Hidden Herd have announced the first 2026 installment of their popular new music discovery night in Brighton, which will be spotlighting the most exciting emerging artists, ones-to-watch and hidden gems.
This time you can whizz along to The Hope & Ruin on Thursday 29th January 2026 in order to catch a quartet of quality acts, these being Tummyache, Human Interest, Not Richard & Her Majesty and Ism.
Let’s find out more….
Tummyache is a project that blurs the line between band and personal confession – an unflinchingly raw and enigmatic outlet for songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Soren Bryce. Since its inception in 2018, the band has evolved into a collaborative force, carving out a space within the DIY scenes of both the US and the UK. After gaining attention with the Speedy Wunderground single ‘Circling The Drain’ and subsequent second album ‘Egosystem’, Tummyache recently returned with their third record, ‘Fake New’ – an exploration of the psychological and social impact of technology, and how we might begin to dismantle it. Known for their extensive touring, Tummyache have performed all over Germany and the US with La Dispute, and across the UK with Bambara. They’ve also shared stages with She Drew The Gun, Coach Party, Mary in the Junkyard, Cruush, Sulk, and Kissing On Camera, alongside Brighton favourites City Dog and Jar of Blind Flies. Festival appearances include Live at Leeds, Left of the Dial in Rotterdam, Ritual Union, and most recently they appeared at Green Door Store’s 234 Fest.
Hailed by The Sunday Times as an “an intriguing musical concoction that doffs its cap to grunge, The Kinks, Iggy Pop and T. Rex”, East London outfit Human Interest are fast-forging a reputation as one of the most exciting emerging bands in the UK. Led by Cat Harrison and Tyler Damara Kelly, the four-piece have released three thrilling EPs – two via the revered indie label Nice Swan Records (English Teacher, Sprints, Sports Team, Pip Blom). Their ascent has been championed by DIY, Dork, Clash and The Line of Best Fit, while Radio X playlisted their music and BBC Radio 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq featured them as his New Music Fix Artist Spotlight. Live, Human Interest match intensity with charisma, earning support slots for Self Esteem, Hinds, Tribes, Lambrini Girls, Vlure, jasmine.4.t, Gently Tender and HighSchool. They’ve also been turning heads across the festival circuit with appearances at Mutations, Wild Paths, Float Along, Night Currents, Left of the Dial in Rotterdam and more.
Step into the colourful and enigmatic world of Not Richard & Her Majesty, an exciting new five-piece based in Brighton. Led by Rich Fownes – formerly of The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, UNKLE and The Duke Spirit – the new project is a diary of personal, professional, sexual, financial and gender ruin set to a nostalgic voyage of psychedelic, glam-laced art-rock. Produced by Jamie Hall (Tigercub, Nancy) and Ben Hillier (Blur, Depeche Mode, Nadine Shah), the debut EP ‘Not Hot’ is an accomplished and exhilarating introduction. Its swaggering lead single ‘Everything Explodes’, a stomping nod to T. Rex, has already caught the ear of Elbow’s Guy Garvey, earning airplay on his BBC Radio 6 Music show. The band have made an immediate impression live too, making their live debut with a sold-out headline show at The Hope & Ruin, and sharing stages with emerging favourites such as Slag, Magda and Swallowtail.
Based in Brighton, ism are a melodic alternative art-rock trio who bring raw emotional energy and distinctly theatrical delivery. Renowned for their captivating and unpredictable live shows, they’ve lit up stages at Concorde 2, The Old Market and The Folklore Rooms for SideQuest Fest, and have also played Bella Union Vinyl Shop’s Sandwich Sessions. Along the way, they’ve shared stages with some of the UK’s most exciting emerging artists, including Cordelia Gartside, Slag, COWZ, Swallowtail and GIFTHORSE. Their releases – the riotous ‘Notorious Plants’ and the bittersweet ‘My Life Left Me For Another Woman’ – capture their signature blend of melody, melancholy and artful experimentation, balancing emotional weight with a bold instinct for performance.
Advance tickets are £11 and are on sale now from HERE.
You can also discover exciting emerging artists on the Hidden Herd New Music Spotlight playlist. Like and listen on Spotify HERE.
