Belly

Concorde 2, Brighton, Tuesday, June 19

Rhode Island alt-rockers Belly were one of the biggest bands of the 1990s.

Now, after a 23-year hiatus, they are back in business.

Formed in 1991 by Tanya Donelly – of Throwing Muses and Breeders fame – Belly’s stock rose prominently following the success of their debut album, Star (1993).

This was pushed even further by sophomore release King (1995).

The band split shortly after, with Donelly citing the negative tensions within the group as the reason for their hiatus.

Whether, at the time, the band knew this split would last for the amount of time it did is anyone’s guess.

However, they kept in constant contact and now the time appears to be right for Belly.

After more than two decades apart the band have reformed for new album, Dove, and an 11-date UK tour, which just happens to be making a stop off in Brighton.

Their new release was made, like so many things are nowadays, through the use of crowdfunding – to rave reviews.

It’s a feeling that is sure to get them pumped for this upcoming tour.

Punters can likely expect a mix of old and new.

You would hope that the band acknowledge that they have to play the fan favourites, but that doesn’t mean the new material shouldn’t slip its way into the setlist too.

Speaking to Tanya, it is clear she and the band are looking forward to hitting the road.

She said: “We’re psyched to get back on tour, and especially about playing the new stuff live.

“The shows on the last tour had a very communal and band/audience interactive vibe, something we were surprised and very moved by.

“Assuming this time around the novelty of us playing again will have lost its edge, but Dove will take up that space and sense of ‘new’. “

You can read the rest of our in-depth interview with Belly in Friday’s guide.

For more tickets and information visit https://www.concorde2.co.uk/

Hal Cruttenden

Caroline of Brunswick, Brighton, Wednesday, June 20

Fast becoming one of the biggest UK stars on the comedy scene today, Hal Cruttenden has built up a rapport with his audience that makes him instantly likeable and hysterically funny.

Playing at the Caroline of Brunswick, one of a whole host of comedy names taking to the stage there to preview their Edinburgh Fringe shows, this intimate setting will be the perfect place to see Hal do what he does best.

Not only can he crack a good joke but he knows how to work a room, wrap them around his finer and get them absolutely hooked on each and every word out of his mouth.

The man he will be performing alongside, Tom Ward, is a relative newbie in comparison.

That, however, doesn’t mean he’s not more than capable of holding his own.

Ward is quickly making a name for himself across the UK, becoming a favourite with promoters, punters and fellow comics alike.

It’s intriguing to see how this pair will perform one after the other but one thing is for sure, you can expect an excellent night of comedy from both of them.

Paul Sinha

Caroline of Brunswick, Brighton, Tuesday, June 26

Best known from his role on the ITV show The Chase, Paul Sinha is not only a wonderfully intelligent brainbox.

He is also a fantastically funny comedian.

Paul has performed in clubs and theatres all over the world and while nowadays he appears more comfortable chasing down those less intelligent than himself, he doesn’t take any rest and is an on the road comic in the rest of the spare time he has.

It was his second full length solo show Saint Or Sinha that gave him this worldwide platform.

The show received rave reviews at the 2006 Edinburgh Fringe and catapulted Sinha into the mainstream.

As well as being terrifically funny, the intelligence and wit that Paul shows in his everyday life shines through in his stand-up, able to punctuate puns with both humour and knowledge.

Above all this, Paul is also a qualified GP. Really, is there nothing this man can’t do?

At the Caroline of Brunswick, Paul will be performing alongside Lucy Frederick.

The south London comedian has caught the eye with a number of award nominations over the last few years and will more than match Paul in a battle of who can make the audience laugh harder.

Yamantaka//Sonic Titan

Bau Wow Club, Brighton, Tuesday, June 19

For a quick comparison, Yamantaka// Sonic Titan – yes that is their full name – are like a weirder, wilder and crazier version of Gorillaz... if that was even possible.

Formed in 2007 by two performance artists, Alaska B and Ruby Kato Attwood, seeing this band live is not just seeing live music, not just seeing a performance, it’s about an experience and that is sure what they offer.

Bound together, in Montreal, Canada, by a shared love of experimental music and interpretive performance art, Yamantaka//Sonic Titan offer a completely different musical experience to anything you are likely to see.

Following the release of their 2018 album, Dirt, the band have embarked on a worldwide tour which sees them hit the sunny shores of Brighton.

In their native Montreal, the band are more commonly known for their ability to play anywhere, from a club or pub to a shopping mall food court at ridiculous hours of the morning.

As for the music itself, I guess electro-psychedelic-rock-opera would be the best way to describe it. That being said, I doubt there is any true way to describe this band and the best way to see what they’re all about it to check them out for yourself.

Visit https://bauwow.club/ or tickets and more information.