NOVA TWINS + VENUS GRRRLS + BEX @ BRIGHTON CHALK – 13TH MARCH 2026
Tonight is the sixth time that I’ve seen Nova Twins. The first was at Cro-Cro-Land in 2019, where they absolutely blew me away—and they’ve been doing it ever since. Before we get to tonight’s main event, though, there are two support acts to contend with. Or otherwise.
First up is Bex. Fronted by the singer of the same name and backed by bass and drums, they lean heavily into a Royal Blood-style setup—and it works. Opener “Taste Better” is deliciously heavy, complete with semi-rapped vocals and a slightly playful squeak that risks overuse but stays just on the right side of charm.
“Sum Kinda Syko” is undeniably danceable, complete with robotic stage moves, while “Fairies” sees Bex take up bass herself for a more delicate, tuneful moment that really stands out. Later, “Slave 2 The Grind” slows things down into a weighty groove, even if the audience resists the call to slow dance.
“Silence” (ironically anything but) showcases dual bass interplay, shifting gears into double-time passages, while “Crybaby” builds further on that layered low-end attack. By the time “Spyd4 King” rolls around, Bex is crowd-surfing and commanding singalongs before diving into the audience and sprinting straight to the merch desk afterwards. Impressive stuff. Punk in attitude, rock in execution—and it works.
Next are Venus Grrrls, a five-piece from Leeds blending punk, metal and a hint of goth swagger. Fronted by Grace Kelly (almost certainly not that one), alongside Eliza Lee, Hannah Barraclough, Grace Stubbings and Gabby Cooke, they deliver a set that feels both classic and urgent.
“Divine” is a standout—an absolute earworm that balances heaviness with sharp hooks, nodding to early Arctic Monkeys while channelling Pixies and Nirvana dynamics. “Ivy Tree” builds intricately before exploding into full-force chaos, complete with a ripping guitar solo.
Despite some buried synths in the mix, “Bloodsick” hits hard, with Grace delivering powerhouse vocals from the edge of the stage. “Hex”, a newer track, lands like a fully formed anthem. It’s a hugely impressive set—hopefully more headline shows aren’t far behind.
But tonight belongs to Nova Twins. From the moment Amy Love and Georgia South hit the stage, they’re in constant motion—bouncing, riffing, and somehow playing with pinpoint precision.
Opening with “Black Rose” from new album Parasites and Butterflies, the chemistry between the pair feels almost telepathic. Georgia’s gloriously fuzzy bass frequently takes centre stage, blurring the lines between rhythm and lead.
“Sandman” showcases bass and vocal lines moving in harmony, while “Cleopatra” strips things back to bass and drums, reinforcing just how powerful their minimalist setup can be. Across the set, their fusion of rap, R&B, hip-hop and rock refuses to sit neatly in any genre box.
“Taxi” arrives with a siren blast, and while Amy dips in and out of guitar duties, her vocals remain the focal point—clear, powerful and commanding. “Hide and Seek” delivers a bass line worthy of James Jamerson, while “Parallel Universe” brings a punchy drum intro and vintage-style mic distortion.
New track “Drip” features both drum and bass solos—tight, punchy, never indulgent—while Amy cycles through a collection of Gibsons, including a Les Paul, SG and 335.
“Choose Your Fighter” ramps up the energy into hi-NRG territory, with both Amy and Georgia heading into the crowd. Fearless doesn’t even begin to cover it. “Piranha” and “Hummingbird” continue the sonic assault, the latter featuring Georgia using an e-bow to create beautifully fluid bass textures.
After the briefest of exits, they return for “Antagonist”, before closing with “Glory”, introduced with a doorbell chime and a reminder from Amy of “how wonderful it is to be playing these kind of punk shows as things are now.” She’s not wrong.
None of tonight’s artists sound remotely like the Sex Pistols, but that’s the point. Punk here is attitude, not template. And in that sense, every act on this bill delivers.
This wasn’t just a great headline set—it was a unified, belief-driven showcase of modern alternative music at its most vital. An unforgettable night.
Words: Mark Kelly Photos: Cris Watkins
