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Drafted in as a last-minute replacement for Luke McQueen, Aussie metaller Jackson Voorhaar wore his rock credentials with pride. Voorhaar traversed the funny side of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, from Rammstein’s sex toy album gimmick to a young Norwegian saving himself from a wolf pack by scaring them off with Megadeth music. Though the odd chuckle was raised, and a late dabble with musical comedy via an adapted Guitar Hero guitar welcome, unfortunately, the blunt fact was that the material just wasn’t that funny. Kudos to the likeable, enthusiastic Voorhaar for stepping up and giving his all, but on this night, it wasn’t quite enough.

Caroline Of Brunswick, 20 July
Rating:
Nick Aldwinckle

Shakespeare can be terribly hammy. It can give the assumption that The Bard is inaccessible, something that needs to be studied to be truly enjoyed and understood. This open-air production proved that is RUBBISH!!! ‘The Tempest’ begins in a storm and perhaps Mother Nature is a fan because she provided an almighty downpour to kick things off. Mercifully the rain subsided, umbrellas went down and spirits (on stage metaphorically by Prospero and Ariel, and literally in the audience) were raised. The cast were strong, even with the occasionally fluffed line. But this did not detract from a most enjoyable, accessible and professional production.

Highdown Gardens, Worthing, 19 July
Rating:
Lee Stevens

This New York-based punk rock/garage pop band trio performed a fiery set, skipping between hard rocking songs with slower more melodic ones comfortably and confidently. All three women played very well, creating a rich thick sound that was complemented by lovely Neil Young-esque one string guitar solos from frontwoman Cassie. The crowd was fairly thin however and had a frustratingly typical English sense of inertia that was brought into stark contrast by some spirited and vocal “random Portuguese girls”. It was an incredibly fun and uplifting gig though, and hopefully they will draw a more lively crowd next time.

Coalition, 17 July
Rating:
Joe Fuller

The roof was raised and the downstairs seating thrown out for this gig. Okay, the raising of the roof wasn’t literal, but the cleared floor turned this into one hell of a party. When I think ‘Irish boy band’ the usual suspects come to mind: the pop songs of Boyzone, the souring ballads of Westlife… The Script, meanwhile, are in a league of their own: they aren’t a ‘boy band’, but a band who just happen to all be boys (although men is more accurate). They write their own music, sing, and play their own instruments – which isn’t clear when you hear the tracks on the radio (the same two tracks at that). Live, these guys were amazing; ‘raised the roof’ puts it mildly.

Irish rapper Maverick Sabre warmed up the crowd with Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’. The Script then whipped the crowd into a frenzy; the energy of lead singer/keyboardist Danny was infectious (I haven’t seen such talent or energy on stage since Gerard of US alternative rock group My Chemical Romance circa 2007).

This was the last night of their current tour, and they showed no signs of stopping. Taking us through from their debut ‘We Cry’ to ‘Breakeven’ and ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’, there was excitement and emotion in every track. A long, standing ovation (balconies included) rounded off a night that saw this talented group finish their tour in style.

Brighton Centre, 17 July
Rating:
Zara Baker