Brighton Dome’s Spectrum nights put on a monthly collection of new music and are always good value and pretty interesting. Last night we had five bands for five pounds at the Dome Studio Theatre.

Kicking off proceedings were the excellent indie tunesmiths Prince Vaseline, playing mostly new songs with their usual dynamic sparkling energy. The lighting by the innerstrings crew was spectacular too.

Whilst the next band were setting up, we got to enjoy a quieter acoustic set from Captain Lovelace downstairs in the front bar. We were quite charmed by Beattie Wood’s witty gentle songs.

Back upstairs for the pop sounds of Fierce Friend, whose name belies a familiar late-70s singer-songwriter vibe from man-around-town Alan Grice and a band that features some fine players from an array of well-known local acts. There’s quality songwriting and playing here, and we look forward to the album that’s apparently in the making.

Downstairs in the bar, the Wailing Gales were spinning some energetic folk-rock tales. A band of six and occasionally seven players, including violin, saxophone and ukelele they played an enjoyable set with gusto.

Finally, upstairs again for the 70s yacht rock pop of headliners Fragile Creatures. They have an album due for imminent release, and lead-singer Adam Kidd was even able to brandish a physical copy. Opening track ‘Stowaways’ has already been played on BBC Radio 6 and garnered a lot of Soundcloud listens.

Words and photographs by Jon Southcoasting