Our first visit to this very smart venue. Exceedingly friendly staff and a well laid-out club with a nice-sized bar area leading to the main club room.
Eagulls were support which was a bonus to have the opportunity to see this band that has caught the eye of the music press recently. The band has a polish that complements the raw energy of their melodic punk tunes. But most striking is the menacing swagger of lead singer, George Mitchell.
Each time I've seen Parquet Courts the template for their set is similar. This doesn't see the band burst on to the stage tearing into their fast-paced repertoire. Rather they build through a couple of elongated opening songs with a bluesy feel and jangly guitars, which act as a smouldering fuse.
The fourth song tonight sees the powder keg explode as they go into 'Master Of My Craft' triggering a mosh-pit deep into the crowd which stays pretty much active for the remainder of the 19-song set. Their lyric "Mantras of 'Keep Going' that are locked into my thoughts" has never seemed more apt.
The band gallops through numerous hits from their Light Up Gold album including the almost narrative 'Donuts Only'. The excellent guitar breaks in 'Stoned & Starving' curiously sees the rate of crowd-surfing increase. Fantastic fun, very messy indeed!
Recent single 'You've Got Me Wonderin Now' is delivered with aplomb, not surprisingly minus the squeaky recorder accompaniment evident on the record.
A classic gig from an extremely classy band. Just as you think the set will finish because they've done all their good material they throw in two more highlights 'Yonder is Closer to the Heart' and album title track 'Light Up Gold'
More lyrics: 'This thickness is just enough to wade through' which had strong resonance as we exited to Brighton seafront to a gale-force wind.
Si & Sally