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What a blast that was!

Over 350 guests, 19 acts, 2 stages, more than 12 hours of music and loads of sunshine. And we're delighted to say we were able to raise £600 for the Lewes Foodbanks and Starfish Youth Music.

Thanks to all of you who came or supported us in other ways.

Will be back next year? Watch this space...

Twelve hours of non-stop live performances in the centre of Lewes showcasing some of the best independent artists from the South-East and beyond, carefully curated by the Hilltop Sessions team. 

Expect the return of some of our favourite Hilltop Sessions performers as well as new faces bringing you a plethora of sounds from indie-folk to techno via blues rock, gypsy-punk and more.

(And don't worry about the weather as the main stage will be indoors!)

All profits will be donated to local foodbanks and to support local youth music project, Starfish.

Line-Up
16 Live Performances & 3 DJs

Indoor main stage & outdoor acoustic stage

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Ben Ottewell (Gomez)

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Gomez frontman returns to Lewes to perform a special 25th year anniversary performance of Gomez classic album 'Bring it On'.

As a singer and lead guitarist in rock band Gomez, Ben Ottewell is well known for his unmistakable voice and talent for blistering and inspired guitar solos. Rolling Stone declared, "Gomez's not-so-secret weapon is Ben Ottewell.” Ben will perform a one-off solo rendition of legendary Gomez album Bring It On, realeased 25 years ago!

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The Great Malarkey

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The Great Malarkey do not disappoint. They bring their whole heart to every song, every show, every album and anyone who wants to listen. Influenced by the likes of Tom Waits, The Pogues, Beirut, Nick Cave, and Toots and the Maytals, The Great Malarkey are riotous mix of musical styles and genres delivered in a “multicultural train of fastbeats and trembling slams of punk-folk spirit”. 

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The Dead Reds

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Outlaw Blues Rock with a very modern edge and powerful social commentary, The Dead Reds are a six piece band based in Brighon who play all original dirty British blues, psych and rock and roll.

Fresh from touring with Alabama 3 and recording their latest album,  

The Dead Reds are a firm favourite of the Brighton live music scene.

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Sam Walker aka Atton Raon

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With songs full of hope and a stage full of all kinds of instruments including guitars, foot percussion, keyboards, steel pans, drums and a voice that ranges from the sublime to a screeching yowl - Sam’s solo shows conjure up a rare and unique spine tingling atmosphere that can rock a sweaty packed club or charm you in the intimacy of your living room.

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Alice Gold

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Alice Gold is an English Singer Songwriter. After travelling alone across America in a 1978 Dodge Winnebago, Alice settled in London where she met British producer Dan Carey (Kae Tempest, Sia, Hot Chip, Black Midi, Wet Leg) and recorded Seven Rainbows. Alice has supported The Eels , The Flaming Lips, Athlete, Band Of Skulls, Noah and the Whale and opened The Other Stage in Glastonbury in 2011.

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Michael Baker

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Praised by Atwood Magazine as “an achingly honest & heartfelt reckoning full of striking vulnerability & intensely intimate, beautiful songwriting.” A Hilltop Sessions regular, Michael is one of the most talented performer, songwriters and multi-instrumentalists in the Brighton music scene.  
 

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Natsuma

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Natsuma is a 20 year old singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist and producer who's been making music for over a decade. Natsuma writes, records and produces all her songs at home and takes inspiration from the likes of Nao, The 1975, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder and electronic music.

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Bella Spinks

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Bella Spinks is a young singer/songwriter from Brighton. She played her first gig at Brighton's Concorde 2 at only 12 years of age. Fusing her characteristic piano style and inventive vocals she has drawn comparisons to Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Carole King and Regina Spektor. 

'Bella has the true instincts of every born poet, lyricist or writer that ever breathed' - Tom Robinson 6music

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Baby Eleanor

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BabyEleanor is a singer-songwriter based in Brighton.

Her long awaited debut EP - ‘Crying Over Spilt Milk’ is a stark and soulful exploration of mental health and love in the modern age. Vocally influenced by the likes of Julie London and Ella Fitzgerald while lyrically and melodically taking inspiration from Anderson Pak, Eryka Badu and Amy Winehouse.

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The Magnificent Kevens

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Marauding mayhem! The Magnficent Kevens are a shameless busking troupe and walk about band, most recently spotted at Glastionbury's Theatre & Circus Field. Prepare to be ambushed by these masters of pop-up tomfoolery,  retro-dressed as legends from rock 'n roll's golden past,  they will churn out their re-engineered classics for you at the drop of a hat.

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Sennen Timcke

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Deriving from folk roots, Sennen Timcke is a singer-songwriter inspired by classic British and American Folk music. He has a unique and compelling sound. Exploring the connection and disconnection between human nature and the environment. With an unusual voice and deft finger-picking guitar style, his live performance has vulnerability and depth, and a sincere and heartfelt take on the world.

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ADDER

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A favourite of the Brighton music scene as multi-instrumentalist touring and recording with artists including Michael Baker, Lucy Rose & The Staves, ADDER, has been building their solo material in the studio, performing all the instruments themselves. Now, with a full set of material performed alone on synthesisers, violin & guitar with extensive use of loops and effects, they have brought the studio project to the stage. Expect everything from violin-led folk songs to absorbing synth-led confessionals.

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Maia Eden

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Ever since she was a young lass growing up in the Scottish highlands, music has been Maia's love and refuge. Her unique voice, pure melodies and poetic lyrics have established her as an exciting and interesting new voice in the indie-folk scene.

Maia is also the co-founder of Hilltop Live, promoting talented artists across the South-East and the Scottish Highlands.

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Jem Hannam

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Jem Hannam is a newly established folk singer based in Brighton. His confessional lyrics and beautiful, yet dark and touching melodies evoke a sense of poignancy. He has recently recorded with producer Tim Bidwell (Lucy Rose, Fink, Memorial) and has a huge collection of evocative songs to share with the world ahead of his new EP, 'Fires'.

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Erika Olson

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Erik Olson is a singer-songwriter who journeyed from New Mexico  to the Sussex Downs  weaving hard-won truths, soulful vocals, rhythmic guitar and contemporary sensibility into memorable indie folk music. Her music tells stories grounded in vivid detail that will take you on a journey filled with heartache, love, loss and redemption.

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Tessa Breen

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Born and bred Brightonian musician Tessa Breen will be performing songs from her debut EP ‘White Moon’ including the single ‘How To Break Your Heart’ which was released earlier this year. Accompanied by the acoustic guitar and with a love of songwriting, Tessa’s music can be pigeonholed as folk-pop enriched with ample references to the Sussex landscape and coastline.

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Fruitful Soundsystem

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The Fruitful Soundsystem was founded and is run by DJ Nick Carling. After over a decade of living and DJing in London, it was time to get out and start a fresh. East Sussex was the destination with the opportunity to bring some of that musical goodness to a new area. 

The aim is to provide people and places with 'aural nutrition'

- music that inspires and uplifts

- music that is good for you! 

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Bang Bang Meringue

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All female DJ collective from Lewes spinning an eclectic mix of tunes from reggae, ska, RnB, afrobeat, 80’s, alternative and current grooves - a little something for everyone! 

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DJ Mark Allen

    We'll be closing off the night with some techno from amazing DJ Mark Allen, one of the founders of Goa Trance who will be playing house and techno classics and some of his own favourites.

    Food, drink and stalls

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    We would like to express our gratitude to Human Nature for their help in making this festival possible.

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