Future-facing sounds
The electrifying Les Amazones d’Afrique headline Brighton Dome Corn Exchange on 2 October. The internationally-acclaimed powerhouse collective launch the new era of African Soul Rebels — a touring live series celebrating African resistance, joy and innovation through music. Joining Les Amazones are the not-so-traditional babatoni player Gasper Nali from the shores of Lake Malawi and Guinean balafon player N'famady Kouyaté, whose music blends West African heritage with western influences from the likes of The Flaming Lips.
Landmark anniversary celebrations
English rock band Embrace celebrate thirty years together (17 Nov) and original punk legends The Damned perform as part of their 50th anniversary tour (25 Nov). There are unique reimaginings of iconic albums: The London African Gospel Choir mark 40 years of Paul Simon’s Graceland with their joyful gospel-inspired performance on 18 September, and seven-piece band HEJIRA celebrate the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell’s album of the same name (28 Nov).
Musical legends
Influential indie dance and electronic pop trio Saint Etienne perform as part of their farewell tour on 25 September. Following the performance, Saint Etienne will present an exclusive after party unique to Brighton Dome. Dance the rest of the night away with the band DJing, alongside very special guests. There are gigs from iconic artists throughout autumn, including Alison Moyetplaying songs from the back catalogue of her synth-pop duo Yazoo(10 Oct) and greatest hits from rock and roll legend Lulu(15 Oct). Van Morrison performs his new blues-inspired album(30–31 Oct), there is a one off show from iconic 80s pop band Dexys Midnight Runners(1 Nov), The Proclaimersreturn with their highly-anticipated new album (11 Nov), Ultravox frontman Midge Ure performs his bold and visionary Man of Two Worlds Tour(23 Nov) and critically-acclaimed Britpop band Shed Sevenplay(24 Nov). Other acts in the Concert Hall include neo-prog band Marillion(13 Sep), music hall star Michael Ball(22 Sep), folk duo The Shires(12 Nov), folk-stroke-big band artists Bellowhead(16 Nov), genre-bending performers Dutty Moonshine Big Band (20 Nov) and Emmy-nominated singer-songwriter Ben Folds(26 Nov).
Unmissable indie, pop and rock
Boundary-breaking artist Ezra Furman brings her high-energy, punk-infused rock to the Corn Exchange on 28 October, and genre-bending nu-jazz artist Joshua Idehen performs on 5 November. Other acts include Americana band The Jayhawks (15 Sep), upbeat indie artist Freya Ridings (17 Sep),alt-rock band The Wonder Stuff (8 Oct), soulful singer-songwriter Frazey Ford (27 Oct)and Irish folk-rockers Hothouse Flowers (23 Nov).
Intimate performances and emerging artists
In the Studio Theatre, South Asian music night the Mehfil Space presents a relaxed, intimate performance by renowned tabla player Sanju Sahai and Bansuri master Jason Kalidas (3 Oct). Later in the year, young bands and performers brought together by Brighton Dome’s music education service Create Music take to the stage for three nights in Sounds from the City (16–18 Nov).
