The Brighton Festival runs from Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 26. WeLoveBrighton’s Sharanya Chakraborty attended the launch.
Even though I am still discovering new things about Brighton, I must admit that I had already heard about Brighton Festival and only good things about it. Hence, when the opportunity arose to get a preview to this year’s Brighton Festival lineup, I was definitely ready to indulge myself.
Speaking of discovering new things, due to this opportunity, this was the first time I got to enter the Brighton Dome, an exquisitely built theatre with a brilliant cafe/bar setting in the front. It sits comfortably within the Pavilion and as you might have guessed, is one of the coveted venues for Brighton Festival. Other venues include the Attenborough Centre for Creative Arts, South East Dance: The Dance Space, Theatre Royal Brighton and Phoenix Art Space to name a few.
This year, Brighton Festival has partnered with some local favourites such as Permit Room, who offered us a warm cup of chai and bun maska upon entering. As I sipped on my chai, I got to flip through this year’s wonderfully composed brochure, whose covers were designed by Howareyoufeeling.studio, led by the talented Doyle Joshi and Neil Balser. The beautiful variations of the cover were inspired by a collective and diverse interpretation of New Dawn, this year’s theme.
While talking about the theme, we have to talk about the highlight of Brighton Festival 2025 – guest director, Anoushka Shankar. A brief yet insufficient introduction to this global musical maestro would be that she is not only the daughter of renowned Indian Classical musician, Ravi Shankar but also a Grammy-nominated sitarist and music artist who I am personally very biased towards, having grown up listening to her.
As mentioned by Chief Executive Lucy Davies, this year the Festival has collaborated extensively with Anoushka to bring in artists and acts of global renown to Brighton. Some of the ones which Anouska seems to have listed on her must-watch list are the theatre production, ‘Wembley’ by Nikesh Shukla, Mythili Prakash’s Indian Classical dance production called ‘Jwala’ (or ‘fire’), ‘The Gummy Bears’ Great War’ which is an Italian theatrical piece as well as some late night events which she cherishes as those light-hearted moments for everyone to come together and connect.
Lucy Davies, the new Chief Executive of the Festival, who was in conversation with Anoushka, added the various outdoor activities to this list of recommendations as something she is personally looking forward to being a part of.
“For Brighton Festival 2025, we look towards a New Dawn. Together with the Brighton Festival team, I’ve been shaping a programme that envisions a hopeful future – an emergence from the dark of night into the glow of early morning. For years now there have been many reasons to worry, to lose hope. But we have the power within us to create an alternate future. That’s what Brighton Festival 2025 is about – let’s come together to reflect, lift each other up and take action. This is a festival for everyone to participate in, to connect with, to feel part of. I can’t wait.”
Anoushka Shankar
Having spoken about the festival itself, it is important to take forward the message that Anoushka, Lucy and everyone working on Brighton Festival 2025 seem to be striving towards – a New Dawn. As Anoushka eloquently explained, what she has noticed in this multi-arts lineup has been the common theme “what do we as community do something to be part of the light”.
Specifically in the context of Brighton where I have personally experienced a warm welcome to diversity, Anoushka said these acts are examples of existence that simply by being present act as sources of resistance and inclusivity. After hearing these precious words from a maestro I have admired over the years, I am personally looking forward to indulging in these incredible works of art, including Anoushka’s concerts as well, and for everyone interested, bookings are open so grab yourself a ticket to cultural extravagance while you still can!
Sharanya’s top pick
What: Arooj Aftab
Where: Brighton Dome Concert Hall
When: Wednesday, May 7
Why: “I am a huge admirer of her work, especially all the dance performances because that is something I practise myself. Also, as a bonus, all of Anoushka Shankar’s shows of course because they are gonna be one of a kind, I am sure.”
Find out more about this year’s Brighton Festival and buy tickets https://brightonfestival.org/
