BRIGHTON LIVE 2006

Thursday 28th


Ok, so its he's not local, and the shows not strictly part of Brighton Live - but a trip to Resident Records is in order to witness a brief instore acoustic performance from hotly tipped Irishman Fionn Regan. Disappointingly he only plays three songs, but what we do get to hear is impressive none the less - finger picked guitar folk songs with a hint of Nick Drake and Elliott Smith about them. Could well be worth investigating further.

Onwards and upwards we go, with the next stop being the festivals official pre-gig bar, the rather trendy Audio, for some more 'stripped down sessions' - starting at the stupidly early time of 6:00. Too early for beer? Not a chance. Word has spread that the scheduled Kooks gig at the nearby Dome has been cancelled - which goes some way to explaining why the place is packed full of scenesters with big hair, and worryingly tight jeans. Luckily we don't plan to be staying for long.

And now to the reason we're here - a rare solo and acoustic performance from Brakes frontman Eamon Hamilton - and he doesn't disappoint. Kicking things off with the short but brilliant combination of 'Heard About Your Band' and 'Hi How Are You'; we're also treated to a handful of new songs from the forthcoming new Brakes record. 'If I Should Die Tonight' is a countrified diamond of a tune, while the faster paced 'Hold Me In The River' has the more familiar spiky Brakes guitar sound we've come to know and love ? and even mentions Scarlett Johansson. As is now customary, the 6 second randomness of 'Comma Comma Full Stop' finishes things off perfectly ? with more than a few confused looks on the faces of the assembled Kooks fans. Without a doubt the usual country punk of Brakes songs works really well acoustically and it makes a nice change to see an intimate solo performance from the man Eamon. Excellent stuff.

Following this we trekked up to the trendy watering hole The Providence (I don't know why either ? please forgive me), but I wont mention the fact we saw performances from Pope Joan, Early Morning Soundtrack and Puscha. Top marks for effort - but quite frankly, they were rubbish. Homeward bound.

Friday 29th

To be fair, tonight is actually cheating - a trip to London to see a little bit of Brighton in the big city - The Pipettes and Actress Hands at the Camden Koko.

On first, Actress Hands (minus guitarist Alex White) unfortunately play to a very sparse audience due to having a stupidly early stage time. But none the less they put in a great set that's scattered with a handful of new songs taken from their recently recorded forthcoming album - with 'Stitches' and 'Boys Need Jazz' being the highlights of an impressively rocking bunch. New single 'Half An Hour' is a short, fast paced slab of Wedding Present like Indie Rock, and old number 'The Reducer' is as always a stunning harmony led tune. Overall an excellent showing to the London crowd - although they may have left a few bemused looks on the faces of some of The Pipettes fanbase who are more used to choreographed dance moves and polka dots.
As for The Pipettes - who tonight are all sporting fetching new dresses - its business as usual. 60's girl band inspired tunes a-plenty, choreographed dance moves - you know what to expect by now. 'Pull Shapes', 'Boy In Uniform', all their big songs are here - infact it sounds like they play pretty much all the songs they have at their disposal. Pretty uninspiring from where I was standing, but then again its all a matter of taste, and you really do have to be in the mood to properly appreciate a live Pipettes show. Or perhaps I'm just a boring bastard after all? Who knows!

Saturday 30th

So to the last night of Brighton Live 2006, and we've made it through the week in once piece - well apart from our livers - probably. As it happens, it turns out be a night of three gigs - with the first being at the Dorset pub/café for local promoters Gilded Palace Of Sins showcase night - or to be more precise we've come to see the lovely Jane Bartholomew, who's stunning voice, gentle guitar work and soft folk songs are wonderfully encapturing and atmospheric. The pubs crammed full too.

Next stop - Resident Records once again, for a haunting performance from 3 piece Euchrid Eucrow. Experimental and mysterious folk at its best - featuring Euchrid on vocals/guitar, Ginger Lee on accordion and Abi Fry on violin. Wonderfully off kilter, the songs twist and turn as the three instruments combine to create something odd, but quite astounding. Pushing the boundaries of new folk music has never sounded so good.

"We're the Bobby McGees and your not. So fuck off!" Ukuleles, banjos, miniature guitars and face paint? Yep, it's The Bobby McGees - the duo of miniature guitar player Jimmy, and ukulele / melodica player El, who's sound has been described as 'anti-folk' ? whatever that may be. Whoever's idea it was to put them on in a bar the size of the tiny Arthouse is quite frankly mad, as it was obviously going to be busy and it certainly is. To the music - brilliantly twee songs that never fail to amuse - "I don't want to be Jar Jar Binks no more" sings Jimmy on 'The Best Star Wars Song Ever'. Songs about astronauts, being dumped, and having no friends are just a few of the topics covered in the space of the evening. Minimalist, and all the better for it ? I think The Bobby McGees may well be going places.

Phew, tired yet? Well you should be! Another successful year for the good people of Brighton Live, and on this weeks evidence, the festival continues to go from strength to strength. Roll on next year.

Ian Chambers, Oct '06