Thousands descend on Brighton seafront for Mod Weekender

Now a firmly established fixture in Brighton's events calendar, the four-day celebration of mod culture features live bands, club nights, DJs, markets, scooter displays and the famous scooter ride-out along the Sussex coast.

Organised by New Untouchables, the event has been held in Brighton since 2005 and attracts visitors from across the UK and overseas.

Visitors can enjoy performances at venues including Komedia, Patterns and the Volks, while Madeira Drive and the seafront provide a colourful backdrop for the weekend's daytime activities.

The city has long been regarded as the spiritual home of mod culture.

Hundreds of Mods gathered on Brighton seafront on Friday afternoon for the annual Mod Weekender event (Image: Simon Dack)

Brighton's association with the movement dates back to the early 1960s, when the famous clashes between mods and rockers on the seafront became national news and cemented the city's place in British youth culture history.

The events later inspired elements of the cult film Quadrophenia, with several scenes filmed around Brighton's seafront.

Today, the Weekender celebrates far more than the fashion and scooters for which the movement is famous.

The event showcases the music at the heart of mod culture, from soul, rhythm and blues and ska to beat music and mod revival acts.

Vintage clothing traders, record dealers and collectors also descend on the city, creating a festival atmosphere throughout the North Laine and seafront areas.

One of the highlights remains Sunday's scooter ride-out, when dozens of immaculate Lambrettas and Vespas tour the coast before returning to Brighton, providing one of the most spectacular sights of the weekend.

Whether you're attending a sold-out club night or simply admiring the rows of polished scooters on Madeira Drive, the Brighton Mod Weekender continues to celebrate a subculture that has been woven into the city's identity for more than six decades.