DITZ + STUDIO 20 – THE PRINCE ALBERT, BRIGHTON 6.6.26
Filthy, brash post-punk is the vessel that DITZ use to air their frustrations with gender norms, bigotry and the contradictions that plague society. The five-piece formed from the corners of Brighton’s music scene a decade ago, were drawn together by a shared love for anything that features a guitar and sounds best blasted from a fuzzy speaker. Their debut album, ‘The Great Regression’ (2022), was described by Pitchfork as “a rage-forward bulldozer of poetic wordplay and experimental hardcore”, while live the outfit have developed a reputation for crowd-surfing and stage-stomping.
DITZ comprises Cal Francis (vocals), Anton Mocock (guitars), Caleb Remnant (bass guitar, keys), Jack Looker (guitar, keys) and Sam Evans (drums) and we personally have been singing their praises for a number of years now! They were even selected as one of the few bands who performed live at punk icon Jordan Mooney’s Charity Memorial Concert back in 2022. IDLES frontman Joe Talbot on more than one occasion has flagged DITZ as Brighton’s best band, and so it comes as no surprise that DITZ were then selected as tour support with IDLES right across Europe.
On 24th January 2025 the next DITZ chapter arrived with the unleashing of their 10-track ‘Never Exhale’ album which was largely recorded at Holy Mountain studios in London during a freezing cold January. The record has its roots in the usual DITZ influences, classic noise rock such as The Jesus Lizard or Shellac, or the obtuse post punk of The Fall, but also brings in fresh influences. The closing track ‘Britney’, could be compared to Radiohead or Mogwai. Overall the album is a clear development from their first effort. A sign of things to come.
As a live outfit, DITZ always somehow manage to deliver by the bucket-load. Arguably, some would even state that the band are best enjoyed live and in the flesh. Over the past 10 years they have certainly carved their own niche and their live sets have grown in stature as a result. Thus playing larger and larger concert venues throughout the UK and Europe, but never losing sight of their grass roots. And so after their 16-date European tour, which saw them play no less than 4 Italian dates, as well as thrilling punters in Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, Sweden, The Netherlands and France, DITZ are today performing two intimate shows at Brighton’s iconic Prince Albert venue, courtesy of Lout promoters. Their evening show from 8pm to 11pm sold out in no time, and so they added an extra 3pm to 6pm matinee concert, which also sold out. We are reviewing all of the evening’s proceedings.
DITZ take to the stage at 9:18pm and we are in their company for the next 91 minutes, until 10:49pm. During that space we are rewarded, according to their setlists, no less than 20 tunes! There’s masses of anticipation in the air from the faithful gathered, and tonight has the feeling that something legendary is about to happen. It does!
Frontperson Cal immediately informs us that they are going to be “Starting the set the way they have never done before” and they launch right into ‘No Thanks, I’m Full’ from 2022’s ‘The Great Regression’ album, which any self-respecting DITZ fan knows, is their go to final number. From the off Cal heads into the crowd and a circle pit begins, after which we are all encouraged to crouch down and pop up again, which we (mainly) dutifully comply with. There’s copious amounts of foot-pedal action and heavy drumming going on, which carries on throughout the whole set. ‘No Thanks, I’m Full’ is an immense opener and quite possibly the best one I’ve witnessed live all year so far! I’m positioned at the front with my hand solidly placed on one of the stage floor speakers, so I’m not only watching the band and listening to the music, but feeling it as the vibrations enter my body.
The Prince Albert new lighting is much better than it ever used to be with those old lights stuck on burn-out red. It’s got the vibe of a proper venue now and not just a pub, and the soundsystem is just as good. There’s even a new backdrop as well, although today it’s totally obscured by a DITZ banner. So here’s a grassroots music venue that is proudly re-investing in the concert experience, for the musicians and punters alike, which is fabulous to see.
Interestingly, I note that Cal is using a cool looking flat style microphone, instead of the usual round ones. Overall the lads are fully armed and ready and are taking no prisoners! Mid-set, Cal brings out an Aztec inspired instrument, more on that later. Anton (stage left, our right) flits between two guitars during the performance with both of these having the additional tremolo arm, so added “whaaa whaaa”, with one of these being a Squier Jazzmaster. Sam to the rear of the stage, has no less than 4 cymbals at the ready as part of his drumkit. There’s a presets unit available as well. Caleb is in charge of his Fender Jazz bass guitar, as well as two layers of keyboards, one of which is vintage, and I spy on top of one of those is a laptop, but I don’t recall anyone using it. Finally to our left (stage right) is former stixman Jack, who has a trio of guitars at the ready, one of these being a Burns with an innovative Rezo-Tube vibrato and bridge system, he also supplies the occasional backing vocals.
