Thu 20 Sep – Dexys

Dexys at Brighton Dome on Thursday 20th September 2012

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I'm a longtime Dexys admirer. All four albums are firm favourites. The debut is one of the most vital and powerful albums ever; the Celtic-soul of the second is wonderful; 'Don't Stand Me Down' is full of beauty and strength; and - after a wait of almost thirty years - 'One Day I'm Going To Soar' is probably my favourite album of 2012, and fits right in with the consistent quality of the Dexys' back catalogue.

Kevin Rowland is one of the most honest and…

Fri 31 Aug – End of the Road Festival

End Of The Road Festival 2012
31 August - 2 September 2012

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The Christopher Walkman by Nige B, on Flickr

Another year, another End Of The Road Festival.

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Zun Zun Egui - Tipi Tent by Nige B, on Flickr

Every year EOTR seem to find small ways to make their festival even better whilst retaining those things that work so well. Definitely my favourite festival and the one we go to every year.

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Somerset Cider Bus - glam rock revisited by Nige B, on Flickr

There's so much…

Thu 16 Aug – Public Image Ltd.

Public Image Limited @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 16th August 2012.

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This was my gig of the year so far. John Lydon reigning in his clownish tendencies to give a consummate performance of controlled passion. At the end he said "We do this because we love it", and it showed.

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The sound was very good, the band were superb, and the bass was as bass-tastic as I've ever heard. During "Religion" it was cranked up to 11 - I thought my fillings were going to fall out.

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A two hour…

Thu 5 Jul – Nova Festival Of Arts & Music

Nova Festival Of Arts & Music, 5th-8th July 2012, Bignor Park, Pulborough, West Sussex….

Nova fails to go Super

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According to the organisers before the festival…. “On arriving, a short stroll through a leafy copse will take you from the car park to the camping area - a peaceful undulating meadow nestling at the foot of the South Downs. Once you’ve pitched your tent on the Thursday, a brief walk up the farm path takes you to the stables. Here you can enjoy a tipple at our very own…

Public Image Ltd. - This is PiL

So what's your verdict….?

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….Me? I'm impressed - far more than I ever thought possible.

A really coherent album that I can't stop listening to. The band are on great form with the sort of worldy, funky, propulsive sound that always works brilliantly at festivals. Shame there's no Glastonbury this year. PiL would have been an obvious headliner (though I'm not sure Johnny would have signed up for it).

John sounds impassioned. Howling, singing, crooning, wailing for all he's worth. He means it man.

The lyrics are personal and intriguing.

It's very…

Mon 21 May – Sharon van Etten
Sharon Van Etten @ Komedia, Brighton on Monday 21st May 2012

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Sharon Van Etten @ Komedia, Brighton on Monday 21st May 2012 by Nige B, on Flickr

I last saw Sharon Van Etten supporting Meg Baird at Red Roaster Cafe in St. James’s St, Brighton on Saturday 26th January 2008. Then she was a very quiet understated folk singer with just an acoustic guitar. Four years on she's got a full band, a critically acclaimed third album ("Tramp"), and is playing to a much larger and more appreciative crowd.

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Sharon Van…

Fri 4 May – Simone Felice, Simi Stone

Simone Felice live at The Brighton Coalition on Friday 4th May 2012 Brighton. Definitely my live experience of the year so far. I've never seen anyone come straight off the stage to hug each member of the audience at the end of a show. A stunning night.

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Simone Felice Group @ The Brighton Coalition on 4th April 2012

Definitely my live experience of the year so far. I've never seen anyone come straight off the stage to hug each member of the audience at the end of a show. A stunning…

Fri 9 Mar – Future Islands, Way Through, Cinemascopes

Future Islands @ The Haunt, Brighton on 9th March 2012

I only became aware of Future Islands at the end of 2011 having seen them play at the ATP, Nightmare Before Xmas event in December. They're a trio of a brilliant and understated bassist; a Chris Lowe-esque synth player; and crooning frontman Samuel T. Herring.

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Samuel T. Herring makes me think of Jaz Coleman's younger, smaller, funkier brother. Same intensity, same passion, similar appearance - but Samuel is much more nimble on his feet.

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He's a brilliant front man.…

Fri 3 Feb – Third Annual Ropetackle Beer Festival

Saw TV again last night…

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Attila the Stockbroker introduces TV Smith

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TV Smith

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TV Smith

…at Attila the Stockbroker's beer festival in Shoreham. A great night out. Beer, punk, ska, loads of friendly faces, chat, laughter, fun, & talking drunken bollocks. It's what life's all about.

The Meow Meows were great too. They're playing with the Selector at the Concorde 2 in Brighton on 25 March 2012. You should go.

Fri 23 Dec – David Bowie & T.Rex Xmas Tribute

Absolute Bowie + Too Rex @ Komedia, Brighton - 23 December 2011

The description from the Komedia website:

Absolute Bowie return to Komedia performing all the classic Bowie songs from the Ziggy Stardust and The Thin White Duke eras.

Support from the country’s favourite T.Rex tribute Too Rex, playing all the classic Marc Bolan hits. Plus DJs playing 70s tunes.

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Too Rex @ Komedia, Brighton - 23 Dec 2011 by Nige B, on Flickr

I must confess I'm a bit conflicted about tribute bands. I generally prefer to look…