Hidden Herd promoters have announced yet another quality selection of a quartet of rising stars for our pleasure as part of their monthly new music sessions held at Brighton’s iconic The Hope & Ruin. The date in question is Thursday 24th September and the bill features Big Fear, Kate Peaches, everyday saints and Girl Apocrypha.
We’ve yet to witness Big Fear in action, but we’ve had the pleasure of catching live the other three acts. Here’s more information:
Big Fear are a rising London duo comprised of Alice Edwards and Jack Wilkinson. Dystopian and operatic, their sound blends elements of alt-pop and indie rock, led by the magnetic storytelling of singer Alice Edwards, who creates a space where outsiders can belong. The band’s vision sprang into life with their flawless debut EP ‘Career Day’, produced by Charlie Andrew (alt-J, Wolf Alice) – a collection of songs that are set to surpass 350,000 Spotify streams and have been featured on editorial playlists such as New Music Friday, Melomania, Hot New Bands and Peach. Backed by praise from BBC Radio 6 Music, Dork and Clash Magazine, plus spins on John Kennedy’s Radio X show and BBC Music Introducing, Big Fear appeared at Truck Festival last summer and recently supported The Howlers at London’s Scala. This year, they’ve unveiled two brilliant new singles, ‘Courier Mail’ and ‘Anger’, as a precursor to their forthcoming follow-up EP ‘New Hire’, and are set to tour the UK later in 2026.
Kate Peaches – The Mesmerist, Brighton 16.5.26:
I’ve now made my way to The Mesmerist for my final trio of Escape related performances. First up is an artist I’ve been wanting to catch for some time now, having been a great advocator for her previous band Slant. I’m talking about Brighton-based songwriter Kate Peaches of course! With her flowing locks and an Akai MPK mini synth, plus a guitarist with a laptop, they set about summoning the punter’s innermost good-time party animal instincts as they dive straight into the music. The opener is a dance tune with dreamy synths with a dollop of Kate Bush/B-52’s style vocals and theatrical flair, which reminds me somewhat of former Brighton based artist Circe. The mixing levels aren’t quite right on this, but by tune two the slight error is rectified. It’s an even more dancey number akin to the best Kylie Minogue club numbers. Track three is her new single which is even more of a bopper with a Human League ‘Dare’ album vibe. Next up is a tune which has a retro 80’s Hi-NRG beat, and is eclipsed by another stomper ‘Baby Princess Queen’ which is another humongous offering of Hi-NRG beats which is better than any Eurovision offering today. The punters loved her! It’s been a busy year thus far for Kate with a trio of singles already dropped: ‘Easy Action’, ‘Tell Her All The Time’ and ‘Bored’, and surely it can’t be long before an EP or even LP is in the offering! I’ve finally popped my Kate Peaches cherry and I’m looking forward to catching her uplifting set in the very near future!
everyday saints – Green Door Store, Brighton 8.8.25
Opening were Brighton indie-pop outfit Everyday Saints (stylised as everyday saints). Performing as a three piece, they are Pip Rainbird (vocals), Jade Middleton (vocals) and Amelia Holder (bass). The intro track ‘I’ve Told Every Little Star’, a 1961 teen pop hit for Linda Scott, suggested that something different was coming from Everyday Saints. As well as their different line up, they had a very different sound. Early in their set singer Pip announced that it was going to be “a test run, just to manage your expectations”. Everyday Saints had a noticeably punchier more intense direct dance sound, yet still keeping their unique spooky pop feel and catchy melodies. Don’t worry, those incredible vocal harmonies between Pip and Jade, so key to Everyday Saints’ sounds, were still there. Everyday Saints may have cautiously managed the audience’s expectations for their evolution. Just a few bars in, once I had adjusted to their new sound, they exceeded my high hopes. It was a confident assured performance combining Everyday Saints’ amazing vocal harmonies and spooky feel, but enhanced by samples and effects and with a more upfront electronic dance sound.
Girl Apocrypha – at The Hope & Ruin, Brighton 11.3.26
Girl Apocrypha snapped the room into sharper focus with a striking set that fused dark alternative rock with avant‑pop. Fronted by Emia Demir, with Willow Simpson on bass and Nathan Hayward on drums, the trio played with the confidence of a band already shaping their own path. After years of fulfilling guitar and bass duties in rock and grunge bands, Emia now stands fully in her own right, like a rock star and a pop star crashing together. They opened with ‘Thank God’, an indie‑leaning burst of avant‑pop lifted by Emia’s cool, charismatic vocals edged with self‑assured sassiness. ‘Love Song’ brought playful phrasing and a punchy rock lift, before debut single ‘Dealer’ slipped from whispered sultriness into something more urgent. It showcased their most dynamic writing. ‘Like Adam Would’ hit harder, Emia and Willow’s guitars locking instinctively, while ‘Coren’ dropped the pace with a haunting stillness. An upbeat cover of MGMT’s ‘Kids’ had more of the crowd dancing. Before the final number Emia asked “Want to know a secret?” as she unfurled a banner announcing their next single, ‘Madonna’. The thrilling shift to a dance‑driven style landed brilliantly. Dark glasses on, Emia leaned into a more theatrical persona for a bold, stylish finale that earned huge applause.
Purchase your tickets for the 24th September concert HERE.
