Brighton is playing host to a citywide programme of live music this week as WaterBear – The College of Music marks the start of the academic year with its biggest Freshers Week to date. The four-day schedule includes student showcases, headline gigs and the official launch of the college’s newly expanded Hanover House campus with Skindred’s performance at Concorde 2 on Weds 17th Sept the centerpiece of the week’s events.
While centred on student life, the programme is also being seen as a boost for the city’s cultural sector, connecting emerging artists with local venues, audiences and creative networks. With rising student numbers and events taking place across multiple sites, the initiative highlights Brighton’s continued role as a leading hub for grassroots music and independent talent.
The week opened last night with a packed-out performance from Charlotte Plank at the WaterBear Venue, joined by genre-melding support acts Kabbit and Lyon. The show marked the first of a four-night run designed to welcome the college’s largest Brighton intake to date.
Tonight (Tuesday 16 September), WaterBear Presents brings Finnian James to the WaterBear Music Bar, with support from Matt Hennessy, Mookie and Bleeding Daphne. Tomorrow sees the week’s headline event, as MOBO Award winners Skindred take over Concorde 2 for a full-throttle live show, with support from isthisok and Pussy Liquor. The event is open to the public, with free entry for WaterBear students.
On Thursday 18 September, Skindred frontman Benji Webbe will join students at the WaterBear Music Bar for an exclusive Q and A session covering everything from performance mindset to staying resilient in the industry. Also on Thursday, QueerBear returns to the WaterBear Venue with a genre-spanning showcase of LGBTQ+ artists and allies, featuring Clementine, NIAMHXO and Tell Me Again.
Freshers Week coincides with the public launch of the new-look Hanover House campus. Spread across three newly developed floors, the building now includes state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance spaces, instrument-specific suites, a 1000 square foot live room and a professional-level production studio. The expansion strengthens WaterBear’s mission to provide hands-on, real-world music education rooted in artist development and creative community.
The WaterBear Music Bar, which opened earlier this year, continues to host regular live shows and student-led events, blending social space with grassroots opportunity. With a ground floor bar and lounge plus a dedicated basement live room, the venue supports everything from rehearsals and showcases to workshops and masterclasses.
WaterBear offers BA and MA music degrees in partnership with Falmouth University, delivered on site in Brighton and Sheffield or via a flexible online model. Once freshers week has passed and the academic year in full swing, attention will shift to the Keep Music Live campaign, a series of events in grassroots music venues across the UK culminating with a finale in Brighton on November 1st.
For more information, visit www.waterbear.org.uk
