Ezra Furman

Brighton Festival, Brighton Dome, tonight, 7.30pm

Very few singer-songwriters perform with as much energy as Ezra Furman. The Chicago artist is renowned for his animated stage presence as well as his confessional lyrics, which often tackle subjects like mental health, identity and love. Furman has borrowed from old-school rock and roll for much of his career but his most recent album, Transangelic Exodus, sees him get serious. Furman recently said he wants to move away from “cartoon version” of himself into something darker and more honest.

Michael McIntyre

Brighton Centre, tonight and tomorrow, 7pm

Britain’s biggest comedian is coming to Brighton for a mammoth five-night run. In the UK, McIntyre has performed three arena tours selling more than 1.5 million tickets, including a record 28 dates at London’s O2 Arena.

McIntyre recently said he had adjusted his comedic approach to perform at arenas. He said: “I don’t just like to use punchlines anymore, especially in arenas. They freak me out. There is nothing worse than 15,000 people waiting for a punchline. You’re standing there thinking, ‘I hope I remember the punchline.’ I much prefer getting into that sense of rolling laughter. When you get that right, there’s no better feeling.”

Poets and Illustrators

Brighton Festival, St George’s Church, tonight, 8pm

This special festival event brings together some of the best poets around today with accomplished illustrators. The idea is for both parties to collaborate to create a visual and audio experience, with spoken word accompanied by drawings. The theme of the evening is “hard work”, inspired by festival guest director David

Shrigley’s 2000 book. Hollie McNish features on the bill, the exciting poet who has explored candid themes such as sex and young motherhood. Spoken word specialist Theresa Lola, left, also stars.

Alice Marshall: The Strike

The Warren: Theatre Box, tonight and tomorrow, 8.30pm

After taking home the Best Comedy Award at the 2017 Fringe, Alice Marshall is back with a new show. The Strike features more of her signature characters including Maria, the angriest air stewardess you’ll ever have the misfortune to meet. You’ll also be introduced to eccentric Hollywood mogul Eddie Cornell and mime artist Louise, who is desperate to become the perfect housewife. Alice has featured on Comedy Central, BBC at The Edinburgh Festivals and BBC Radio 4. She was a 2018 Funny Women regional finalist.