East Sussex calling! With the vinyl revolution showing no signs of slowing down and Record Store Day taking place on 13 April 2019, we’re taking a look at the musical links that East Sussex boasts and where you can pick up a record or two.

Keane

This pop-rock band, fronted by Tom Chaplin, rose to fame in the mid-2000s and was formed in Battle.

Nods to towns don’t get much stronger than their song Sovereign Light Café from 2012. The lyrics reference some familiar parts of East Sussex, such as Battle Abbey and Bexhill seafront, where the video is filmed.

Visit: The highlight of Bexhill’s seafront is, of course, the De La Warr Pavilion, just along the promenade from the café that gives Keane’s song its name. Here, you’ll also find the record store Music’s Not Dead, on the first floor.

Madness

Although ska band Madness was officially formed in Camden, their most famous member – Graham McPherson (Suggs) – was born in Hastings.

In your Record Store Day hunt look out for One Step Beyond, the second single from their debut album of the same name. The album itself reached number 2 in the UK with 78 weeks in the charts.

Visit: Instead of steps, take the UK’s steepest funicular railway up Hastings’ east hill. At the bottom, you’re right by George Street, with its many antique shops where you may well be able to pick up a record or two.

Vinyl by Gavin St Ours

Image by Gavin St Ours

Toploader

Remember Dancing in the Moonlight from the turn of the century? If so, it’s probably now back in your head.

The song made number 17 in a BBC Three 2007 list of The 100 Most Annoying Pop Songs…We Hate to Love. Perhaps it’s not your cup of tea, but it did come from a triple-platinum album so for a while this Eastbourne band was widely known.

Visit: Keeping to the beach theme, views don’t get much better than out to the lighthouse from Beachy Head. Then get to Pebble Records, in town, for your vinyl fill.

Rag ‘n’ Bone Man

Global sensations can come from any corner of the planet. It just so happened that Rag’n’Bone man was born in Uckfield.

The multiple Brit Award-winner exploded on to the scene in 2016 with the fastest-selling album of the decade, Human. The single of the same name reached number 2 in the UK chart and 1 in many European countries.

Cat Stevens

The folk singer Cat Stevens – now known as Yusuf – isn’t well known for any East Sussex links, but one of his most famous songs certainly does.

The original words used in Morning has Broken, a top-10 hit, were written by Eleanor Farjeon in and inspired by the Alfriston countryside.

 

What East Sussex-inspired music can you find on Record Shop Day 2019?