Hidden Herd Presents is Brighton’s new music discovery night, spotlighting the most exciting emerging artists, ones-to-watch and hidden gems. Their November bash at The Hope & Ruin has just been announced and features 4 top quality acts: Mouth Ulcers, alligatr, O’Phantom and Grimrite.
Let’s meet the acts:
Drawing inspiration from The Cure, Bauhaus and DIIV, London newcomers Mouth Ulcers represent a new generation of post-punk, goth and darkwave, reshaping those influences into something urgent, youthful and intoxicating. Atmospheric guitars, melodic basslines, tribal percussion and cavernous baritone vocals combine to create an irresistibly immediate sound that balances menace with momentum, playfully described as “music for vampires to dance to”. Since making their live debut in February, Mouth Ulcers have hit the ground running, playing Get Together and Dot To Dot festivals before selling out London’s Paper Dress Vintage. With appearances at Neighbourhood Festival, Supersonic Club in Paris and Rockaway Beach on the horizon, the band continues to establish itself as one of the UK’s most exciting new names. Mouth Ulcers recently released their debut EP, ‘Silent Pictures’, via Lab Records, earning support from The Line of Best Fit, Louder Than War and more.
Brighton four-piece alligatr have built a reputation as one of the city’s most exciting live acts, known for their visceral performances that combine raw intensity with inventive, anthemic and gritty songwriting. Since relaunching under a new name, they’ve released two excellent singles from their forthcoming EP, ‘Pterosaur Kite’ and ‘Foxglove’, both of which have been championed by Melita Dennett on BBC Music Introducing. Under their previous guise, they supported Wunderhorse and performed at The Great Escape Festival, and have quickly made waves as alligatr by selling out their first Brighton headline show at The Folklore Rooms. This summer, they’ve also supported the similarly brooding and atmospheric Heavy Wild and played both Boardmasters and Pencoose Festival in Cornwall, with plenty more still to come before the end of the year.
Post-punk art-indie collective O’Phantom emerged from Hull’s fiercely independent music scene, crafting a sound that blends the city’s rugged Northern spirit with influences ranging from Parquet Courts and Deerhunter to Metronomy. Rooted in Yorkshire’s gothic history and DIY ethos, they embrace a lo-fi aesthetic, creating songs that feel both ethereal and unsettling. Deeply embedded in Hull’s grassroots music culture, members of the band are also involved with the city’s beloved venue, Polar Bear Music Club. O’Phantom have earned early support from Jericho Keys at BBC Music Introducing, legendary Seattle tastemakers KEXP, John Kennedy on Radio X and Charlie Ashcroft at Amazing Radio. The band quickly built momentum on the UK live circuit through support slots with Heavy Lungs, Gurriers, Humour and Westside Cowboy. Their rise has been marked by high-profile invitations, including a set for Chris Hawkins (BBC Radio 6 Music) at his Awesome Friends night and a showcase at The Great Escape Festival in 2025. Following that success, they were also recently chosen by So Young Magazine to play this year’s Truck Festival.
Inspired by Cocteau Twins, Interpol and Just Mustard, Grimrite is an art-rock project turned four-piece from Brighton, defined by airy vocals, moody basslines and hypnotic, shoegaze-drenched guitars. The evolution into a full band has transformed Grimrite from its roots in experimental soundscapes into a bold, fuzzy exploration of experience, with each song offering surreal yet sentimental songwriting. Live, Grimrite has performed at Agenda Collective’s multi-venue event Girls Night Out Fest and The Hope & Ruin’s Ones To Watch night. They’re also set to appear at Blitzcat Records’ Night Claws showcase at Windmill Brixton alongside Lifeloose, Girl Apocrypha and Opus Kink member BARBADOS99.
This event is going down on Wednesday 18th November at The Hope & Ruin in Brighton. Advance tickets are £11 and will be on sale via DICE: https://linktr.ee/hiddenherd
