It was good to see the return of the Spectrum Night at the Dome Studio (previously the Pavilion) after a short absence sponsored by Resident Records in association with Brighton Dome. With a line up of three bands which if not spectacular or quite fulfilling the ‘best Brighton has to offer’ was nonetheless entertaining and presented good value at £4.00 a ticket which meant by the time the first band took to the stage there was reasonable size audience which grew throughout the evening.
The Galleons were the first band to grace the stage, a six piece outfit I had not seen before although I am aware they gig quite regularly and have received some nice reviews however while their performance was acceptable and nice, their melodic folk tinged MOR pop songs lacked any real inventiveness or sparkle and although at times the vocals and harmonies of Ben Crockett and Beth Chesser in unison worked quite well together there was little song wise or vocally to make me react above polite applause.
Next on stage was Seadog who I had also not seen before but was very aware of front man and lead vocalist Mark Nathan Benton and his collaboration with Man Ray Sky a well respected established Brighton band. Seadog to me is a relatively new venture having recently come across their excellent EP ‘Transmitter’on Bleeding Heart Recordings (previously reviewed here by Brightonsfinest.com) and now regularly on my playlist and I was keen to hear how the songs were performed live. Haunted from the new EP was the perfect start immediately getting the Saturday night audience behind them, the track building beautifully to a strong crescendo.
The Galleons were the first band to grace the stage, a six piece outfit I had not seen before although I am aware they gig quite regularly and have received some nice reviews however while their performance was acceptable and nice, their melodic folk tinged MOR pop songs lacked any real inventiveness or sparkle and although at times the vocals and harmonies of Ben Crockett and Beth Chesser in unison worked quite well together there was little song wise or vocally to make me react above polite applause.
Next on stage was Seadog who I had also not seen before but was very aware of front man and lead vocalist Mark Nathan Benton and his collaboration with Man Ray Sky a well respected established Brighton band. Seadog to me is a relatively new venture having recently come across their excellent EP ‘Transmitter’on Bleeding Heart Recordings (previously reviewed here by Brightonsfinest.com) and now regularly on my playlist and I was keen to hear how the songs were performed live. Haunted from the new EP was the perfect start immediately getting the Saturday night audience behind them, the track building beautifully to a strong crescendo.
I was particularly impressed by Seadog’s line up which had a modern and contemporary feel while being equally impressed by Mark Benton’s vocals and guitar playing. I will definitely be looking out for their next gig and any future release.
Finally headlining the show was Early Ghost whose performance has come on leaps and bounds since first seeing them at the Drill Festival in December 2014. I particularly liked the way they set about their set which was dynamic and enthralling from beginning to end.
Finally headlining the show was Early Ghost whose performance has come on leaps and bounds since first seeing them at the Drill Festival in December 2014. I particularly liked the way they set about their set which was dynamic and enthralling from beginning to end.
Following an intriguing and atmospheric intro, the band launched into one of their strongest tracks ‘Everything Goes With It’, an absolute cracker of a song with mesmerising guitar, haunting keyboards and psychedelic-folk banjo effect which had the audience begging for more and hanging on every song that came their way. As well as crafting their own songs I was further impressed by the way each member of the band was allowed to express himself and get across their own personalities on stage as well as contributing to a high level band performance. It is also of some significance that in Mick O’Malley, Early Ghost have a vocalist and front man with charisma (choir boy looks) and bags of stage presence.
Early Ghost performed several outstanding songs including their latest release Devil’s Got Me Now. Even the non arrival of their special 7” vinyl from the factory to celebrate the release could not deter matters nor at one point the breaking of several strings. Early Ghost comfortably ploughed their way through it all, never letting up and making sure the audience was with them the whole way. This was a very accomplished and enjoyable performance still so early in their careers and bodes well for the future.
As part of the Great Escape Brightonsfinest.com are pleased to confirm Early Ghost will be performing in the afternoon at the Alternative Escape – May 15th – Latest Music Bar.
Early Ghost performed several outstanding songs including their latest release Devil’s Got Me Now. Even the non arrival of their special 7” vinyl from the factory to celebrate the release could not deter matters nor at one point the breaking of several strings. Early Ghost comfortably ploughed their way through it all, never letting up and making sure the audience was with them the whole way. This was a very accomplished and enjoyable performance still so early in their careers and bodes well for the future.
As part of the Great Escape Brightonsfinest.com are pleased to confirm Early Ghost will be performing in the afternoon at the Alternative Escape – May 15th – Latest Music Bar.
The Captain