There’s more to Hobbie Stuart than meets the eye. A Brightonian of Brazilian and British/Italian heritage, Hobbie has shot to worldwide attention with a series of homemade YouTube videos featuring cover versions of tracks by the likes of Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Katie Perry and Adele. These aren’t your average cover versions though as Hobbie deliberately sets out to make them markedly different from the originals. 'I changed the chords and the pace,’ he says, ‘layered some of the melodies and put harmonies on them. I worked out a different way to do it.’ ‘Covers are a great way to get noticed.’

He could be right. To date Hobbie has chalked up 25,000 subscribers and his 11 videos have had three million hits. Meanwhile, offline, he and his band have performed sold out gigs in Brighton and London during summer 2011.

But it’s Hobbie’s own material that has earned him a record deal and the very real potential of becoming a major pop star. His sound moves between uptempo songs with beats and synths, and a slower, more organic acoustic feel. What’s refreshing about Hobbie is that he sings with his own accent – think Lily Allen meets Mike Skinner – and with an unapologetically emotional edge, influenced by his connection with Brazilian culture. ‘I put emotion into the tunes, which a lot of pop artists don’t these days,’ says Hobbie. ‘My songs are about girls and relationships and all of that, things that everyone can relate to. It’s what I like singing about.’

Early gig offers - enjoy a drink on our roof terrace before the support band

£2.50 Specials…
Becks Vier 440ml
Bulmers Cider 440ml
House Wine 175ml
Vodka & Mix

From 7-8pm Monday to Thursday and from 5:30-9:30pm* Fridays (ticket holders only).

*if an early show is booked on a Friday the offer runs 7-8pm only.

Tickets for this event are available from the venue box office, and can be purchased at face value if payment is made in cash.