“We’re not used to this weather over here,” Cold War Kids frontman Nathan Willett declares as he mops his brow on a balmy Brighton evening. “It was so hot I even went for a swim in the sea.”

Brighton beach may not compare to their native Long Beach, California, but the American indie band clearly feel at home in the UK during this hot spell.

And it shows. Despite the audience struggling to cope with the temperature, Willett bounds around the stage, his soulful voice on sparkling form as the band keep it tight. They have been around since 2004, but they clearly haven’t lost the joy of performing live.

The 90 minute show spans their six albums but weighs heavily on their latest release LA Divine.

Whatever you think of the band, you can’t accuse them of standing still, their early chaotic guitar driven riffs unrecognisable to their more melodic, poppy recent hits.

Still it is the early songs from debut album Robbers and Cowards which get the best response. Hang Me Up to Dry is delivered with intensity, Willett’s voice cracking as he delivers the chorus. Likewise We Used to Vacation, which perhaps gets the best reception of the night.

Songs from the third and fourth albums – Louder than Ever and Miracle Mile – don’t go down as well, despite the band’s best efforts to convince us of their merits.

The new songs however show a return to form with Love Is Mystical and First making the most off Willett’s powerful voice.

“We’ll be back Brighton,” Willett declares as he leaves the stage. Let’s hope they are, but just don’t expect the same weather next time.