Brighton Review: Beach House Sessions (BHS) Festival
Summary
Rating: ★★★★★
Running Dates: Saturday 25th October
Where to see it: Waterbear MusicBar and Waterbear Venue
Duration: all-day
Keywords: festival, music, live performance
Dutch Criminal Records photographed by Esme Brigden
Review
Brighton’s music scene is an ever-growing ecosystem, with emerging and talented artists sprouting from every corner of the city. Music venues are plentiful and every Brightonian knows where to find live music any day of the week. And yet, there’s never enough.
The Beach House Sessions (BHS) Festival arrived at the perfect place, perfect time, to satiate our need for more, more, more music. The BHS Fest was a whole-day of music, dancing, and incredible fun. Spanning over two venues with 16 artists, the BHS Fest was 10 hours of pure magic. It was a celebration of the spirit that keeps Brighton alive, the spirit of a community that supports its local art scene and artists, the spirit of people that want to keep this city full of music and beauty.
Designed and curated by Toma Lazarov, the BHS Fest was organized to celebrate the Beach House Sessions’ first birthday. Taking place in a secret location on our beautiful seafront, the Beach House Sessions are exclusive live-performances recorded monthly in front of an audience of only 25 people. Their aim is to showcase emerging artists in an unusual and innovative environment.
During this past year, the Beach House Sessions have gained many supporters, with more than a hundred people attending the Festival. The energy was nothing short of magical. It is rare to stand in a room packed with so much talent. The well-curated line up included bands like Dutch Criminal Records, Bex, and Bones Ate Arfa, who were my personal favourite of the evening. Each band brought something new and different to the stage, never a moment of dullness or quiet. There was always more music to move your feet to.
Dutch Criminal Records photographed by Esme Brigden
There was no barrier between performers and audience. We all shared the same space, discussing music, art, and the need for more events like the BHS Fest, which shone a bright light on the amazing talent residing in this city.
Trying to ‘make it’ as an artist is no easy feat. The cost of living crisis goes up every year, competition is high, and there’s virtually no support or recognition from the government. Having doors being continually shut for you can feel demoralizing, hopeless at times. I found the BHS Fest to be the perfect cure for such feelings. It was affirmative and so incredibly uplifting to be in the company of fellow artists, who understand that art isn’t a ‘hobby’. It’s valuable and necessary to our livelihoods and happiness.
That is why the BHS Fest was so special. It created a space not only to enjoy some great music and have fun, but to uphold and celebrate the beauty that is to be an artist. It gave us a chance to say thank you to the people that make our life more beautiful through their music.
See If: You enjoy live music and want to discover your next favourite artist
Last Impressions: Check out the Beach House Sessions for exclusive live music performances
Written by Roberta Guarini