A review of day one of Brighton’s Great Escape festival. Photos, and reviews of amongst others Bon Iver, Okkervil River and Nathan ‘Flutebox’ Lee. A very busy and tiring night, but one of the best in a long time.

A review of the Rock Bar night at Belushi’s run by Snake in the Grass. 2 local musicians establishing a place for local rock bands to play, and somewhere for fans to see music without spending too much on the door or at the bar.

Live review of Kimya Dawson who played Brighton in May 2008. One half of the Moldy Peaches and heavily featured on the Juno soundtrack, this sold out gig at The Duke of Yorks proved this artist was worth getting excited about.

Live review of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at the Hammersmith Apollo in May 2008 with photos and video footage. Hove resident Nick played one of his rare UK dates this month…”This is clearly one of the best live bands around, perhaps this just wasn’t the best tour to see them for the first time”.

A gig review of Late of the Pier, electro teenage sensations who played the Brighton Barfly when the Levis Ones to Watch tour came to town. Not as good live as they are on record, but if you like MGMT, Metronomy or Hadouken! and 80’s synths you’ll find this band interesting. Videos, photos and more info on the band follow.

A Great Escape Festival preview with suggested itineraries, locations and times, videos and info on the best bands playing.

A live review of The Crucible, who played the Pressure Point Brighton…”This band has an awesome sound…you have to be there to truly experience how massive it is!”. The Crucible are a local band, and it seems like they are well worth some attention. Thanks to our guest reviewer Sally Veness for this one.

Review of a Matt Bauer gig recorded for the Simple Folk radio show. Matt’s new album features Jolie Holland of the Be Good Tanya’s and his music is a little like Iron and Wine and Calexico. Read the review, and find out more about this talented singer songwriter from Brooklyn.

Review of the film Lars and The Real Girl, a heart warming study of mental illness and how it effects people in a tight knit community. Not, as some press releases have given the impression, a gross out comedy about a man and a sex doll.

Review of the full length Grindhouse film from Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. It returns to the Duke of York’s in May.