Moscow Death Brigade

Moscow Death Brigade play Zahara on Saturday 6 February, their only Brighton date that winter. They're a Russian band playing what they call 'Circle Pit' — an aggressive mix of electronic music, hardcore punk and rap, all steeped in graffiti and street culture. It's a sound that sits right at the intersection of the dancefloor and the mosh pit, and the name 'Circle Pit' tells you exactly where it's meant to go.

Beyond the noise, there's a clear social thread running through it. They describe their work as carrying a progressive message against war, racism and other forms of discrimination, and they've backed that up with more than just lyrics. In 2018, they played 47 shows — 30 of them sold out — including a set at Berlin's SO36 before 850 people. From those dates, they raised 4,000 EUR for Sisters, a non-profit that supports victims of sexual and domestic abuse in Russia. It's a good example of how the band operates: the music is loud and confrontational, but the money and the message go somewhere specific.

The Brighton show is presented by Be Sharp Promotions and Last Gang In Town, in association with Destiny Tourbooking. It's a single-act bill, so the focus is entirely on the band. If you've never seen them live, it's a good place to start: the 'Circle Pit' sound is built for a room like Zahara, where the electronic side can hit hard and the punk energy has space to breathe.

It all goes down at Zahara, 77 East Street, BN1 1NF, on Saturday 6 February, with the night starting at 19:00. Tickets are £18.70, a guide price that's subject to change, so it's worth getting yours sorted early.