SUEDE + BLOODWORM – BRIGHTON CENTRE 21.2.26
Back on 22nd August 2025, Suede announced a UK tour for 2026 that will see the band take their highly-anticipated tenth studio album, ‘Antidepressants’ on the road for the first time. The extensive UK tour was kicking off on 30th January in Folkestone, then moving on to Portsmouth, Bristol, Guildford, Edinburgh, Liverpool, York, Lincoln, Norwich, Cambridge, Sheffield, Newcastle, Coventry, Bath, Nottingham, Southend and then closing on 21st February here at the Brighton Centre.
Suede’s ‘Antidepressants’ album was launched in several formats including CD (standard and deluxe), vinyl (standard and colour variants), picture disc LP, cassette and as a deluxe box set. Not surprisingly and deservedly it reached No.2 in the UK Album Chart, thus matching the chart position of its predecessor ‘Autofiction’ back in 2022, their highest-charting record in over 20 years.
Introducing Suede’s tenth album, Brett Anderson said: “If ‘Autofiction’ was our punk record,’ Antidepressants’ is our post-punk record. It’s about the tensions of modern life, the paranoia, the anxiety, the neurosis. We are all striving for connection in a disconnected world. This was the feel I wanted the songs to have. The album is called ‘Antidepressants’. This is broken music for broken people.”
With the scene set, Brett Anderson, Mat Osman, Simon Gilbert, Richard Oakes and Neil Codling were prepping themselves backstage, whilst the soundsystem blasted out a solid array of top quality tunes, aimed at getting punters in the mood. These included ‘E. Musik’ (NEU!), ‘Sheena Is A Punk Rocker’ (Ramones), ‘Hong Kong Garden’ (Siouxsie & The Banshees), and ‘Pablo Picasso’ (The Modern Lovers). The Suede logo was emblazoned on the East and West sides of the venue between the stalls and the balconies, and there’s a large backdrop on the rear wall of the stage of the new album cover. The venue is almost at full capacity with I’m guessing around a mere 20 spare seats available, which is impressive, especially last time in Brighton they played at The Dome.
At 8:44pm Suede set about bringing their stadium vibe to the Brighton Centre and we are in their company for the next 93 minutes until 10:17pm. We are rewarded 21 choice cuts, commencing with a trio of tunes from their latest ‘Antidepressants’ album, these being the foot-stomping ‘Disintegrate’, followed by ‘Dancing With The Europeans’ and ‘Antidepressants’, which somewhat reminds me of ‘Shot by Both Sides’ by Magazine. There’s no denying it, tonight’s sound is powerful!
Prior to selection four, ‘Trash’ from 1996’s ‘Coming Up’ album, Brett addresses the faithful for the first time: “Good evening Brighton! Welcome to Suede world!”. There are screams of delight from a few girls near us. It’s confirmed, Suede ARE BACK! Mind you, looking at Brett’s physique, it’s as though time has stood still since the band first got it together in London back in 1989. Neil’s keys are utilized for the first time for this track. The classic ‘Animal Nitrate’ from 1993’s self-titled album is their next choice and during this Brett literally launches his microphone around 15 feet right across the stage! I eagerly watch in anticipation to see if it still works when he picks it up again….it does!
The solid sound of ‘We Are The Pigs’ from 1994’s ‘Dog Man Star’ album reverberates around the venue and then Simon’s wonderful drumming is highlighted on ‘Personality Disorder’ from 2022’s ‘Autofiction’ album. Brett’s been right at it, thus far, prowling the width of the stage and taking every opportunity to stand atop of a stage floor speaker when he can. For ‘The 2 Of Us’ power ballad from ‘Dog Man Star’, Brett takes the opportunity to sprawl out on the stage floor whilst delivering the lyrics. I believe there’s a tour debut for ‘Black Ice’ from ‘Autofiction’ which reminds me of the Rolling Stones, especially the wah wah parts. The seriously rockin’ ‘Can’t Get Enough’ from 1999’s ‘Head Music’ album increases the intensity of the show, as Brett heads on down to the crowd barrier for the first time, whilst there’s some ‘My Sharona’ style riffage to be had behind him. The Rolling Stones spring to mind again, especially ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and the “Woo-hoo” reminds me of Blur’s ‘Song 2’.
