Hidden Herd Presents is Brighton’s new music discovery night, spotlighting the most exciting emerging artists, ones-to-watch and hidden gems.
The lineup for the Thursday 26th February 2026 bash at The Hope & Ruin has been announced and will feature The Youth Play, The Slow Country, HIGHDRIVE and Batmilk.
Let’s meet the acts……
Described by CLASH as “blending the urgency of Fontaines D.C. with the melodic effervescence of Wet Leg”, The Youth Play are one of London’s most exciting emerging bands. Led by frontman Diego Bracho, a Latin American migrant raised in Mexico City, they serve as yet another reminder that great music transcends borders. Drawing from shoegaze pioneers like Slowdive, The Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine, alongside influences such as The National and Interpol, the band’s debut EP ‘Someday, Forever’ is a standout introduction. Across six songs, it explores finding joy amid desperation – touching on migration, the climate crisis and political injustice. Making their mark on the road, the band are fresh from Left of the Dial and a UK tour with The Wytches, having already previously toured Europe with Been Stellar. Their music has earned support from BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio 1 and members of Primal Scream, Jimmy Eat World, Cage The Elephant and Skunk Anansie. With a big 2026 ahead, The Youth Play are proving that British music is at its best when it’s fearless, and when it dares to be a force for change.
The Slow Country are a seven-piece London-via-Manchester collective who flit effortlessly between lovelorn balladry and pulsating foot-stompers. Sitting somewhere between alt-rock and alt-folk, the band weave together intertwining guitars, mandolins, violins and duelling vocals to craft a jagged landscape of heartache and bliss. On the strength of three stunning singles – ‘Walking Song’, ‘Right There Inside’, and ‘Amy Stew’ – the band have earned acclaim from BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Music Introducing and So Young Magazine, and recently recorded a Radio X live session for John Kennedy’s X-Posure. This year, they’ve appeared at festivals including Wilderness, Truck and The Great Escape, and have previously toured with The Last Dinner Party and Floodlights. They’ve also shared stages with a roll call of rising favourites such as Opus Kink, Mandrake Handshake, Pynch, Bishopskin, Ugly Ozo, Jeanie and The White Boys, The Motor Show and GIFTHORSE.
HIGHDRIVE are a Brighton-based grungegaze band. Drawing inspiration from bands like Deftones, The Jesus and Mary Chain, DIIV and Linkin Park, the five-piece create a powerful, immersive atmosphere defined by haunting, spacious vocals layered over fuzzy guitar tones, driving basslines and tight yet explosive drums. Despite their newcomer status, HIGHDRIVE have already built an enviable live CV – sharing stages with Coach Party, Do Nothing and Welly, as well as other exciting emerging artists such as The Pill, Night Swimming, Ugly Ozo and Bathing Suits. HIGHDRIVE have also made their festival debuts at Wanderlust Festival and Heartbroken Festival, and performed at a So Young Magazine-curated night alongside TTSSFU.
Batmilk are a brand-new Brighton-based quartet conjuring a spooky blend of slowcore, psych, post-rock and alt-folk. The band – Ania, Ecca, Freya and Benji – feature a member of Glasshouse Red Spider Mite, and are already turning heads with their nocturnal melodies, celestial mandolin and dreamy intensity. Despite their newcomer status, Batmilk have already shared stages with Hutch and Ideal Living, and performed at Flip Top Head’s Rolling Sixes night and The Hope & Ruin’s Ones To Watch showcase – marking them as a Brighton band ready to fly from their roost and capture wider attention.
Tickets are on sale now from HERE.
