Latest 7 magazine

Heartwarming; their story; the show; the songs. For some punks out there it’s perhaps too close to nauseous for comfort, but Elbow are a great band, enjoying their belated time in the sun, for the most part deserving the acclaim and plaudits heaped upon them. Having carved out a distinctly British indie sound that very loosely resembles a polite cross-pollination of Massive Attack with Radiohead, with just a hint of Pink Floyd here and there, Elbow’s usually slow burning, cinematic songs are made all the better by Guy Garvey’s controlled vocals, and of course, his highly engaging stage banter and manner, along with the tremendous visuals.

Brighton Centre, 27 March
4/5
Jeff Hemmings

Terminator – the opera, car-jacking birds, cat saboteurs and multiple political mash-ups formed the basis of this enjoyable, yet all too short, night. The collections of short funny films, some by Brighton-based filmmakers, were superbly produced with only one awkward silence nestled amongst the guffaw-led approval. In between the films were live acts Ed Petrie (stay on CBBC!) and the excellent musical duo Horse and Louis, who managed to mould guitars, short sketches and their own bizarre take on life into something twisted yet infectiously entertaining. The worst thing about the night was the popcorn: be warned.
Komedia, 23 March, 3/5, Ben Scott

From a time untroubled by iTunes or Twitter, comes Rumer: when she announces that it’s the time to sing a Bacharach, the audience are visibly delighted. It’s already assumed her voice is channeled directly from that era of ’60s/’70s cool, which is not to say that there aren’t modern swerves, themes and vibes here. What’s most engaging about the rise of this performer is that in this download era; she’s enjoying success based in no way on her undeniably beautiful features, but on the quality of her even more beautiful voice. This Rumer has to be heard to be believed.
Brighton Dome, 25 March, 4/5, Andrew Allen

Ladies and gentlemen, hands together for the best band to come out of the Brighton scene in the last 30 years… let’s welcome back The Piranhas. Yes, we’ve had to wait a lifetime, or two, but now they’re here; not all, but the espirit de corps, the recognisable bones. A remarkably debonair Johnny Helmer and the Don Corleonean Bob Grover, both looking surprisingly fit, plus a bunch of new songs and a slick rhythm section, with the sole purpose of, well, taking up where they left off. A new generation are about to experience the ‘P’ factor. As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent.

Prince Albert, 25 March
5/5
Paul Clark