May Live

May is here which means one thing for arts and live entertainment in the city this month - it's Brighton Festival time. From the 5th - 27th our city plays host to a wide range of events in the Festival, not forgetting the all the hundreds of extra events taking place in the Festival Fringe. And then there's the 2nd Great Escape festival in the middle of the month and all the usual gigs and comedy... it's going to be a hectic month! Here's some highlights to look out for:

05/05 - This year's Brighton Festival kicks off with an inticing show mixing film and music; Run Lola Run screens at the Dome with a live improvised soundtrack by The Bays. A second performance on the 6th has now been added due to popular demand.

08/05 - The wonderfully funny Daniel Kitson is performing his Edinburgh Festival story show C-90 at The Basement until 20th May.

09/05 - The new Oasis or just another bunch of overrated arseholes? You decide. The Twang play at the Concorde tonight.

10/05 - After a couple of years in exile in France, Brighton's (ex-) finest The loveGods return to their former adopted home for a date at the Komedia. Deah and Art have a new line up and hopefully a slew of new songs too.

11/05 - One of the more intriguing site-specific theatre pieces of the Festival, The Maids begins its run (until 26th May) at the Old Ship Hotel.

13/05 - Still fondly remembered from their time as members of The Mary Whitehouse Experience, comedy duo Punt & Dennis bring their latest stand up show to the Komedia. Everyone says they do some great work on the radio these days.

16/05 - Vic Reeves is at the Theatre Royal as part of the Festival's literature & debate section - he'll be talking about his autobiography Me: Moir and taking questions from the audience.

17/05 - The Great Escape festival begins its 3 day residence in Brighton with gigs taking place at all the major venues in the city, entry via wristband subject to capacity. Nouvelle Vague headline at the Corn Exchange whilst CSS return to the Concorde after their triumphant show there in February. There's also talk that Transmission with T-Mobile will be filming at the Udderbelly with performances from Gossip, Bat For Lashes and Cold War Kids. What do I choose to see?

18/05 - More Great Escape gigs including The Rakes headlining at the Concorde and Air Traffic appearing at Audio. Meanwhile in the Fringe, Ralph Brown leads the Brighton Beach Boys through the first of two nights of Pet Sounds vs. Sgt. Pepper at St George's Church.

19/05 - The Great Escape festival comes to a close with the final night of shows including The Magic Numbers at the Brighton Centre East Wing, British Sea Power at the Udderbelly, Kate Nash at the Pressure Point and I Say Marvin at The Hope.

21/05 - The first of two singer/songwriter shows at the Komedia, Tina Dico returns after her excellent show there last Autumn. Over at the Udderbelly tent they welcome the "41st best stnd up ever" Stewart Lee for two nights of comedy.

22/05 - More female singer/songwriter action at the Komedia with Scout Niblett playing after her recent Brighton show supporting Bonnie Prince Billy. Catherine Ann Davies supports thanks to my recommendation, but I have split loyalites as my new favourite Brighton band The Mummers are also playing over at the Joogleberry. Maybe I can fit both in somehow?

23/05 - Another Festival show, this time a talk from the legendary British actor Leslie Phillips at the Corn Exchange. Rather annoyed this clashes with the Champions League final!

29/05 - Are they really splitting up next year? Nooooooooo... Well, until that's confirmed Girls Aloud are still alive and well and touring their Greatest Hits album with a date at the Brighton Centre. They were fab at the Radio One event at the Dome last year!

30/05 - The NME New Music Tour rolls into the Concorde with four bright new bands to take your fancy; The Rumble Strips and Pull Tiger Tail head the bill but I rather prefer the sounds of The Little Ones and Blood Red Shoes. Meanwhile back at the Brighton Centre the Pet Shop Boys are in action.