Heavenly Recordings label night after party.

BCUC bring their award-winning afro-psychedelic future pop from Soweto to Brighton - raw, political and hypnotic Renowned for their raucous, knock-out live performances and following their 2024 sell out show, BCUC - Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness return to Brighton Dome with their own mix of indigenous sounds, funk, hip-hop consciousness and punk rock energy. A stone’s throw from the church where Desmond Tutu organised the escape of the most wanted anti-Apartheid activists of Soweto, BCUC rehearse in a shipping container-turned community restaurant, where their indomitable outspokenness echoes in a whole new way. Like its elders, BCUC sees its music as a hedonistic trance, but also as a weapon of political and spiritual liberation. This seven-piece band has mesmerised audiences both locally and globally with its indigenous funk and high-energy performances, making them today one of South Africa’s most successful musical exports. "Not much comes close to the experience of watching BCUC live" Crack Magazine

We, Generate is a youth-led exhibition and live arts programme by Lighthouse’s Future Creative Leaders, combining art, music and workshops. It explores how young people actively shape culture, inviting audiences to imagine a fairer, bolder world. Featuring exhibitions, live events, conversations, and a youth takeover, it’s a space for experimentation and community. Meet Lighthouse’s Future Creative Leaders Casey Galt - Championing neurodivergent voices through inclusive, colourful multidisciplinary creative practice. Elsa Monteith - Telling thoughtful, narrative-driven stories that spotlight emerging artists and grassroots culture. Dr. Fezile Sibanda - Exploring race, coloniality and marginalised experiences to reshape education systems. Jed Wright - Building offline, grassroots creative communities through events, poetry and collective exchange. Kaia Allen-Bevan - Reimagining education through bold anti-racist leadership, entrepreneurship and joyful political creativity. Levvy - Using music, film and design to creatively communicate mental health and reach young people at scale. Lucia Comaschi - Blending digital design and traditional storytelling to amplify underrepresented voices and identities. Megan Lee - Creating accessible, gentle creative spaces that nurture wellbeing, connection and joy. Molly Taylor - Championing young people’s lived experience as a superpower for collective action and systems change. Naiya - Transforming lived experience into immersive, multidisciplinary storytelling rooted in growth and self-belief. Supported by Charity Bank, Chalk Cliff, Sussex Community, UK Innovate, Brighton Dome & Festival.

What happens when young people take reins? Sounds Like Us is a bold, youth-curated event reimagining the sounds of yesterday for today. Taking inspiration from music of the 1960s, emerging performers aged 14-19 from Sussex will take over Brighton Dome Studio Theatre for an evening of music, dance, poetry and more. Shaped and designed by a youth panel alongside young creative professionals, this multidisciplinary event will showcase up-and-coming talent from across Sussex. Meet the Young Professional Creatives Azra Thorlby Azra is a Project Assistant (Youth Engagement) at Future Creators, where they support young people at events and champions youth voice and participation within the organisation. They also contribute to wider organisational projects, including the digital badging initiative and data administration. Azra comes from a background in music and youth advocacy, which shapes their passion for building meaningful spaces for young people in the arts. Emma Staples Emma is a Project Assistant (Youth Engagement) at Future Creators. She works across a range of areas within the organisation, including youth engagement, social media and communications, impact reporting, and supporting events and youth initiatives. Emma is passionate about empowering young people and helping them build confidence and awareness of opportunities within the creative industries. Nancy Batters Nancy is the Programmes Coordinator for Create Music. She works closely with Schools and partners of the Sussex Music Hub to support in CPD sessions, One Voice and Network meetings for Primary, Secondary and SEND teachers. Nancy also works closely with the Future Creators team, assisting in events with Young People across Sussex. Before working for Create Music, Nancy worked as a Production Assistant at a performing art university. Sarah Woodmansey Sarah is the Music Centre, Concerts and Events Administrator for Create Music. As well as working across events and music centre, Sarah works closely with the Brighton & East Sussex Youth Orchestra, supporting the organisation of their annual tour and co-chairing their Student Leaders meeting. Before Create Music, Sarah worked in theatre, participatory arts and education.

OUT - Ray Young (Studio Theatre)

AK/DK and Danalogue come together to share the stage for a night dedicated to building mind-melting sonic worlds through the most imaginative and authentic use of synths, beats and full-on live performances. Having recently toured the world as a founding member and producer of the powerful, revered and musically unclassifiable trio The Comet Is Coming, Dan Leavers aka Danalogue (Live AV), brings hypnotic analogue synths, pulsating drum machines and cosmic textures to the Brighton Dome Studio Theatre to take us on a journey through propulsive dancefloor dreamscapes. With Live AV by Lewes-based visual artist Innerstrings, Danalogue osclilates rhythms between ethereal dream states and high-energy dancefloors, bouncing off the adrenalin felt in the room. Known for their high-energy and structural abandon as a live act, AK/DK will close the night with improvised layers of fuzzed-up synths, delays and thunderous double drums. Their stream of fizzing arpeggios and crushing motorik drums has earned them places on stages and at festivals all around the UK, Europe and South America including Manchester Psych, Latitude and End of The Road.

New Generation Jazz continue their mission to bring the best international jazz talent to Brighton presenting Grammy-nominated US jazz-fusion legends KNEEBODY for their only UK gig outside London KNEEBODY, are globally recognised as one of the most genre bending, adventurous and exciting bands of their generation for their sheer virtuosity and musicianship. Their sound is an explosive blend of rock energy and high-level, nuanced chamber ensemble playing, set within the frames of highly wrought compositions that balance adventurous, no-holds-barred improvisation. Now, in 2025, Kneebody embarks on an exciting new chapter with the release of their highly anticipated album, Reach, set to drop on April 18 via GroundUP Music. This marks the band's latest project as a quartet, featuring keyboardist Adam Benjamin, trumpeter Shane Endsley, saxophonist Ben Wendel, and the uniquely dynamic Nate Wood, who simultaneously handles both bass and drums. Reach exemplifies Kneebody’s continued evolution, pushing the boundaries of genre while delivering their signature blend of intricate composition and raw energy. Support comes from New Generation Jazz showcase ensemble New Generation Jazz Futures. Jazz Futures is a free access music education programme for young people based at Brighton Youth Centre, providing weekly group workshops, talent development and performance opportunities for young jazz musicians. Presented by New Generation Jazz Cohesion is the truest constant in the music of Kneebody, a band that inhabits the borderland abutted by post-bop, indie-rock and hip-hop, without seeming to give much thought to the borders New York Times

Eighteen global musicians from sixteen countries come together with one bold musical vision for a special opening night party One World Orchestra transcends boundaries to create their exciting signature sound, bringing together musicians from the UK, Colombia, India, Kenya and Ukraine to blend mesmerising rhythms, stories and energies. Together they make an exhilarating fusion where ancient instruments meet contemporary beats, salsa montunos collide with English folk and Arabic maqams, and authentic rhythms from around the world pulse through UK Grime and African harmonies. The group exists as a proud declaration that difference isn't just to be tolerated, but is a vital force that can strengthen and heal fractured communities. In a special opening night party for Brighton Festival, One World Orchestra present a night of two halves; a full live concert followed by a collaboration with DJ and Producer Max Wheeler, where instruments and electronic production come together to get you dancing and celebrating. OWO is extraordinary - a rare gem where the quality of their music matches the depth of their integrity Jill Furmanovsky, photographer awarded ICON status by Abbey Road Studios

BHASVIC Music present their fabulous 2nd year BTEC bands playing a wide range of covers and original songs.