PROGRAMMING POLICY

TOM is Brighton and Hove’s independent venue; started by artists and run by a team of creatives, we have a passion for seeing things in new ways and creating fresh, relevant experiences to engage, excite and inspire a diverse audience. We encourage risk-taking; presenting new voices and innovative concepts. We want to create, programme and host memorable events that completely immerse our audiences and encourage future generations to come together and enjoy the thrill that only live entertainment can bring.

INNOVATIVE PERFORMANCE
We celebrate and nurture the cross-disciplinary work that emerges from the intersection of contemporary art forms. We work with artists to create a unique and exciting new theatrical language; one that is accessible and relevant to a wide cross-section of our community. Gig theatre, dance theatre, comedy with storytelling, theatrical graphic novels, immersive cabaret parties, spoken word and live looping, and storytelling with VR/AR; all have a home in and around our building.

IMMERSIVE TECH AND INSTALLATIONS
We showcase the best of performances using new and immersive technologies, and we also facilitate artists exploring this brave new world to learn new skills. As well as our #TOMtech Lab programme and commissioning new work for immersive mediums, we also host critical debates and encourage collaboration and shared learning in VR, AR, XR, motion capture and 360-degree film. We believe that artists and, in particular, good storytellers should be at the forefront of exploring the immersive tech and performance culture; one which gives the audience more control.

LIVE MUSIC & COMEDY
Music is always at the beating heart of TOM and we are one of the best live gig venues in the city. Our identity as a key music venue informs and influences much of our other strands of programming, and we champion original, up-and-coming music artists, providing them with the next platform in their development. Big names such as Sam Smith, Paul Weller, Anna Calvi, Kano, Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, Sleaford Mods, Morcheeba and Fatboy Slim have all graced our stage over the years. We are also a home for fresh, new and challenging voices in comedy. We also play host to bigger names on the circuit who are looking for an intimate venue to try out new material.