Arriving in the tranquil town of Bexhill on a rather rainy afternoon all seemed peaceful, however it did not seem as if the town was soon to be descended upon by hordes of fans for the only UK show this year, aside from their Field Day appearance, by San Francisco's Thee Oh Sees.
When discussing train times with the station guard and how best to reach the De La Warr Pavillion for tonight's show, the guard offered a bewildered response at the band playing, saying: "Who are they? Never heard of them!"
The poor organisers had a hard tie trying to re-arrange the show after a let down from the previously booked Brighton venue they were due to play at initially. As a result of this mishap, coaches were laid on for most of the fans arriving from Brighton.
Support band Riddles play the most energetic and psychedelic set with a stage performance to match. It's certainly a good way to get the crowd warmed up in preparation for the main event.
Thee Oh Sees kick their set off with songs like 'Lupine Dominus' to long guitar riffs that sound vaguely reminiscent of fellow psych band, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. 'Carrion Crawler' reeks of 70s style rock and roll - a theme that continues on 'Contraption/Soul Desert' and 'Tidal Wave' too. It's possible one might confuse tonight with Woodstock with this style of music and atmosphere in mind.
The two drummers in tandem and the whirling guitars provide for an excellent stage set up and soon the audience erupts into a crowd surfing frenzy. The De La War Pavillion becomes a teenage sweat box of bodies with beer flying over one's head and being squashed against the safety barriers on occasion; security certainly had a hard time keeping the crowd in check.
You know you've had a good night when you're limping home, all black and blue and bruised with the sound still ringing in your ears at the end of the night.
Words and photos Mike Hundertmark
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