Brighton alt-pop duo ARXX are set to take the stage at Dolans Upstairs this Thursday, 14 August, bringing with them a bold celebration of queer joy, self-discovery and sonic liberation.
Formed in 2017, vocalist Hanni Pidduck and drummer Clara Townsend have carved a distinct path since their early days as an “angry punk band”. What began as a tentative collaboration sparked by mutual admiration has evolved into a powerful musical partnership grounded in trust, authenticity, and identity.
Their second album Good Boy, released in 2024, is a vivid reflection of that evolution. “This album is queer in its very nature,” Hanni explains. “It’s a celebration of being who you want to be and being fucking honest about it.” Written after a period of intense personal and creative growth—including Hanni’s vocal surgery and coming out as non-binary, and Clara embracing her queer identity after growing up in Dubai—the record pulses with emotional candour and euphoric soundscapes.
The album, produced in Brighton with Blood Red Shoes’ Steve Ansell, marks a shift in approach for the band. Writing the music before the lyrics, they embraced experimentation and freedom, letting pop influences and playful synths rub shoulders with gritty riffs. The result is a vibrant blend of defiance and celebration, best encapsulated by standout single Crying In The Carwash—written moments after finding out they’d landed a dream support slot with queer heroes MUNA.
That tour, along with a run supporting Fletcher and the release of the collaborative charity single ARXX & Friends, solidified the band’s mission: to reflect queer joy back to their audience. “There are enough sad queer stories,” says Hanni. “We wanted to make something joyful, something expansive.”
As ARXX continue to push boundaries and embrace every facet of their identities, their music is both a lifeline and a mirror—for themselves, and for a community that continues to grow around them.
