An Evening With Phil Bates

If you are looking for plans on the evening of Saturday, 20 June 2026, there is a concert happening at St Mary's Church in Brighton. Phil Bates, who spent time as the frontman and guitarist for ELO Part II and The Orchestra, will be performing in what is described as an intimate setting. The programme for the night covers a mix of his original material, some blues tracks, and a selection of Beatles songs. He will also be playing several of the Jeff Lynne songs that were central to ELO's catalogue.

Bates will be joined by Sam Grassie, a Scottish fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter. Grassie’s own work often moves between traditional folk, acoustic blues, and American primitivism. He has recently been touring with artists like Ryley Walker, Naima Bock, and Daisy Rickman, following the release of his debut EP, 'Sandwood'. Having both musicians on stage suggests a varied musical approach for the evening, given their different backgrounds.

The venue, St Mary's Church, is located at 61 St James' Street, BN2 1PR. It is situated in a central part of the city, within walking distance of local landmarks like the Royal Pavilion, the Brighton Palace Pier, and the Brighton Music Tunnel. The concert is scheduled to start at 19:00.

Regarding the logistics, tickets are currently listed at £18.00 for concessions and £20.00 for standard entry. It is worth noting that these prices are provided as a guide and can fluctuate on a daily basis, so it is advisable to check the current rates if you are planning to attend. The event is organised by Visit Brighton.