January Music News

BIMM Sale Rumours Dismissed
Rumours by national newspapers that the Brighton Institute of Modern Music had been put up for sale have been rejected by its owners Sovereign Capital. Instead, David O’Connor, marketing director at BIMM, stated that the college, which has featured alumni including Tom Odell and The Kooks, is looking to expand the business into either Europe, the US or Asia, following the opening of connected colleges in Dublin and Manchester last year.

Royal Blood Shortlisted
Brighton duo Royal Blood, a.k.a. Mike Keer and Ben Thatcher, have been shortlisted for the BBC Sound of 2014. Tipped as one of 15 acts to watch next year, the two-piece join the likes of Adele and Ellie Goulding in being nominated by the panel of 170 music experts.

BMC tickets on sale
Early bird tickets are now on sale for the Brighton Music Conference. The UK’s first annual conference for the electronic music market will take place from April 11th-12th at the Brighton Dome. The show aims to provide music brands the opportunity to connect with the electronic music scene while reaching industry professionals on a worldwide scale.


DJ Derek Retires
72-year-old DJ Derek Morris has hung up his headphones for the final time after playing his final gig at Brighton’s Concorde 2 last month. DJ Derek has been a full-time DJ since his early fifties and learnt to blend reggae, ska, dancehall and soul so well that he has become an icon for many producers. Derek was renowned for his West Indian patois that contradicted his Bristol routes.