It was perhaps fitting that the intimate confines of Audio were the venue for Asobi Seksu (Japanese for “playful sex”), who went down an absolute storm on a sweltering Thursday evening.

From start to finish, the US-based quartet gave an appreciative crowd a set full of dirty grooves and devilish intricacy. Sunburnt hordes were left baying for more. Drenched in neon light at the start, the band’s intention was to shock and awe; despite loose labels like noise/dream pop, the band espoused a DIY punk aesthetic with crisp, melodic vocals from Yuki Chikudate, whose fearless performance was a joy to behold.

Her voice (with vocals in both English and Japanese) soared above the wall of noise created by her bandmates, and latest single Trails was particularly impressive.

The ferocious playing of drummer Larry Gorman was too much for the kit at one point, but it gave Chikudate the chance to discuss exploits on Brighton Pier’s ghost train, which prompted some debate and kept the mood high.

The band seemed visibly moved by the love shown by the audience, and after pleas for an encore they returned to blow the hearts and eardrums of the crowd once again.

Asobi Seksu were, quite simply, stunning live.