A sublime line up delivered by Brighton Promoters Joy Concerts
This gorgeous venue in the railway arches underneath Brighton Train Station has become a favourite of mine recently. Oozing underground vibes and providing excellent acoustics, the exposed brickwork and piping, memorabilia festooned walls and fairy-lit outside covered area – I feel like I’ve been invited to a very select event whenever I shoot here.
It’s almost the second anniversary of me snapping for Brighton and Hove News and I love the feeling of camaraderie in the grass roots venues with regular shooters and reviewers. My knowledge of the local music scene is also growing. Tonight I am happy to be catching both Moon Idle and Night Swimming again, as well as being introduced to High Drive.
Moon Idle
Formed in Brighton, this four piece alt rock/trip hop band started the evening off beautifully with their ethereal yet powerful sound filling the space beautifully. Playing to a very appreciative audience, their between songs interactions with the room created a warm feeling of community. I am becoming used to expecting red/blue light in the Green Door Store and now go prepared to rise to the challenge in terms of capturing sharp images. With three bands playing, the sets were early and just thirty minutes long, but Moon Idle still managed to make their performance feel big.
High Drive
Bringing a very different vibe to the room was the second act of the night – High Drive. High energy and fast paced – they delivered each song with passion and volume. I really enjoyed capturing the action on stage. And though there might be some blurred fingers, the level of colour drenched dry ice enabling some variation in the images feels like aesthetic distraction enough to guide the eye.
Night Swimming
I was really looking forward to seeing Night Swimming play again. I caught them earlier in the year at The Brighton Rock n Roll Circus at The Font as part of The Alternative Escape and they left a lasting impression. On their first headlining tour, the Bath/Bristol based band deliver their distinctive dream pop sound to a packed room, with the cave like environment of the gorgeous Green Door Store allowing Meg Jones’ vocals to soar! A superb end to the night.
Follow the links to explore each artist a little more and as ever keep supporting emerging talent and grass roots venues. In a world that seems crazier with each passing day, this is one aspect of it that continues to bring joy and hope and a little sanity!
Next up – a little Divine Comedy…watch this space!