Your Brighton Weekend, 8-10 May — From Beethoven at the Dome to Sampa the Great in Concert
If you live in Brighton & Hove, this is not a quiet weekend. Brighton Festival is in full flow, The Great Escape has descended on every venue from the seafront to North Laine, and Brighton Fringe is layering its own programme on top. Here’s what’s actually worth your time across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Friday 8 May
Beethoven at the Brighton Dome. International star pianist Denis Kozhukhin performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with the London Symphony Orchestra under chief conductor Sir Antonio Pappano. Concert Hall, Friday evening. One of the marquee classical events of the entire Festival — and a rare chance to catch Pappano in Brighton.
Joelle Taylor at Brighton Dome Studio Theatre. The T. S. Eliot Prize-winning poet performs from her new collection Maryville. Bold, uncompromising, and exactly the kind of literature event that Brighton audiences turn out for. Tickets from £10. Also performing Saturday.
Fevered Sleep — Time Keeps the Drummer. The Corn Exchange becomes the home of one of Brighton Festival’s most-anticipated theatre installations. Friday through Sunday, various entry times. Tickets from £8.
The Great Escape kicks off in earnest. Around 30 walkable venues across the city are now hosting emerging artists from across the world. If you’ve got a wristband, your weekend is sorted. If not, dozens of pop-up gigs are free or pay-what-you-can.
Saturday 9 May
Sampa the Great × W.I.T.C.H. at Brighton Dome. Possibly the single most-talked-about gig of the Festival weekend. Sampa the Great joins forces with Zamrock pioneers W.I.T.C.H. for a genre-blending set of psychedelic rock, hip-hop and soul — celebrating the new resurgence of Zamrock, the music born from Zambian independence in the 1970s. Tickets from £25. If you only do one paid event this weekend, this is it.
Joelle Taylor — second night. If you missed her on Friday, Saturday is your other chance.
Brighton Fringe in full bloom. Hammer & Tongue’s open-air poetry slam grand final, Whispers’ Victorian theatrical production, and dozens of smaller shows running across The Old Market, Komedia, and venues across Kemptown. Worth scanning the Fringe app rather than committing in advance — half the joy is wandering.
Algorithm-free dining tip. The Saturday Open Market on Marshalls Row remains the city’s best cure for festival overload. Coffee, a focaccia, a slow walk back through the Lanes.
Sunday 10 May
Tom Gates at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall. Liz Pichon performs from her wildly successful children’s book series for Brighton’s young readers. Tickets £10. If you’ve got primary-age kids, this is the one.
Miranda Richardson with Sophie Bevan & Christopher Glynn. The Golden Globe winner joins soprano Sophie Bevan and Grammy-winning pianist Christopher Glynn for an afternoon Classical Music event at the Dome. From £15.50.
The Great Escape closes out. Last day of the festival — most venues will run free or low-cost showcases for anyone walking in. If you’ve ever wanted to see twenty bands you’ve never heard of in a single afternoon, today’s the day.
Beyond the Festival
If the festival circuit isn’t your thing, the city itself is in full bloom. The Royal Pavilion gardens are at their best in early May. The Saturday market on Upper Gardner Street is reliable. The seafront walk from the Marina to Hove Lawns will outperform most of the indoor programmes if the weather behaves.
A genuinely strong weekend. Brighton at its most Brighton.
