The Rocket Summer, Brighton Concorde 2, Thursday 3rd June 2010.

Last year I was lucky enough to see Gallows at the Brighton Concorde 2 and it remains to date the best gig I have been to. Why? Well, it was largely down to Gallows but I can't deny that part of the reason was the venue itself. Brighton's Concorde 2 is quite possibly one of the smallest venues going and when I say small, I mean SMALL. Not only this but it has character. Floorboards which creak ominously when you jump on them and stained glass windows but the real highlight is that this tiny venue leads straight onto Brighton beach. By far my favourite venue, I only wish that more bands played there. 9.5/10.

Originally, The Audition were supposed to be the main support of the night but they pulled out at the last minute because they received a 'better offer'. Although I have more respect for a band who stick to their commitments, I'm still not entirely sure whether this was their choice or their management's, so I'll refrain from complaining.

The venue isn't even half full when Matthew P appears on stage (and that's really saying something) but he makes the best of it anyway. It's a very nice set too; featuring him and his guitar. There's even a little model of his name which moves and he tells us the story of how a toymaker made it especially for him. Add to this image a picturesque view of the beach with the sun shining in through the open double doors and you can't help but think that it's a very nice set indeed. His music topped the whole thing off, it was cheerful and relaxing. Very 'summer-y'. 68/100. www.myspace.com/matthewpmusic




Next up were a band called The Blueskies, a band who are actually from good old Brighton. Now, they're a tricky bunch to sum up. I actually like their music quite a bit but there was something which I couldn't put my finger on which annoyed me greatly. 50/100. www.myspace.com/theblueskies





Bryce Avary. The Rocket Summer. Whatever you want to call him, there is one thing you have to agree on: he is one talented musician. As Bryce takes to the stage with his friends who form the rest of the live band, there are huge cheers from such a small crowd. There's a tangible atmosphere, not the sort of building anticipation which fills the room just before a mosh pit explodes, but an atmosphere of excitement and happiness which is perfectly understandable considering Bryce happens to be one of the happiest people alive. He played most of his best songs such as Cross My Heart, Brat Pack, So Much Love, Do You Feel, I Need A Break... But I'd Rather Have A Breakthrough, Hills and Valleys and Save. I say 'most' of his best songs because he didn't play Show Me Everything You've Got. He then made a solo encore collectively made up of 'snippets' of songs requested by the fans such as Colors, Never Knew, TV Family and Mean Thoughts And Cheap Shots. During this set he appeared in the middle of the crowd to play an excellent cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' 'Maps'. There didn't appear to be a second of his set in which he wasn't enjoying himself and I could say the same about the crowd. Overall, a very cheerful night it was. 72/100. www.myspace.com/therocketsummer