Brighton after dark: 16th April 2013
Bmusic
Making History Now
The Knife, brother and sister duo, Olof Dreijer and Karin Dreijer Andersson, are back this month with their first studio album in seven years – Shaking The Habitual, following a hiatus studying feminist and queer theory. Its reception has not quite been the positive affair expected, instead it’s a political weapon questioning world structure and throwing out the rule book. Behind their music/artistry the usually shy duo have come vocal with their views on extreme wealth and call for its end, proposing that perhaps our preconceived ideas of identity and gender are distracting us from a want for total equality and united purpose.
On another but related subject, poet, artist and campaigner Vince Laws put together the B.Right.On Brighton’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender ‘Making History Now’ Festival and Bmusic was of course supporting and filming the musical festivities. The festival’s entertainments stood with a proud united voice against bigotry raising important answers of indifference and equality. With gay marriage finally close to being legalised it seems the rights protests of yesterday have evolved to become the festivals of equality and the celebrations of support that we see today.
The Knife’s new album may not be what was expected – it asks for change and when has that ever been comfortable? But should we take The Knife’s proposal of protest and shake the habitual, could we all end up at a festival celebrating further freedom and equality down the line? Just a thought.
Do you want to get involved in making exciting music television? If so add us on Facebook and join our open meeting at the Sovereign Pub on Preston Street, 6.30pm Tuesday 16 April. Previous experience isn’t necessary as what we value above all is initiative and enthusiasm.
A noise reel extended feature of LGBT ‘Making History Now’ month is available online at www.facebook.com/BmusicTV.
Words and Image: Ben Darling
Sade Ali’s clubbing experience!
I’m lying in bed, feeling rather rough. There is a strange sense of embarrassment in my heart, and a slight headache, of which, I dare say, are the remnants of Friday’s clubbing experience. I went to MAYFAIR @ Hedkandi down West Street and it was quite an eye-opener. Before this new night, people had always painted many pictures for me when it came to clubbing in Hedkandi. Being a person of curiosity, those pictures weren’t enough for me and so I had to check out the scene for myself and have a night out with my girls after work.
I’d never been to Hedkandi before and always wondered if I would like it, I didn’t think it was my type of crowd or music. But since one of Brighton’s best promotions teams took over I had to see what all the fuss was about! Before actually stepping into the club, I noticed lots of smiling faces and happy people laughing and joking with their friends, huge crowds of people inside dancing and having a good time, so I knew I was about to have an awesome night!
“No dancing. I’ll just observe,” I told the rest.
As I’m always the awkward one who can’t dance, unless it’s the candy (cameo) dance!
Alas, it was impossible. Let me just cut to the chase and say that I went on to the dance floor and danced like a complete idiot all night, but no-one cared. Everyone was having such a good time and no-one was being judged! Halfway through I started to question myself on what ground had clubbing justified a person’s level of coolness? Even when I was following the crowd and moving to the crazy music, I was looking around me like I always do, taking in the sights. The tight body-con dresses, the slicked back hairstyles, the six-inch heels, the jumping up and down, the act of getting wasted, the lust. It made me really see the magic that clubbing held.
Why did these people keep coming back? Good people, good music and good vibes! That’s all you want! I’m definitely a regular from now, and if you haven’t checked it out I recommend you do, you can also laugh at my dancing if you spot me in the crowd! Hah!
Thursday nights are changing!
After the massive launch last Thursday, Oceana introduce a brand new Thursday night to Brighton. Each and every Thursday…
ELECTRIC BOUTIQUE – BRAND NEW FOR THURSDAY – £1 DRINKS ALL NIGHT
Doors: 10pm–4am (last entry 2am)
Music: Two rooms of music – Dance vs Urban
DON’T MISS
OYB
Known as the centrepiece of Brighton’s clubbing scene, OYB guarantees a cracking night of smashing beats from Hip-Hop to Garage. Guiding you on this journey are the formidable trio of DJ greats G23, Milton and Outbreak. Take a walk down the Old Yellow Brick Road and find out exactly what has everyone going nuts for this unmissable experience.
Coalition, Sat 20 April, 10pm–3am, £7/£5
Shake Holla and Roll
Propel yourself back in time as The Mesmerist serves up a sensational vintage event. Shake Holla And Roll brings out the honking sax and the blasting trumpets that you can’t resist and gets you rocking the dance floor till the early hours. You’ll also get a haircut (if you so wish!) from Michael Allen when the city’s only ‘saloon salon’ is opened. So make sure you’re looking sharp as well as shakin’ away at The Mes.
The Mesmerist, Fri 19 April, 9pm–2am, free
Stonelove
Get ready for a loud Friday night at the perennial indie disco in town. You need a Rock ‘n’ Roll attitude of 101% and one large tank of gas so make sure you’re ready for this one. Stonelove never disappoints in its mission to be ‘the biggest indie disco in the world’.
Fri 19 April, 11pm–3am, £3–£6
Old School Saturday
There ain’t a funkier place in town. Saturday nights play host to a combo of Motown, Soul and a little disco, all at the Funkyfish Club. Radio 1 called this place “the best little club in Brighton” and that is some recommendation, don’t
miss out!
The Funkyfish Club, Sat 20 April 10pm–late, £5/£6 after 11pm
Words: Henry Smith
Brighton Noise
Good morning/afternoon/evening readers and welcome back to the Brighton Noise column. The past week has been eventful to say the least. Last night, if you were lucky, you may have caught us out on the town with an augustly shameless auburn lothario after his simply red-iculous set at the Dome. Pyrotechnic displays and a flame-haired entourage of ruby-toothed go-go dancers were our accompaniment in a whistle-stop tour of famous watering holes and local eateries as we showed Mick Hucknall the best that Brighton has to offer. Miss us? For shame. Let’s get on with the rest of the week.
Wednesday is a sad day, not just for Brighton, but for the whole of the south-east as, I’m sorry to say, So Solid Crew have cancelled their show at the Concorde 2. After an evening spent wailing into my pillow sobbing “Romeo, WHY?” at twenty-one second intervals those tears of anguish turned to tears of joy as I discovered the inimitable Crayola Lectern are bothering the ivories down at The Brunswick in Hove and not only that, but supporting the wonderfully weird local musician will be Do You Feel What I Feel Deer. Two of the best dressed women in town making alt-folk with rock guitars and a string quartet. Lovely.
The weekend brings a heavenly pairing of Brighton’s best. On Friday you are encouraged – nay, compelled!
– to visit the Prince Albert to check out Danny Green’s Laish. His voice is confusingly described as ‘brogue’ by the press but both meanings of the word apply – strong, earthy, leathery folk with a rich hue and undertones of cobbled streets and spilt whiskey. Sunday sees the wonderful Cate Ferris grace the stage at the Blind Tiger Club, cooing and crooning through her hurly-burly songs like a happier Cat Power or a calmer Ani DeFranco.
An obligatory tip of the hat and slap of the knee goes to Chas and Dave at the Concorde 2 on Saturday while the smart money is on A Hawk And A Hacksaw to be the pick of the week in terms of out-of-towners, turning The Haunt into a sweat box of Balkan melodies and multi-instrumental madness. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you.
More information and loads more gigs can be found at brightonnoise.co.uk