Song two was ‘Taxi Man’ from 2025’s ‘Never Exhale’ album and just when you were beginning to think that the entertainment levels had peeked on the opening number, Cal not only secured another circle pit, but somehow managed to stand high and mighty above the crowd whilst being supported by fans’ hands. This gave Cal the ability to spin the silver disco ball hanging above the punters. He did make it back to earth, but not for very long, as folk hoisted Cal aloft again and he was paraded around. It’s gonna be one of those gigs! It’s becoming obvious to me that I’m so drawn into proceedings with everything that’s going on, that a song-by-song review isn’t going to be an option tonight. It’s one eye on the stage and one-eye on the lively punters, whilst trying to ensure that the only professional photographer present, our very own Sara-Louise Bowrey and her equipment are kept safe.
We get two more cuts from the DITZ ‘Never Exhale’ album, these being ‘Four’ and ‘God On A Speed Dial’, which are then followed by a quartet of tunes from 2022’s ‘The Great Regression’ album, these being ‘The Warden’, ‘Ded Würst’, ‘hehe’ and ‘Teeth’. Some time during this segment, Cal divides the crowd in two, and then when signalled they politefully rush at each other in one joyous harmony. Sam is so at it this evening that his snare drum becomes a casualty. An immediate replacement was thankfully secured. The aural onslaught continued with a newbie titled ‘Death Whistle’, which I believe had its live premier on 12th April this year in Italy at Covo Club in Bologna, and it’s for this track that Cal utilizes a modern take on a “ehecachichtli” aka an Aztec Death Whistle. As he blew into this the internal airflow produced a piercing, high-frequency shriek like that of a human scream in agony. On a brighter note the punters sang “Happy Birthday to DITZ”, which was a nice touch. Little did we know that we had actually peaked slightly too early!
The rumbly bass guitar, heavy guitar action and attacking drums onslaught continued with ‘Britney’ from their ‘Never Exhale’ album. Cal is back in with the fans for some up-close action and again is hoisted aloft. After this, their setlists read “Cake Break” which isn’t another new tune, but in fact a small break in proceedings whilst an American lady called Kate enters the room with a 10th birthday cake. It looks yummy! Wooden forks are handed out to our 5 champions and they all dig in, whilst we (again) sing “Happy Birthday To DITZ”. Cal’s review was “It’s lovely and moist!”. But there’s many more songs to get through, and so the remainder of the cake is transferred back to their dressing room…“Rock’n’roll eh!”.
Having eaten some moist cake, the quintet were now ready to burn off some more calories, none more so than topless drummer Sam, who really is a master of his trade. ‘I Am Kate Moss’ from ‘The Great Regression’ should get them back on the case, and indeed they do. The setlists are now showing “Tarzan” as the next tune. I’m not familiar with this one, so I’m guessing it’s another newbie. Their 2023 ‘Riverstone’ single comes next, and I think Cal said that this was the very first time that they have ever played this tune live. There’s some vintage keys action from Caleb and rapid cymbal action from Sam. Three more from their ‘Never Exhale’ album are next, these being ‘Space/Smile’, ‘Senor Siniestro’ and ‘The Body As A Structure’. Within this section Anton has managed to produce an unusual sound like a woodpecker via a couple of foot-pedals connected to his guitar.
Cal then informs us that they haven’t played the next offering “for ages”. This turns out to be the hard and fast ‘Two’ from 2016’s ‘EP1’, which is a real set highlight for yours truly. They are then joined by Ed Lamb from noise rock post-hardcore power-trio Staff Party who takes over Jack’s duties for one track, this being ‘Summer Of The Shark’ which is located on the DITZ 2023 ‘Live From The Louisiana, Bristol’ album. Another set highlight for me comes next with the arrival of their 2018 ‘Seeking Arrangement’ single, which this evening is wandering towards sounding like Motörhead.
The lads had finally reached the end of their set, and as they had opened with ‘No Thanks, I’m Full’, I’m sure many fans were wondering what they would be getting. The answer was delivered by Cal who addressed the crowd by informing us that in a few months time they will be performing at a festival immediately before the artist who penned the next tune and that they are very tempted to play it that night. I reckon they should! The act in question is Peaches, who played in Brighton last month as part of The Great Escape, and the tune in question is ‘F*ck The Pain Away’ which DITZ released on their 2020 ‘5 Songs’ EP. Tonight’s version was a great rendition, and Cal ended by saying his trademark quote “Thank you very much, we’re DITZ from Brighton”.
