Brighton Festival drew to a close with an explosion of sound and colour at its official closing party, a testament to the festival’s commitment to innovation and cultural diversity. Co-curated by the visionary Anoushka Shankar and the ever-eclectic Nerm of Shiva Soundsystem, the night transformed the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange into a pulsating hub of global underground music.
From the moment we stepped inside, we were swept away by a vibrant, multicultural crowd, all moving to the infectious rhythms spun by a stellar lineup. I think I arrived in the middle of the first DJ set, and then I continued until I could not take any more. However, what I experienced was the catharsis of expelling tiredness from the body and entering a trance-like state, trusting in the dimension that was offered, with its blend of images and sounds that alluded to different world views.
The air crackled with a shared sense of joy and freedom, as if everyone present was united in celebrating the culmination of a month-long artistic journey.
The music itself was a revelation. Mantra x Manara’s back-to-back set was a masterclass in jungle rhythms and bass-heavy precision, while OX7GEN’s Boiler Room energy kept the dance floor blazing. Perera Elsewhere’s hypnotic soundscapes transported the crowd to another dimension, and Aminabonthebeat’s genre-bending mix of Acid-Arab, Desi beats, Amapiano, Techno, and Tezeta kept everyone on their toes.
But the closing party was more than just music. Stunning projection mapping by Indo-Italian artists, who have previously worked with giants like Wu-Tang Clan and The Chemical Brothers, transformed the Corn Exchange into a kaleidoscope of light and color. A hint of feminine energy flooded the images, which were full of allusions to goddesses and my own interpretations of Mother Earth. It was a moving and uplifting mix of the infinite dimensions of imagination that you were willing to explore.
And the theatrical performance duet between Kathak dancer Vidya Patel and drag-star Bolly-Illusion added a unique and unforgettable layer to the night.
For me, it was a perfect ending to a month filled with diverse shows, a night where music, culture, and pure joy collided in spectacular style.
I would like to add that the style of this year’s festival was a profoundly rich range of diverse and gendered works, which are fundamental in times of war such as the ones we are experiencing. This is activism in itself. Thank you.
Let’s give a round of applause to the entire festival team, including the artists on and off stage. It is important to recognise that none of this would be possible without some of these people. It was a “New Dawn” indeed, leaving me already eager for what Brighton Festival will bring next year.
Website: Brighton Festival
