The worst-kept secret in town has now come clean. Several months ago Mercury Rev announced a tour and one of the dates was described as “Mutations, Brighton”. Well, it’s public now. Mutations Festival is back for another year, running from the 5th to the 9th of November 2024 at various venues in Brighton.

This year it starts with three warm-up parties on Tuesday to Thursday with the festival on Friday and Saturday. The lineup looks like the usual indie suspects with bigger names than the Great Escape. The lineup looks something like this.

Tuesday

Sprints – Coach Party ⬣ Dog Race ⬣ Kynsy ⬣ Shelf Lives
Plus: Lambrini Girls (djs)

Wednesday

Arooj Aftab – Alabaster Deplume ⬣ June Mcdoom ⬣ Sheherazaad ⬣ Zsela

Thursday

Casisdead – Elijah & Jammz ⬣ Grove ⬣ Novelist ⬣ Oscar #Worldpeace

Friday

Warmduscher – Lime Garden ⬣ Snapped Ankles ⬣ Strfkr ⬣ the Orielles ⬣ Ugly ⬣ Willie j Healey

Saturday

Kneecap ⬣ BC Camplight – Hamish Hawk ⬣ Jane Weaver (Solo) ⬣ Mercury rev ⬣ October Drift ⬣ the Chisel ⬣ Vlure

Arooj Aftab is a highly respected Pakistani/American singer whilst Kneecap are some (comedy?) rappers from Ireland over here promoting their new film. BC Camplight is good value in a John Grant sort of way and Hamish Hawke and Snapped Ankles always seem to play Mutations. All in all, it’s well worth checking out.