Book of Churches

Felix Mackenzie-Barrow, who many will recognise as the co-vocalist and guitarist from the band Divorce, is bringing his new solo project, Book of Churches, to Brighton this spring. He is set to perform at The Hope & Ruin on Thursday, 23rd April 2026. This project came together during his time on the road throughout 2025, born from a writing process he describes as being incredibly DIY and somewhat naive. It’s a shift away from his usual band dynamic, focusing instead on a more personal, folk-inspired sound that seems well-suited to the upstairs room at the venue on Queens Road.

The self-titled debut album is scheduled for release on 6th March under the Gravity/Capitol Records label, meaning the songs will have had a few weeks to settle before the Brighton date. While the record was mixed by Richie Kennedy—known for his work with Interpol and The Last Dinner Party—the arrangements remain minimalist. Felix has cited influences like Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen, and Fionn Regan, which comes through in the lead singles 'Song By A Stranger' and 'The Quiet Was A Heron'. The material functions almost like an emotional travelogue, touching on themes of dread, grief, and lost love that he documented while touring.

In terms of the practical side of things, the evening is scheduled to start with doors at 20:00, with everything expected to finish by 23:00. As is standard for The Hope & Ruin, this is an 18+ event. Tickets have been on the market since 9th January 2026, and while some tourism sites might still list the pricing as 'TBC', they are available through the usual channels like AXS and Bandcamp. It’s a good opportunity for those who enjoy intimate folk sets or are curious to see how Felix’s songwriting translates outside of his work with Divorce, especially in a local setting that favours this kind of stripped-back performance.