“We’re all gonna die, what’s the point in life?” sings bass-playing lead singer Jess Eastwood of Coach Party. This philosophical indie anthem has the crowd singing along at the top of their voices, and it’s only the second song of the band’s set.

The Isle of Wight four-piece have had a great year so far, getting rave reviews of their recently released album ‘Killjoy’, supporting Queens Of The Stone Age on their summer UK tour and playing Glastonbury for the first time. Tonight’s sold-out gig at Patterns is the last night of their current UK tour, after which the band is heading into Europe and onwards to the USA.

Support comes from Swedish indie darlings Girl Scout, who could easily become your new favourite band with their singalong indie-pop bangers. Lead singer, Emma Jansson, seems to be in a reflective mood as it’s the last night of the tour with Coach Party. We’re really impressed by their short set and ‘Do You Remember Sally Moore?’, their final song, sounds great live. Girl Scout are definitely a band to look out for next time they play in Brighton.

Also on the bill tonight are Panda Swim, another Isle of Wight band and friends of Coach Party. Their 90s-inspired grunge pop, mixing Pixies vibes with a Green Day lyrical style, is not particularly original but the packed crowd enjoys their short set.

Coach Party, however, are an absolute joy from start to finish. The band barely stops for breath as they race through 17 songs in little more than hour. Their songs range from Alvvays-style indie dream pop through to fast-paced punk. Singer Jess uses a double mic set-up, one of the mics giving her vocals obscene levels of distortion during some of the numbers.

Mid-set, the band mascot makes an appearance: Jeph is a nearly life-size human skeleton named after the band’s original moniker. It crowdsurfs around the room several times before ending up back on stage, the skull detached from the rest of the body. The band joke that they didn’t want the skeleton back anyway as they were sick of its company.

Towards the climax of the set the band seem a little emotional and reflective; it’s the last date of the tour so perhaps a little reflection is expected. ‘Parasite’, the final song of the night, becomes a riot of noise and distortion and the band are joined on stage by their two support acts. It’s a great end to the gig.

Patterns, Friday 14th October 2023
Words by Richard Warren
Photos by Jason Warner