Best live music in Feb 2025

‍EMILY BARKER

Weds 5 Feb  

The Prince Albert, Brighton

Following the release of her new album, Fragile As Humans, this folk-tinged singer songwriter is embarking upon a headline tour of the UK this spring.

Her song Nostalgia was the theme for acclaimed BBC crime drama Wallander, which starred Kenneth Branagh. In addition, her writing has already been lauded by The Guardian, NPR and The Australian. She’s already toured extensively, including with Frank Turner and Mary Chapin Carpenter, and was the 2018 UK Americana Artist of the Year. Barker's first collection of poetry Where The Black Swans Swim was published this year through UK publisher Broken Sleep Books.

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SAY NOW  

Weds 5 Feb

O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London

Fresh from winning Glamour’s Women of the Year ‘Rising Star’ award and being tipped by The Grammys as a “Girl Group To Know”, Say Now have released their new single, Makeup Sex; produced by Billen Ted (RAYE) and Maestro (Rihanna, Tyla).  

Celebrated for spearheading a new wave of Gen Z feminism and embracing their own sisterhood, on Say Now defy the usual narrative of hooking up with an ex as Amelia, Maddie and Yssy examine their own toxic behaviours and trade stories of early morning rendezvous’. Last year saw them breakthrough, with a support for Kylie at BST Hyde Park, performing at the UK's biggest pop festival, Mighty Hoopla, collaborating with fashion brand remass, and bagging a cameo from Girls Aloud icon Nadine Coyle in the music video for Trouble, and 2025 looks set to be even bigger.

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‍FAIRPORT CONVENTION

Sun 9 Feb

Connaught Theatre, Worthing

With a career spanning 58 years, Fairport Convention are celebrating 55 years on from their seminal Full House album – with main players Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg and Dave Mattacks all joining the line-up for this new tour.

Formed in 1967, the band pioneered the blending of traditional instruments with electric instrumentation, in turn becoming synonymous with the 'electric-folk' sound. Their annual music festival attracts up to 15,000 people to the fields of Oxfordshire each August, and unlike many of their peers, they continue to sell out venues across the country - delighting both existing fans and new converts alike. With their most well-known track Who Knows Where The Time Goes now nearing 30 million Spotify plays, the band remain as the  true statesmen of British music - cherished by critics, musicians and fans alike.  

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SOPHIE JAMIESON  

Tues 11 Feb

The Folklore Rooms, Brighton

This London-based singer-songwriter has been celebrated for delivering uncomfortably honest songs direct to the heart. Her deep, raw voice pivots from wobbling vulnerability to soaring, pent-up longing unleashed. Her second LP, I Still Want To Share, was released through Bella Union last moth.

Joing her is Lando Manning, a South London-based psych-folk singer-songwriter whose music blends introspective lyrics with acoustic and minimalist soundscapes. Influenced by artists ranging from Syd Barrett to Hiroshi Yoshimura, his style incorporates elements of 1970s folk and ambient music, creating a dreamy and melancholic atmosphere. Manning’s recent EP, Brighter Days, explores themes of grief, isolation, and hope, reflecting his personal experiences during a challenging period.

‍MARY OCHER  

Weds 12 Feb

The Rose Hill, Brighton

Following shows across Europe and North America in the last year, this Berlin-based experimental pop artist returns to the UK armed with two vastly celebrated records released only months apart: Your Guide To Revolution and Approaching Singularity: Music For The End Of Time. These recordings were mixed with Mike Lindsay of Tunng and LUMP and feature collaborations with Mogwai, Red Axes, composer Roberto Cacciapaglia, harpist Serafina Steer (Bas Jan/Jarvis Cocker), Mary’s drummer duo Your Government, pieces by Dorothy Ashby/Omar Khayyam, a homage to electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire and much more. The recordings from cumbia, post-punk, folk and field recordings, to cosmic synth compositions and deconstructed techno.

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C DUNCAN  

Tues 25 Feb  

Komedia Studio, Brighton

Born and raised in Glasgow by two classical musicians, Chris Duncan studied piano and viola, before taking up guitar, bass, and drums in his teens, eventually studying music composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

After graduating he began work on his Mercury nominated debut Architect, which was released in 2015 and after a spell of touring the UK and Europe he returned to his home studio and began work on his Twilight Zone inspired second album The Midnight Sun which was released in 2016 and shortlisted for Scottish Album of the Year. Now, his new album It’s Only A Love Song has been recorded in his “new and improved” home studio and was released in last; continuing the story of one of Britain’s most compelling artists.  

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THE GUS BAND  

Sat 22 Feb

The Hawth Crawley

Originally known as the Munn and Felton Works Band, The GUS Band was formed by Fred Felton in 1933 in Kettering. Since then, the band has gone on to establish itself as one of the leading bands, with a string of titles to its name and regular appearances at the National Brass Band Championships in the Royal Albert Hall.  

In 2023 the band celebrated its 90th anniversary and did so in style by winning the Midland Regional Championships for a record 28th time, making them the most successful brass band ever in the Midlands.  

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IN CELEBRATION OF LOW  

Fri 28 Feb  

St George's Church, Brighton  

This free show celebrates Duluth Minnesota’s finest slo-core artists, who when on tour made St George’s Church their chosen venue in Brighton to perform in. The night will feature many talented Brighton artists who’ve previously collaborated with Melting Vinyl and St George’s.

All of the participants have been influenced and inspired by Low's music - from the soaring glory of Night House and Bella Spinks and the chamber pop of David Bramwell’s: Oddfellows Casino, to the introspective sounds of M Butterfly. The night will be part standing and partly seated with an ‘in a round’ feel, the space being utilised unlike any previous performance at the church. This promises to be a very special, magical night to remember, as we shake off the last ambers of winter and welcome in the spring.

NASTY LITTLE LONELY  

Fri 28 Feb

The Prince Albert, Brighton

Creating music which provide the soundtrack to your darkest dreams, Nasty Little Lonely summon images of post-apocalyptic decadence, discarded trappings of consumerism gone awry, alienation and small furry creatures with very sharp teeth. Their album Rack And Ruin, two EPs and four singles have all attracted critical acclaim. Vocalist/bass player Charlie Beddoes was originally a founder member of 90s bands Rub Ultra and No Santa and has played bass for many artists including Trash Palace (with Brian Molko) and more recently, Lodestar (with members of 90s rap-rockers Senser).

They’re supported by Triple Drain, local trio who have stormed onto UKs alternative rock scene. Completing the line-up is Slag: an alternative rock band also based in Brighton, who are inventing something new from the bones of familiarity.

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