Live Review + Gallery | Mutations Festival 2026

Mutations Festival

Multiple Venues, Brighton

23rd-24th October 2026

Photography by Daniel Lincoln and Erin Terlier

Erin Terlier

Hi, I’m Erin Terlier, a passionate photographer based in Belgium (and London). My work focuses primarily on concert photography but I also love shooting portraits.

My approach is all about capturing moments that speak for themselves — whether it’s the chaos of a live show or the quiet vulnerability of a portrait. Photography is my way of documenting stories, emotions, and connections.

We return to Brighton’s Mutations Festival for a packed weekend of new music and celebrating the bands shaping the current indie scene

It’s the second year in a row that I’ve had the chance to go to Mutations festival. The exciting thing is, after last year, something I knew I was gonna discover my new favorite band. Last year, it was KEO; I couldn’t stop listening to them on my way home to Belgium and they definitely became my most listened to band over the year.

I decided to start my day with THEATRE, which was such a unique experience. They have so much energy paired with vocals so soothing that you find yourself completely hypnotised. A little crowd began to form right after the start of their set, the band summoning people to come closer with the power of music.

Hutch really hit me to the core with both their energetic songs and, more so, with their relaxing ones. Even though their energy can sometimes be chaotic, but somehow this brings something peaceful with it. They also took the time to remind us about what we can do as individuals to protect trans lives and other marginalised groups.

Divebar Youth is the band that has been stuck in my head since Friday. Though there were only two on that little stage at The Hope And Ruin, with only a guitar and the incredible voice of the front man, it felt like I was watching a concert of a far bigger band.

Fat Dog closed out Chalk on Friday, armed with a crowd who understood the assignment. The band came on stage with so much energy that the crowd couldn’t do anything else but give it back. Two minutes into the set and there already were people jumping, crowd-surfing and doing pits.

Kicking off Saturday were Jo From School, with the Prince of Albert already full of people. They delivered a set so well crafted that it left you wishing it would never end. I then headed to Folklore Rooms to catch foot foot, who blended raw sounds with vulnerability and authenticity, something I really appreciated because it made the audience feel a lot more connected to their music.

I had a great time with Speedial, who put saxophones proudly as the centrepiece of their sound. It became the cherry on the cake, that helped make the sound so unique, especially live, with two main vocalists also blending together so heavenly.

Little Grandad put us through all types of emotions, moving from serene melodies with tragic lyrics to upbeat moments in only one song. Seeing them having so much fun on stage is contagious, you can’t help but root for them. If you missed Little Grandad, the good news is that they are going back on an in-store tour at the end of January, where you will get to hear some new songs from their debut album ‘Speak Softly, Son’ coming out on 22nd of January.

The storm really took off the moment Iguana Death Cult stepped foot on Patterns’ stage. Coming from Rotterdam, they brought a mix of genres: going from Rock to Post-Punk and adding some new wave, soul and pop. It, for sure, made their connection with the audience really special, and was unreal to experience.

This year I discovered two venues: The Alphabet and The Daltons, the latter being beside the sea. I went to see Night Swimming, a calming experience and a great way to wind down after Iguana Death Cult, and forgot about the storm happening right outside the windows.

the north closed out Dust with a small set but one that will definitely stay in my mind for a long time. They already have a sold-out tour in the UK this winter and I am looking forward to seeing them grow bigger so they get known in Europe too. The loyal fans at the front row were spoiled with a new song they had never performed before which they teased would release soon !

Last but not least I finished Mutations with the band Aliens Chicks. If you ever need to jump your heart out you should definitely see them play. I, again, left with so many memories and good new music in my playlists. Mutations Festival is definitely enough to draw me back to Brighton every year from now on.