As soon as Brighton’s Beachdown was cancelled late on Tuesday night, Concorde 2 owner Russell Haynes launched plans for a free event at his venue so none of the bands or festival-goers would be let down.
The result has seen him transplant many of the bands that would have been playing on the Concorde 2’s sponsored local stage into the venue, as well as set up some headline slots.
The first of those former Beachdown main stage acts, I’m From Barcelona, played last night, with support from local bands Heels Catch Fire and Absent Elk.
The venue has been working hard to bring in more main- stage acts to fill slots between 7pm and 10pm tonight and tomorrow.
From noon today there will be an extensive live line-up of Brighton bands, all of whom were due to play at Devil’s Dyke.
Sarah Powell, Guy Lloyd and Andrea Fox from Juice 107.2 FM will be hosting the event.
“If it gets busy we will be letting people in one-in, one-out,” says Russell. “So people will have to be patient if that happens. We will let Beachdown ticket-holders in first, so please bring your tickets.
“It felt like the right thing to do,” continues Russell.
“It is a good line-up – I’m glad the bands have agreed to take part.”
Parts of tomorrow’s event will also be broadcast live on Juice.
Bank Holiday Monday had originally been set aside as a free Alternative Notting Hill Carnival event, but some Beachdown bands will now be joining the fluid line-up, including The Telegraphs and The Xcerts.
Russell says the Concorde 2 has been bombarded with calls from vendors and traders who were going to be setting up on the Downs. The venue will be hosting the Oxjam charity stall, along with some real- time illustrators who were set to show off their skills at Beachdown.
But Russell is keen to stress they don’t have any more room for vendors in the venue or outside in Madeira Drive.
The main reason the four-day mini-free-festival has been able to happen is through the support of the Concorde 2’s regular suppliers, including Diageo, who provide the venue’s spirits, and Red Stripe.
“They have committed themselves to the event,” says Russell. “It has made such a difference as it means we can look after the bands when they are here and give them a certain level of hospitality.”
As well as live music on the main stage during the day, an acoustic stage has been set up in the bar, meaning music fans will be able to move between performances as different bands set up.
* From noon, FREE, call 01273 673311 * House Is A Feeling club night on August 29, which starts at 11pm, will feature special guest DJ Trevor Fung, who was set to play at the festival. Reduced tickets of £5 will be available for anyone who says “Beachdown” on the door before 12.30am for both August 29 and Beer And Rap nights on August 30.
Line Up (Subject To Change)
Today from noon to 7pm:
Mean Poppa Lean
Doll And The Kicks (acoustic)
Gloria Cycles
Red Shark In Vegas (acoustic)
FitsRoy
Floors And Walls
Adam Davis
The Plymouths
Sonic Dragon
Sweet Sweet Lies
Puncture Kit
MC Cashback
Tomorrow from noon:
Chris Simmons
Dan Shears
Marina (Nouvelle Vague)
Pippa Drysdale (acoustic)
Kate Miller
Heidkei
Emily Baker (acoustic)
Portslade
The Third Man
Saw Gang Buzz
Ocean Reid
Dan Shears
Monday from noon:
The Xcerts
The Telegraphs
Rebel Control
Ital Love featuring Tappa Roots
Astro Physics
Unity Hi Fi featuring Sister Sessions Satta
Flux Man
Tinroots
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