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Hidden Herd Presents is Brighton’s new music discovery night, spotlighting the most exciting emerging artists, ones-to-watch and hidden gems. This time, come to The Hope & Ruin for Whitelands, Helen Ganya, Alphabet and Dirtsharks.Whitelands
London four-piece Whitelands are at the forefront of a new generation of Black British guitar music, alongside the likes of Big Joanie and Bob Vylan. Their shoegaze origins trace back to 2019, when frontman Etienne Quartey-Papafio stumbled across Slowdive’s KEXP session on YouTube. Over the following years, the project grew from a solo endeavour into the formidable force it has become today. After a handful of DIY releases, Whitelands signed with Sonic Cathedral in 2022 and soon came to the attention of BBC Radio 6 Music, Stereogum, DIY and others. Their debut album, ‘Night-bound Eyes Are Blind To The Day’, was released to widespread acclaim in early 2024, coinciding with a major UK tour supporting their heroes, Slowdive. Since then, the band have played numerous festivals and other high-profile shows alongside the likes of Sea Power and High Vis, while simultaneously working on their second album, ‘Sunlight Echoes’, due for release at the end of January 2026. Blending the personal with the political, and benefitting from the masterful mixing of Grammy Award–winner Eduardo De La Paz (New Order, The Horrors, The Charlatans), the album sees Whitelands emerge from the shoegaze shadows into something bigger, brighter and more expansive. With SXSW and an EU and UK tour planned around the release - including a headline show at London’s Moth Club - the band are poised to take things to the next level.
Listen: https://linktr.ee/whitelandsband
Helen Ganya
Brighton-based Scottish-Thai musician Helen Ganya - previously releasing music under the moniker Dog In The Snow - has demonstrated a proclivity for dark, artful rock and off-kilter sonics, earning praise from The Sunday Times, Uncut, Clash and Loud & Quiet. Her latest album, ‘Share Your Care’ - out now on Bella Union - marks the beginning of a new era, expanding upon her established sonic worlds while weaving in traditional Thai instrumentation to create a plush, luminous, psych-tinged record rich in emotional depth. She has previously supported artists including John Grant, Algiers, Bess Atwell and Bombino, and has appeared at festivals such as Ypsigrock, SXSW, The Great Escape and LUCFest. She has also toured as a session musician with post-punk band Fear of Men and alternative collective Lost Horizons, founded by Cocteau Twins member and Bella Union head Simon Raymonde. Beyond her musical practice, Helen holds an MSc in Climate Change and works with the climate and culture organisation Julie’s Bicycle. She sits on the music committee of Brian Eno’s climate charity EarthPercent and is a member of ESEA Music, which advocates for improved representation of artists and professionals of East and South-East Asian heritage in the UK. She also produces and presents a regular radio show on Brighton’s Slack City, Mixed Tapes, spotlighting the work of musicians of colour.
Listen: https://linktr.ee/helenganya
Alphabet
With roots tracing back to their time in Brighton - where they first crossed paths while playing in different projects - alphabet have emerged as one of London’s most exciting new alternative bands. Inspired by icons like The Cure, Slowdive and Sonic Youth, the four-piece deliver a fresh shoegaze-tinged sound defined by brooding and ethereal co-lead vocals and guitars that are both melodic and abrasive. Since their inception, alphabet have shared stages with the likes of Swim Deep, Egyptian Blue, M(h)aol, Blood Wizard, Picture Parlour, Humour and Sunken, and have been championed by post-punk powerhouses Fontaines D.C. and Shame. They’ve also appeared at Dork’s Night Out, Rough Trade Recommends in Bristol and DIY Magazine’s Hello 2026, as well as festivals including Outer Town, the Main Stage at Truck Festival, Green Man and Brighton Psych Fest. Across five stellar singles, the band have earned support from Dork and So Young Magazine, and been featured on Spotify’s Hot New Bands editorial playlist.
Listen: https://linktr.ee/alphabet_alphabetalphabet
Dirtsharks
Dirtsharks are a Brighton-based four-piece whose journey began in Cornwall with brothers Aidan and Brendan Moran. Since their breakout set at Boardmasters in 2021, the band have built a reputation as one of Brighton’s most exciting live acts, earning support from BBC Music Introducing and sharing stages with Wunderhorse, Harvey Jay Dodgson and more. They have also appeared at The Great Escape, The Beach House Sessions, 234 Fest, Dome Studio Live and School Night London at The Grace. Their 2024 EP ‘Stay Lucent’ marked their arrival as a fully formed unit, showcasing meticulous songwriting alongside striking visuals. On stage, Dirtsharks deliver a visceral live experience, blending raw intensity with inventiveness - including the addition of violin to their sets. As BBC Music Introducing’s Melita Dennett observed: “Dirtsharks are a band that, when you see them live, it really clicks.”
Listen: https://beacons.ai/dirtsharks
Advance tickets are £11 and are on sale now via DICE: https://linktr.ee/hiddenherd
This is an 18+ event.
You can also discover exciting emerging artists on the Hidden Herd New Music Spotlight playlist. Like and listen on Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6XzRoD9yqCn2OrIpcjSikf
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Event Venue
The Hope & Ruin, 11-12 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3, United Kingdom
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
