! Greenness is a folktronica duo featuring English musician and producer Graham Pratt and French singer-songwriter Cess Frangi. Their debut EP ‘Bicephaly’ (2016), a collection of songs where intricate guitar melodies meet vocals both powerful and fragile, tells stories of love, loss, dreams and visions. The main single ‘In the Winter’ has received airplay on BBC Introducing the South and was also selected as the opening song for ‘Wilder Stories’, a live podcast recorded at the Old Market during Brighton Fringe 2017, hosted by critically acclaimed musician and activist Chris.
Greenness
A delightful and interesting set from these two musicians. I always think its tough to go on first, but these guys did a brilliant job and gave us a wonderful acoustic set.
THE COMEDY: Charmaine Davies
Charmaine Davies has worked along side Judi Dench to Jo Brand. She has been seen on stage, TV and films all over the world including Reality TV in America. Charmaine has also been on ITVs ‘This Morning’ Several times with Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford.Starting her career in stand up 8 years ago Charmaine has been seen on BBC 1 , Channel 4, Latest TV ITV, Dave, Sky and Really channel and has performed all over Europe including Praaha Comedy festival Prague. The Sziget festival Budapest and Boom Chicago Amsterdam
She can be heard regularly on TalkRadio
Charmaine Davies
A super 15 minute slot from Charmaine Davies had drawn a crowd. Her delivery and content was totally on point drawing on everyday life and a few members of the audience for her material. This was a new slot for Best Of Brighton and thanks to Charmaine it really did work. Hopefully the comedy section will be with us for BOB3!
Dropping in…
Bringing his belt, shades and those shaking hips tonight, was the king, Suspiciously Elvis! There had been a space reserved for a raffle, with some top prizes, sadly no one from Rocking Horse was on site which meant the raffle could not go ahead. What to Do?
Suspiciously Elvis
You bring on the King, that’s what! Suspiciously Elvis grabbed his belt and glasses and gave a stunning 15 minute slot. Viva Las Vegas and A little Less Conversation were served up in his own inimitable style. This was, as always, backed up with some delightful banter he announced his new favourite band was Pussyliquor, and he soon put out a photo of himself with the guys! Also whilst he was performing Los Albertos were prepping the set. A super target for Suspiciously Elvis to aim some delicious, and well received, humour as the band got ready. He really drew the crowd back into the room and wow, what a way to fill 15 minutes. Superb!
THE ART: Cassette Lord and IOT – #iownthis
Cassette Lord and IOT displayed their amazing art and creations, which could be purchased on the night! Both artists created art live on the night
THE BEER: Cloak and Dagger
Cloak and Dagger – A new and exciting brewery from Sussex. Sadly I was driving that night so didn’t get a chance to taste the beers. But speaking to folk who did manage a sample or two, or three said it was awesome. Save me a pint chaps!
THE FOOD: Flux
Flux is all about Californian-inspired vegan food, bringing American-Mexican fusion eats to Brighton, that also happen to be plant-based! Sophie and Charlie, Flux’s founders, have been vegan since late 2013, and have had their fair share of disappointing falafel and hummus wraps. We want to bring new ideas to the vegan food scene, to challenge what people think animal-free food is, and to encourage everyone to try something new and tasty, no matter their diet. We make as much as we can from scratch, including our own seitan for our ‘beef’ and ‘chicken’ burgers. Expect tasty burgers, tacos, wraps and cauli-wings!
I understand, because I was too busy to try one, from the staff and satiated guests that the Burger, topped with cheese was to die for along with the skin on fries. Great friendly guys running the kitchen.
Compères:
A great job well done to these guys keeping us all in order and everything running smoothly!
And Finally
So come on! Support local live music and those venues, BEST OF BRIGHTON 3 is being planned. This night has it all! Live music, art, top food, top beer all under one roof at Concorde2. With two successful nights under their belt get ready and support this wonderful event. It is bang for buck such a great value evening out.
Best of Brighton is being promoted by the marvellous, dedicated team at Black Rabbit Productions.
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 IAN BOURN / 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!”