Confidence Man Ignites Brighton with a Fresh Spin on Live Music
Ever been to a gig that feels half rave, half traditional concert? That’s how it went down when Confidence Man stormed Brighton’s Chalk venue on October 16, 2024. With the crowd restless and ready, opener Vanity Fairy first set the mood with a quirky, synth-laden performance. But the real buzz started when the headliners began their set—not with a wild entrance, but with an intriguing twist.
The first beats pulsed out as carefully crafted, pre-recorded tracks—think of a DJ set, but with the unmistakable stamp of Confidence Man’s playful pop production. But this wasn’t just pressing play on old songs. The band, known for their off-the-wall live energy, layered live mixing over polished studio sounds, making old favorites and new songs alike feel fresh and unpredictable. It’s a format they've dabbled in before, but this time, the hybrid show leaned even harder into blending slick electronic perfection with on-the-fly creativity.
New Tracks Tease an Upcoming Album, Crowd Dances Into the Night
Out of the ten tracks that powered through the night, five were brand new—plucked straight from their album ‘3AM (LA LA LA)’, which was set to drop just two days later. It’s a gutsy move, rolling out unheard tracks to a sea of superfans, but the gamble paid off. By the third song, anticipation turned into wild energy; the Chalk floor became a sweat-soaked dance party, even though most there hadn’t heard half the setlist before.
Then came a twist—not just album teasers, but also a banging rave track pulled from their ‘fabric presents Confidence Man’ mix. “Break It Down (On The Bassline)” shook the speakers, showing the group can spike club euphoria into their live shows just as easily as in the studio.
Partway through, lead vocalists Janet Planet and Sugar Bones arrived with a burst of theatrical sparkle, ratcheting up the hype. They didn’t just sing—they performed, owning the space with goofy dance moves and genuine connection with the front row. The night moved from polished pop flamboyance to intimate club chaos in seconds, giving everyone in the room the best of both worlds.
The hybrid format worked because it didn’t try to hide studio magic or the excitement of live unpredictability. Fans came in for a party; they got the power and polish of an album launch, the sweaty, wild feeling of a club night, and the unpredictable charm of a live band that doesn’t do anything by halves. As fans filtered out with new hooks stuck in their heads, one thing was clear—Confidence Man’s bold blend might just be the future for pop gigs.
