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SKA Festival...
review
One of the great things about Brighton is that we can embrace a diversity of musical genres, and that we have the capacity and range of venues to accommodate.
Bank holiday Sunday at the Concorde 2 was Host to a happy, shiny, dancing, rocking reunion that brought together Ska fans from not just the South Coast, but London, Cambridge and even as far afield as Parma, Italy. Lifelong enthusiasts in their fifties to teenage first-timers came together in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.  Classic skinheads and sudeheads with razor sharp turnups on their denims and brilliant mirror-bright cherry reds, tonic suits, braces and vintage Ben Shermans mixed freely with the laid back natty haired dreads and an odd sprinkling of 60's swirly-shirted flower children. Its always a winner when people are brought together by a mutual love of music, and that was what we got - Lauren Aitken, The Hotknives, 2 Tonic, Smoke Like A Fish and King size kept the crowd happy and dancing till 2am. It's great to see a diverse range of talented performers and skilled musicians who know how to keep a crowd happy. And not just their own dedicated followers but the whole crowd.
Ska is such a well defined musical form that even the most inexperienced punter can fall straight into the right groove. Just try and recall the last time you saw a crowd dancing to the fill-in music between acts!
Sunday was like a big old school class reunion. The bar was full all night with people making friends, catching up and keeping the faith. The beauty of the Concorde is that you can relax in the main bar and actually hear yourself talk and still feel part of the main action on the stage. The bar staff are as fast and friendly as ever and the the beauty of faded, shabby grandeur and rusty ironwork and evening sun setting on sea right outside the window made it the perfect place for another unique night in a unique venue.
If Ska/punk/rare groove floats your boat - then you live in the right town. If you liked that - you may like this:
where to find...
The Brighton Ska/punk/Hardcore scene is pretty healthy - check Punkerbunker, 34 Sydney Street, for clothing, CD's and tickets, The Freebut, Pheonix Place and The Cella bar under The Sanctuary Cafe, Brunswick Street East for frequent gigs and late night events and regular Tuesday nights at the Ocean Rooms, Morley Street, and don't forget the new exhibition of the history of the Ben Sherman shirt at the Brighton Museum... and of course, keep an eye on the listings at realbrighton.com.
about Concorde 2
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Okay, so you may have to walk a bit to reach it... but that just makes it that little bit more exclusive doesn't it! Located along Madeira Drive, the Concorde 2 is a sizeable venue with a huge variety of clubnights and bands on each month. Some top names, some great festivals, World Music... you name it. If you can't find something to pique your interest then you might as well pack your bags and head for Eastbourne... The next Concorde 2 date for your diary:
Monday, 8th September
Jeff Lewis & The Jitters
Click for more info and complete listings for Concorde 2 
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The Aquarium Theatre Bar
