Tucked away just off Western Road lies the Vegetarian Sanctuary Café which fits in snugly to compliment the wide range of restaurants paving the way into Hove (actually). The Sanctuary also houses Cella, a tiny underground hideaway that plays host to many a candlelit evening often to the pleasant accompaniment of a band or two; tonight was no different.

Angelic melodies filled the Cella this evening in the form of Brighton’s own Al Start. In one of the first of many more ‘Pride Specials’ to come, this women’s only event went down a treat.

Billed as ‘an evening for the more discerning lady’ Al’s enchanting voice could have enveloped the snobbiest of all music snobs and taken them back to the days when West Pier stood in flames yet the Palm Readers booth held on tight or when Curly Wurly’s cost little more than six pence. With tales such as these being the key inspirations behind some of Al’s music, the banter between songs encouraged the crowd to listen a little more closely to the lyrical references being made.

With such an intimate setting it was difficult not to be hanging on Al’s every note.

For those of you unlucky enough to have overlooked such a pleasurable evening, Al can be caught charming more ladies at the Women’s Tent next Saturday in Preston Park, I know where I’ll be! Not to be missed!