BRIGHTON LIVE 2006

After the massively over hyped Great Escape festival came to Brighton earlier in the year, the time has come for Brighton to showcase its very own local talent - so here it is again - the return of the hugely successful annual Brighton Live festival - and this year its only gone and got even bigger and better. Over 250 bands, playing in 31 venues throughout the wonderful city, and the best part is - the whole things free - that's right, it won't cost you a penny! A bit good I think you'll agree, so take the week off work and enjoy.

Monday 25th

The first live action of the week just happens to be in a coffee shop named the Red Roaster - a large converted post office with a very high ceiling, and a somewhat arty, bohemian atmosphere. Luckily they do sell beer - a hot chocolate or warm milk doesn't sound quite so appealing. Upon arrival, we just catch the end of the set from Ellie Blackshaw, who plays some rather nifty contemporary tunes on the violin. It soon becomes apparent that at regular intervals we'll be greeted with the sound of a coffee blender, which it has to be said does spoil the atmosphere somewhat - but it is a coffee-house after all, so what did we expect?

Next its the turn of the ever brilliant Birdengine - who's twisted and mysterious take on folk music never fails to astound. Wonderfully enchanting songs such as 'Heads Off Dogs', 'You Gave Birth To A Horse', and 'Buried In Black Snow' are worked through with his usual finger picked nylon guitar precision, allowing us all glimpses into an eerie and atmospheric world.

To most, Willis is best known as songwriter & vocalist in local outfit The Customers - but for now the band are taking some time off, so these days Willis has turned his hand to other musical projects. Aside from being the newest addition to the line-up of local power-pop favourites The Poppycocks, he's also gone down the solo route, with a full length record coming out on Drift Records early next year. But he's not in this alone, having lovingly assembled a backing band of local musicians to form The Tandy Hard (with who he plays with for the first time this evening) featuring Johny Lamb (Actress Hands, Thirty Pounds of Bone) on bass / backing vocals, Jane Bartholomew on piano, and Nick (Country Analogue) on drums. His songs have a wonderfully intimate feel to them ? relatively simple yet effective - creating a cosy kind of warmth around the songs. Standout track, the captivating 'Shrinking From View' has hints of Dylan about it, while the brilliant 'Desperate Measures' and 'Price On Your Head' are hushed woozy affairs that lyrically could be compared the likes of Leonard Cohen. Excellent stuff all round, and on this showing Willis' album will be well worth checking out upon release.

Tuesday 26th

Tonight the decision is made to make the trek up the mighty hill known as Southover Street, and see some nice intimate stripped down music at the Dover Castle pub. Is 'stripped down' the new acoustic?!

After that walk, a nice pint and some breezy tunes are just what's needed - and that's just what we get from the man known as Parker. Joined on drums / percussion by Mr Pugh of The Poppycocks, together they perform some brilliantly quirky, 60's influenced songs that are very much in the vein of an acoustic Kinks. Songs about pirate ships ('The Charming Man'), pretty ladies ('Barbara') and an inspired cover of Belle & Sebastians 'Me And The Major'. Someone give the man a record deal!

What to make of Jason Pegg? Clearly quite a talent, and responsible for the likes of the excellent 'Lido' and 'Cedars' records with his band Clearlake, tonight we get the chance to witness a rare solo performance in a now very busy pub. Unfortunately though, what promised so much, ends up turning into fairly uninspiring background music. Things do improve slightly though when the pace is upped with 'I Hate It That I Got What I Wanted', and the beautiful slow number 'Dreamt That You Died' from recent album 'Amber'. Aside from that, the rest seemed to pass me by. Not much to report here then.

Wednesday 27th

Night three, and its all getting quite exciting with what promises to be a cracking line-up of bands in the upstairs room of The Albert - the self titled 'most rock n roll pub in Brighton'. Which is nice. What's it like then? Quite simply, small, hot and very busy. Anyone for some air conditioning perhaps?

All the way from the rocking Sussex town of Worthing, we have the latest addition to the Drift Records roster - 4 piece band The Burns Unit. Oh and they're brilliant! Upbeat indie pop, complete with some jangly guitar work and some harmoniously crafted songs. I challenge you to listen to the likes of 'Sunshine Hurts My Eyes' and 'Never Let Me Go', and not want to break into a small dance floor shuffle. Like an English version of Gorkys Zygotic Mynci, mixed in with a bit of Kinks for good measure. Kindred spirits of The Poppycocks and ones to look out for indeed.

After being hand picked by the organisers of Brighton Live as a band to look out for, big things are expected of My Federation. The band arrive very sharply dressed in fetching white suits, and proceed to run through a set filled with keyboard / synth driven electro, featuring some big guitar riffs and pounding Primal Scream-like bass lines. Quite on the danceable side if you happen to be that way inclined.

Aha, it's The Poppycocks! Currently causing quite a stir in the local music scene, it was only right that they were given their own headline slot this year. Led by the lyrical wit of Miles Poppycock, and closely guided by the steady hands of The Captain, Willis, and the drumming of Mr Pugh, tonight they're bang on form - with song after song of smashing, slightly eccentric power-pop. A keen ear for melody indeed! The tale of an attendant at the local pavilion gardens is told in 'A Gentleman's Gentleman', looking through rubbish is discussed in 'A Rubbish Man', and on forthcoming single 'Lovebirds' we hear of imprisoned lovers. These are just a few highlights that make you grin like a mad man and make you want to perform that embarrassing drunken dance. Infact they even get an encore - and the choice couldn't be better than the postal themed 'She Sends Me Letters'. Throughout the evening the band look like they're clearly enjoying themselves and judging by the reaction of the crowd, everyone else certainly is too. 'The new Belle & Sebastian' someone said. No, they're The Poppycocks - and we love em.