Brett then informs us that “We are the anti-nostalgia band” and they play a new and unreleased track called ‘Tribe’, which he adds will be on their forthcoming album. Brett adds that surely it’s the first ever song to directly mention Haywards Heath and he chants “RH16”, in reference to the postcode that covers the town itself and surrounding areas like Lindfield Rural, Franklands Village, and Bolnore Village. Later on he also goes into further detail by naming Newton Road in Lindfield as his old stomping ground.
Brett’s back at the crowd barrier during ‘June Rain’ (from ‘Antidepressants’) which reminds me of ‘Ceremony’ by New Order. A couple of cuts from ‘Autofiction’ follow, these being ‘She Still Leads Me On’, (which is like a powerful version of the tracks found on New Order’s ‘Movement’ record) and ‘Shadow Self’ which lets the drums carry you away with the beat. The lads immediately segue straight into ‘Trance State’ from ‘Antidepressants’, with its keys, guitar and drums combination. The mood was brought right down for ‘This Time’ which turned up on the 1997 ‘Sci-Fi Lullabies’ compilation album, having previously been on their ‘Saturday Night’ single. For this Mat, Simon and Richard vacate the stage, leaving Neil on the piano and Brett on vocals for a solo acoustic version, which I think is a tour debut. You could have heard a pin drop, and at one stage, Brett delivered a few lines without the use of the microphone, which went down extremely well with the punters.
Back as a quintet and they offload arguably the best two songs of the night, these being ‘So Young’ and the snarly Britpop anthem ‘Metal Mickey’, both found on 1993’s ‘Suede’ album. These are played back to back and Brett says “Imagine you are at the Goldstone Ground in 1981”. Pleasingly the 1980-81 season was when Brighton escaped relegation from the First Division (now Premiership) by two points and Crystal Palace were bottom with 16 points less than us and got relegated at the foot of the table – shame that, he said in jest! Suede are in full flow and Brett stands atop of one of the stage floor speakers and gets the crowd clapping along with him for ‘Beautiful Ones’ from 1996’s ‘Coming Up’ album. He then totally came off the stage and had a wander throughout the crowd, which certainly brought him up close and personal and thus added to everyone’s enjoyment! Cue deafening applause as the band makes their way off stage.
They return and perform two more tunes, these are ‘The Only Way I Can Love You’ (from ‘Autofiction’) and after Brett saying “Goodnight, God bless, love you Brighton!”, they signed off with ‘Saturday Night’ (from ‘Coming Up’), which vocally and musically reminds me of David Bowie. During this, there’s one final visit to the crowd barrier and then that’s it. It’s all over! Brett then utters the words that every fan in the building is desperate to hear “Goodnight, God bless, see you again!”. Well I for one will certainly want to be present next time around! So in summary….Suede…as relevant today as they were in 1993. Nuff said!