At 10:49pm that was our lot and many folk headed to the merch stall in order to grab a limited edition 10th anniversary t-shirt and the like. Once again DITZ had delivered by the bucket-load, and according to a trio of ladies I individually spoke to after the set who all had also witnessed this afternoon’s performance, they all universally agreed that this evening’s performance was astonishingly even better than this afternoon’s. Job done then lads!
DITZ:
Cal Francis – vocals
Caleb Remnant – bass guitar, keys
Anton Mocock – guitars
Jack Looker – guitar, keys
Sam Evans – drums, Roland presets, keys
Ed Lamb – guest guitarist
DITZ setlist:
‘No Thanks, I’m Full’ (from 2022 ‘The Great Regression’ album)
‘Taxi Man’ (from 2025 ‘Never Exhale’ album)
‘Four’ (from 2025 ‘Never Exhale’ album)
‘God On A Speed Dial’ (from 2025 ‘Never Exhale’ album)
‘The Warden’ (from 2022 ‘The Great Regression’ album)
‘Ded Würst’ (from 2022 ‘The Great Regression’ album)
‘hehe’ (from 2022 ‘The Great Regression’ album)
‘Teeth’ (from 2022 ‘The Great Regression’ album)
‘Death Whistle’ (unreleased)
‘Britney’ (from 2025 ‘Never Exhale’ album)
‘I Am Kate Moss’ (from 2022 ‘The Great Regression’ album)
‘Tarzan’ (unreleased)
‘Riverstone’ (a 2023 single)
‘Space/Smile’ (from 2025 ‘Never Exhale’ album)
‘Senor Siniestro’ (from 2025 ‘Never Exhale’ album)
‘The Body As A Structure’ (from 2025 ‘Never Exhale’ album)
‘Two’ (from 2016 ‘EP1’ EP)
‘Summer Of The Shark’ (from 2023 ‘Live From The Louisiana, Bristol’ album)
‘Seeking Arrangement’ (a 2018 single)
‘F*ck The Pain Away’ (Peaches cover) (from 2020 ‘5 Songs’ EP)
Support this evening came from Studio 20 who comprise Amy (Squier Mini bass, vocals), Joe (drums and presets), Kate (Korg Opsix synth, bass, vocals) and Isaac (Zenta guitar, vocals). They all hail from Kent and have been friends for years, as they originally met at a House show in the local DIY music scene back in 2009. As far as I can recall this is my debut encounter with Studio 20, and tonight they are performing mainly some new material for us, including an as yet titled tune, so let’s see how their 7-song 25 minute set pans out.
They take to the stage at 8:13pm and luckily for them the first floor concert room is already almost at full capacity. They commence with ‘Money Goodbye’ which is an indie rockin’ number that features Isaac on lead vocals, and some vocoder style backing vocals from Kate, which certainly piques the punter’s attention. Tune two is brand new and as yet untitled and this features Amy on lead vocals, with Joe’s drums pounding out at us. It’s a jaunty tune. ‘Undertone’ is the next offering, which sees Isaac back on lead vocals and another vocal altering delivery from Kate. They’re a tight bunch, but I’m struggling to believe they came together back in 2009, as they barely look old enough to have been at a House show back then!
It’s all change for ‘Seatbelt’ which sees Kate take over bass guitar duties from Amy, which allows her to concentrate on the lead vocal role. Meanwhile, whilst they are handing over, Isaac is giving us some foot-pedal distortion in anticipation for the forthcoming next number, which catches everyone out due to its abrupt ending. After this, the bass guitar is returned to Amy and they deliver a quieter tune called ‘How’d It Go’, which to that point was the choice cut of the set for me. It has a true pop auto-tuned intense delivery from Kate which worked rather well. Just prior to performing this, Isaac informed the crowd that he was actually the drummer for DITZ for their first ever gig which was in Brighton at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar (RIP). It seems that they all had met when studying.
There’s Christmas style jingles at the beginning of ‘Penny Drop’, which is their penultimate offering. It’s a short tune which sees Isaac back on lead vocals. They sign off with ‘Destination’ which has a key intro and deep bass notes, before Isaac offering his most urgent vocal delivery of the set. It’s a faster tune than the others and for me was a case of saving the best for last. Overall, they were very well received by the crowd and at 8:38pm that was our lot.
Studio 20:
Amy – bass, vocals
Kate – synth, bass, vocals
Isaac – guitar, vocals
Joe – drums
Studio 20 setlist:
‘Money Goodbye’
“Untitled”
‘Undertone’
‘Seatbelt’
‘How’d It Go’
‘Penny Drop’
‘Destination’
www.instagram.com/studio20.archive
