808 STATE + ASHNYMPH – CONCORDE 2, BRIGHTON 5.9.25
Brighton’s iconic Concorde 2 venue was alive with anticipation as 808 State took the stage for a special live one-off performance celebrating the venue’s 25th anniversary, courtesy of JOY. promoters. The Manchester acid house pioneers now exclusively fronted by Graham Massey following the sad passing of long-term collaborator Andy Barker in 2021, delivered a masterclass in electronic innovation, blending their seminal ’90s catalogue with contemporary flair. In a house of ravers young and old from across the spectrum, the night unfolded as a pulsating journey through beats that have defined generations, proving why 808 State remain legends in the techno realm. As soon as Massey and his DJ companion (who was shrouded in backlit gloom) lined up behind all manner of technical equipment including Roland keyboards, Novation synths and a full mixing desk, we knew we were in for a great night.
The set kicked off with the explosive ‘In Yer Face’, its relentless basslines and synth stabs immediately igniting the crowd. From the first drop, the energy was palpable, with fans dancing away under the venue’s impressive new lighting system. The live drummer, positioned center-left–stage and surrounded by a towering stack of cymbals that gleamed under the lights, added a raw, organic punch to the electronic foundation. His intricate rhythms cut through the mix like thunder, elevating the performance beyond mere playback to something visceral and immediate.
As the night progressed, the spectacular laser light show emanating from the stage became a star in its own right. Beams of vibrant light sliced through the haze, syncing perfectly with the music’s ebbs and flows, creating an immersive visual spectacle that evoked the rave heydays of the late ’80s. Tracks like ‘Sunrise’ followed, its ethereal melodies washing over the audience in waves of euphoria, building to crescendos that had everyone lost in the moment.
A highlight came with ‘Pacific State’, where Graham Massey picked up his live soprano saxophone, weaving haunting, improvisational lines over the track’s iconic bird calls and rolling bass. The fusion of acoustic and electronic elements was mesmerizing, a nod to the band’s experimental roots that felt fresh even decades later – the crowd erupting in cheers, hands raised as if in collective trance. Later, ‘Quincy’s Lunch’ featuring Massey on guitar segued seamlessly into the rave anthem ‘Cubik’ the ultimate crowd pleaser and a masterful transition that showcased 808 State’s knack for fluid set construction. The pulsating grooves locked in, driving the energy higher, with the drummer’s cymbal crashes punctuating the shift like exclamation points.
Throughout, the band’s chemistry was evident—Massey at the helm with synthesizers, his companion handling beats and equipment tweaks, the drummer not missing a beat and the ensemble locking into grooves that felt both nostalgic and forward-thinking. The laser show intensified during these peaks, casting geometric patterns across the venue, amplifying the hypnotic vibe.
As the set wound down after an hour-plus of non-stop intensity, Massey addressed the sweat-soaked crowd with a simple, heartfelt “thanks for coming”. It was a humble close to an unforgettable night, leaving attendees buzzing long after the house lights came up.
In an era of polished electronic dance music, 808 State’s raw, innovative spirit shone brightly at the Concorde 2. This wasn’t just a gig; it was a reminder of techno’s roots and its enduring power to unite. If you missed it, you need to catch them next time—these pioneers show no signs of slowing down.
808 State:
Graham Massey – keyboards, programming, acoustic guitar, guitar, soprano saxophone
? – drums
? – keyboards, electronics
808 State setlist:
‘In Yer Face’ (from 1991 ‘ex:el’ album)
‘Trinity’ (from 2019 ‘Transmission Suite’ album)
‘Donkey Doctor’ (from 1980 ‘90’ album)
‘Pacific State’ (from 1989 ‘Quadrastate’ album)
‘San Francisco’ (from 1991 ‘ex:el’ album)
‘Ujala’ (from 2019 ‘Transmission Suite’ album)
‘Cobra Bora’ (from 1980 ‘90’ album)
‘Sunrise’ (from 1980 ‘90’ album)
‘Plan 9’ (from 1993 ‘Gorgeous’ album)
‘Quicy’s Lunch’ (from 1999 808 State / Jega split single)
‘Cubik’ (from 1991 ‘ex:el’ album)
(encore)
‘Bataglia’ (from 2019 ‘Initial Granada Report’ EP)
Support this evening came from Ashnymph, an emerging electronic trio comprising Will (guitar, electronics), Jonny (drums) and Brighton based Lucy (vocals) who perfectly primed the crowd for 808 State’s headline slot. Blending ethereal synth waves, and crunchy experimental textures with gritty bass drops, their sound evoked a futuristic dreamscape, drawing influences from ambient techno and IDM with Lucy’s haunting vocals cutting across a number of their tracks.
As a relatively new band, Ashnymph showed impressive poise, their live manipulations adding a raw edge. The audience warmed quickly and they proved to be a solid support act that complemented the acid house legends superbly. Check out their ‘Saltspreader’ debut single HERE.
Ashnymph:
Will Wiffen – guitars, synths, bass, vocals
Jonny Pyke – drums
Lucy Ciera – vocals
Thank you for the well-written review!
In answer to the question marks:
Carl Sharrocks – drums
Jackson Massey – keyboards, electronics