For bands like Finch, nostalgia can be both a blessing and a curse.

Two albums and two much-trumpeted reunions on from the release of What It Is To Burn, the Californian outfit are still trading on their debut; even after surpassing it in ambition and craft.

They arrived in Brighton with much to prove, playing an uncharacteristically intimate show at The Haunt.

Propelled by vocalist Nate Barcalow, the alt-rock quintet wasted no time in charging down memory lane, with New Beginnings first out of the barrel.

Certainly, their early output drew the strongest response from a rather subdued audience. Yet the band themselves seemed more comfortable with songs from last year’s Back To Oblivion, and the oft-overlooked second album, Say Hello To Sunshine.

At times they appeared to be going through the motions, delivering what was expected and little more.

Either way, they showed up when it really counted. Stay With Me and Letters To You helped soundtrack the teenage travails of many, and were delivered with enough passion to convince.

Of course, they closed with the song that’s come to define them. What It Is To Burn remains an emotionally-charged anthem, and it capped the evening in rousing style.

Three stars