Phoenix rockers, The Maine, have found themselves a long way from home this evening. Yet on their visit to Brighton’s The Haunt, they’ve also found themselves surrounded by one of the most excitable, dedicated fanbases that I’ve come across in an awfully long time. Prepare yourself and your ears, because this show is a pure blast of uninterrupted, sparking sounds from start to finish.

Tonight’s supports are both excellent in their own way. Opening are The Technicolors, who bring an initial pulse of energy through some upbeat summery tracks which pack a great deal of punch. The anthem-like stature of each of their songs is mesmerising to watch and more than a few crowd members have come down specifically for this set. A great opening band who will have definitely gained a few new followers tonight.

The following support from Night Riots only ups the antics, at this point the venue is essentially already at capacity and I can honestly say I’ve never seen so much enthusiasm for a support band. Looking almost like a Matt Healy (from The 1975) impressionist, vocalist. Travis Hawley dominates the stage, his voice is spectacular and features a certain level of cool and dreaminess to it. The crowd know every song and are more than eager to chant back to the band, and the inclusion of a spontaneous black out light show, using LED-laced drum sticks, is a beautiful addition to the band’s set. I could very easily have mistaken Night Riots for a headline act. Night Riots is definitely a name to remember as these guys are almost certainly going to be huge.

With my musical appetite almost full already, we’re now all set up for The Maine! The band enter and immediately blast into a colossal number in the form of ‘Black Butterflies & Déjà Vu’, the audience can barely contain themselves as a sea of people begin to jump in beautiful untimely unison. Vocalist John O’Callaghan’s strong accent can be heard deeply within each note and really does inflict a delightful sense of warming Americanisms within each track. John is a born showman, acting as a mesmerising beacon of energy throughout the entire set. He soon proceeds to clamber atop of the side monitors and watch the crowd’s eagerness from above, at which point the entire room gladly complies, sending themselves into the initial stages of a circle pit.

The rest of the band are by no means afraid to share the spotlight either, each member not only holds a spectacular energy but are all capable of making one hell of a noise! The solo work from lead guitarist, Jared Monaco, is particularly exceptional and each piercing note within the infectious ‘How Do You Feel?’ rings through the entire room beautifully, supplying just that little more electricity through the venue to keep the set feeling fresh. John soon makes a remark that the band want to, “Blow out this entire place!” at which they certainly give a good go. The five-piece each proceed to thrash both themselves and their instruments around the stage in true chaotic fashion.

Amongst all the buzz, a few slower numbers make well-placed appearances and add a much needed level of sanity and sensitivity behind the set. Encore track ‘Another Night On Mars’ is particularly heartfelt and sees the entire room chanting over the sound of the band to the point where you can’t even hear the band’s vocals! A loving ending to a really well structured set that was enjoyable right up until the last note.

If you are ever in the area of a show with The Maine, I cannot recommend them enough. These guys not only know their way around an infectious track, but bring one of the liveliest sets I’ve seen in an awfully long time! Similarly, both support bands are certainly names to keep an eye on, all three of these bands embody what makes live music such an exciting thing to be a part of and are all going extremely far.

Ben Walker

Website: wearethemaine.net
Facebook: facebook.com/themaine
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