Suede:
Brett Anderson – vocals
Mat Osman – bass
Simon Gilbert – drums
Richard Oakes – guitars
Neil Codling – keyboards, synthesizers, piano, guitars, backing vocals
Suede setlist:
‘Disintegrate’ (from 2025 ‘Antidepressants’ album)
‘Dancing With The Europeans’ (from 2025 ‘Antidepressants’ album)
‘Antidepressants’ (from 2025 ‘Antidepressants’ album)
‘Trash’ (from 1996 ‘Coming Up’ album)
‘Animal Nitrate’ (from 1993 ‘Suede’ album)
‘We Are The Pigs’ (from 1994 ‘Dog Man Star’ album)
‘Personality Disorder’ (from 2022 ‘Autofiction’ album)
‘The 2 Of Us’ (from 1994 ‘Dog Man Star’ album)
‘Black Ice’ (from 2022 ‘Autofiction’ album)
‘Can’t Get Enough’ (from 1999 ‘Head Music’ album)
‘Tribe’ (unreleased)
‘June Rain’ (from 2025 ‘Antidepressants’ album)
‘She Still Leads Me On’ (from 2022 ‘Autofiction’ album)
‘Shadow Self’ (from 2022 ‘Autofiction’ album)
‘Trance State’ (from 2025 ‘Antidepressants’ album)
‘This Time’ (Neil & Brett solo acoustic from 1997 ‘Sci-Fi Lullabies’ compilation album)
‘So Young’ ’ (from 1993 ‘Suede’ album)
‘Metal Mickey’ (from 1993 ‘Suede’ album)
‘Beautiful Ones’ (from 1996 ‘Coming Up’ album)
(encore)
‘The Only Way I Can Love You’ (from 2022 ‘Autofiction’ album)
‘Saturday Night’ (from 1996 ‘Coming Up’ album)
(Outro tape) ‘100%’ (Sonic Youth song)
It seems as though the City of Nottingham has recently been producing a number of quality bands who are offering a full on in-yer-face goth post-punk aural onslaught in their sound. The latest of these being Bloodworm who comprise George Curtis (guitars, vocals), Chris Walker (bass) and Euan Stevens (drums). Thus far Bloodworm have released a quartet of singles, these being ‘Back Of A Hand’ and ‘Depths’ from 2024, ‘The Crown’ in 2025, and this year witnessed the release of ‘Bloodlust’.
Bloodworm’s debut Brighton performance was on 20th March last year at The Hope & Ruin and tonight they return on a much larger scale as tour support for Suede. We are in their company for a mere 27 minutes, from 7:45pm to 8:12pm, and during that time they give us 7 top quality compositions!
There’s no introductions, the lads simply take to the expansive stage, plug in and go! First up is their 2024 ‘Depths’ single which is far more enjoyable than the fact that I’ve just forked out £9 on my beer! The metronomic drumming, rumbly bass and screechy guitar actions carries on as the trio offload their other 2024 single, this being ‘Back Of A Hand’. It has all the hallmarks of post punk with a slight goth tinge thrown in. Think mid 80’s Killing Joke meets Echo & The Bunnymen, and The Chameleons and you’re about there.
“Hello Brighton, we’re Bloodworm from Nottingham” bellows George and they set about playing the slower paced, but just as intense unreleased tune called ‘Along In Your Garden’. After this George informs the punters that it’s their last date of the tour with Suede, and clearly, quite a number of punters present have already witnessed them in action on previous dates, judging by the warm replies. The yet to be recorded ‘Jangle’ with its bass guitar intro is up next, and there’s seriously a lot going on with their sound. It’s astounding to see that there’s just the three of them up there, and musically it feels like much more!
The latest ‘Bloodlust’ single is given an outing next and after a while George informs the crowd that they are going out on a headline tour in their own right in May and that they will be playing the Green Door Store. I eagerly make a note in order to investigate further! Their penultimate choice is the unreleased ‘Clairvoyance’ which offers a more grungy vibe than their previous numbers. The lads sign off and rocked on out with ‘Cemetery Dance’, which hasn’t been released yet. It’s fair to say that the crowd absolutely loved them and I’m expecting good things from here on in! Catch Bloodworm live in Brighton on 7th May – Further details HERE.
Bloodworm:
George Curtis – guitars, vocals
Euan Stevens – drums
Chris walker – bass
Bloodworm setlist:
‘Depths’ (a 2024 single)
‘Back Of A Hand’ (a 2024 single)
‘Along In Your Garden’ (unreleased)
‘Jangle’ (unreleased)
‘Bloodlust’ (a 2026 single)
‘Clairvoyance’ (unreleased)
‘Cemetery Dance’ (unreleased)
