PierFest - A summer of great shows at Brighton Palace Pier

PierFest runs from July 16 to October 3 and features events for the whole family, from music and theatre to kids entertainment.

The brilliant Brighton Beach Boys will play three gigs, the first on July 16 celebrating hits that are 50 years old this year, a nostalgic ride guaranteed to bring back memories.

They will be celebrating Carole King’s classic album Tapestry and Joni Mitchell’s iconic album Blue, 50 years old this year. In their final gig the band pay tribute to David Bowie with a set that covers hits from across his career.

Not to be missed is Chris Difford, Squeeze star and writer of the hits Up The Junction and Cool For Cats in an evening that explores his music and his career.

There’s also a wonderful show depicting the life of country music’s biggest star, the inimitable Dolly Parton.

Barb Jungr has built a reputation around the world for her interpretation of the songs of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Jacques Brel and the Beatles and she is bringing her tribute to some of the greatest songwriters of the last 60 years.

The Bootleg Beatles, the crown princes of Beatles’ bands whose performances of Fab Four classics have been universally declared as faultless.

PierFolk is four days of top acts headlined by Martin Simpson and Stick in the Wheel and includes a folk musical by Rory McLeod, four days guaranteed to get your feet tapping.

Musical theatre is represented by performances from acclaimed Andrew Farr who brings his Edith Piaf show to the pier and he is supported by Lo Polidoro.

Edinburgh Fringe star Ty Jeffries brings his award winning Miss Hope Springs: I’ve Been Around show, a riotous tragi-comic story of rags to bitches!

Carol Harrison’s acclaimed celebration of The Small Faces, All Or Nothing – The Experience, returns in a new concerts staging that truly evokes that period of mod style and fashion.

If you like something more classical then look out for Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado too. Brighton Theatre company is also reviving their international hit play Mozzz, the prequel to their new offering Exit The Queen:

And keep an eye open for local radio hero Guy Lloyd and his show Bangers & Mash, and cabaret star Miss Jason with friends.

For the younger crowd KidzFest is a series of totally free events and performances that includes Word on the Podium - rap n rhymes about sport, Uncle Tacko’s famous flea circus, the Slow Olympics and The Bag Lady, ten days of fun for the whole family!

August is jam-packed too with free films on the Big Screen including all-time classic, Casablanca and wonderful Brighton film My Accomplice made by Charlie Weaver Rolfe and Harry Loves Meghan produced by Bill Smith of Latest TV.

PierFest ends with five days of jazz from September 29 to October 3 with some of the UK’s jazz greats.

The line up includes Mark Kavuma’s Banger Factory and Cherisse Adams-Burnett. Other jazz greats includes Julian Siegel, Lianne Carroll, Alan Barnes and Dave Newton, Howes 3 and Jackson Mathod.

For full details go to; brightonpier.co.uk