OPAL MAG + UGLY OZO – ALPHABET, BRIGHTON 27.11.25
Brighton’s own Opal Mag took centre stage as headliners at Alphabet on Thursday, bringing their hazy blend of dream pop shimmer and shoegaze grit to a hometown crowd. Joining them on the bill were Isle of Wight’s Ugly Ozo, whose fierce “doom gaze” promised a powerful contrast.
Opal Mag returned with a set that confirmed their growing reputation as one of Brighton’s most exciting upcoming acts. Blending dream‑pop haze with fuzzy slacker rock and shoegaze textures, the band delivered a performance that was both expansive and intimate, carried by confessional lyrics and soaring vocals. With a more settled line‑up, each member shone individually while collectively locking into a chemistry that felt stronger than ever.
From the opening number, ‘Glow’, the intent was clear. Confident and punchier than previous outings, it set the tone with Americana‑tinged dual vocals from Opal and Annie Frazer. Those vocals were a feature that would recur throughout the night to great effect. ‘Looking For’ followed with nostalgic harmonies and a sweet indie shimmer, before ‘Don’t Change’ brought power‑pop balladry and a touch of melodrama. ‘Kitchen Song’ provided one of several standout moments. Introduced as a track about dancing around bedrooms and kitchens, its softness drew the audience in, anchored by Martin Eddington’s superb bass line.
The mid‑set section showcased the band’s willingness to surprise. ‘Try Not to Hate Everything’ began dreamily before Opal’s vocals rose with force, delivering lines like “shut the hell up” with conviction but never aggression. The experimental ‘I Don’t Like You, But I Love You’ pushed into alt‑rock territory, Connor McCorkindale’s drumming and Annie’s keys adding intrigue.
Then came the night’s most unexpected turn, when Opal announced “We’re going to chill out a bit” before ‘Goodbye Lavender’. With James Bowden on acoustic guitar and Annie’s piano‑like keys, the band shifted into a folk‑inflected mood with Opal adding Kate Bush‑style vocal gymnastics. This change of direction stunned even long‑time fans, being a genuine “wow” moment that revealed a previously unseen side of the band. This continued with ‘Young Forever’, its alt‑country feel enriched by mellow dual vocals.
‘World End’ pulsed with an ’80s pop vibe thanks to Annie’s keyboards and James’s rockier guitar edge. Later, ‘Parking Fines’ had the crowd dancing despite a false start, while ‘Wasting’, released earlier this month, enveloped listeners in its dreamy textures.
As the set built towards its finale, Opal asked the crowd if they’d had fun; the resounding “yes” said it all. The closing ‘Love To See You Shine’ was anthemic indie rock at its best, lifted further by Opal’s improvised opera‑style vocals that raised smiles both within the band and in the crowd. The encore, ‘Feel It All’, was delivered without the usual walk‑off theatrics, ending the night with huge cheers and Opal’s wry declaration: “It’s seriously over now.”
This was, by some distance, Opal Mag’s finest performance I’ve seen to date. The expanded set list allowed them to explore new moods and textures, surprising and delighting the crowd in equal measure. The slower, more mellow section mid‑set revealed a versatility that elevates them beyond genre boundaries, while the band’s cohesion ensured every member had their moment to shine. Alphabet witnessed a group hitting their stride being confident, inventive, and ready to take the next step.
Opal Mag:
Opal Mag – vocals, guitar
Annie Frazer – keyboards, backing vocals
Martin Eddington – bass
James Bowden – guitar, backing vocals
Connor McCorkindale – drums
Opal Mag setlist:
‘Glow’ (unreleased)
‘Looking For’ (a 2024 single release)
‘Don’t Change’ (unreleased)
‘Kitchen Song’ (a 2025 single release)
‘Try Not To Hate’ (unreleased)
‘I Don’t Like You, But I Love You’ (a 2025 single release)
‘Goodbye Lavender’ (unreleased)
‘Young Forever’ (unreleased)
‘World End’ (unreleased)
‘Parking Fines’ (unreleased)
‘Wasting’ (a 2025 single release)
‘Kiss Me’ (unreleased)
‘Feel It All’ (unreleased)
‘Love To See You Shine’ (a 2024 single release)
(encore)
‘Feel it All’ (unreleased)
Ugly Ozo brought their fierce brand of “doom gaze” to Brighton, delivering an opening set that was equal parts intense and fun. Fronted by Isle of Wight sisters Jess and Boo Baker, with a drummer completing the trio, the band fused grunge‑tinged riffs with shoegaze atmospherics to create a sound that felt both raw and enveloping. Themes of feminine rage and revenge ran through the performance, but the energy on stage was confident, exciting, and infectious.
Opening with ‘Petunia’, Jess’s melting vocals gave way to a rockier instrumental break, immediately setting the tone. ‘Ooh La La’, from their 2025 ‘Stargirl’ EP, pushed harder into alt‑rock territory, Jess’s shouted vocals cutting through the haze.
The dynamic between the sisters was at its most striking during ‘Madonna’, written by Jess for Boo. With Boo’s bass underpinning the track, the two fed off each other’s energy, their contrasting stage personas, Jess chatty and animated, Boo quieter, but equally intense and energetic, which created a compelling balance across the whole set.
There was an announcement of a festive surprise dropping at midnight, which turned out to be a cover of ‘Santa Baby’.
‘Scared’ brought heavier drums and bass, with its loud‑quiet dynamics. ‘Remains’, their debut single, seethed with gothic anger. Not surprising as it was introduced as about getting reprisal on a guy for messing her about. ‘Sink Or Swim’, a fast song with an explosive close, was another track from the ‘Stargirl’ EP out a month ago and was in Jess’s words marking its “monthiversary”.
The finale, ‘Onto A Winner’, showcased Boo’s strong bass line and Jess’s playful choreography, inviting the audience to dance along, or laugh at her dance moves. By the end, the room was buzzing, proof that Ugly Ozo’s blend of intensity and fun struck a chord with the crowd. A thoroughly enjoyable opening set from a band clearly on the rise, and one that Brighton will be eager to see again.
Ugly Ozo:
Jess – lead guitar. vocals
Boo – bass
Tristan – drums
Ugly Ozo setlist:
‘Petunia’ (unreleased)
‘Ooh La La’ (from 2025 ‘Stargirl’ EP)
‘Madonna’ (from 2025 ‘Stargirl’ EP)
‘Scared’ (unreleased)
‘Remains’ (a 2024 single release)
‘Sink Or Swim’ (from 2025 ‘Stargirl’ EP)
‘Onto A Winner’ (from 2025 ‘Stargirl’ EP)
In Conclusion:
From Isle of Wight’s doom gaze storm to Brighton’s dream pop shimmer, Ugly Ozo and Opal Mag produced an electrifying night of live music at Alphabet.
