As the former Beta Band frontman pointed out midset, the purpose of this tour was to promote the new stuff.

But although his latest album Boys Outside is Steve Mason’s best solo work since his former band split in 2004, it was clear from the audience’s reaction to his opening solo acoustic guitar readings of Beta Band classics Simple and Dr Baker that it was this incarnation of his career they had come to hear.

Sadly for them the rest of the set revolved around his new album.

The new songs retained many of the characteristics that made the Beta Band a much-loved project.

Lost And Found and The Letter both proved he was still capable of building on a nagging groove and putting together a swooping chorus that can lift a room.

Tied together by Mason’s distinctive vocal style, the songs are his most personal yet, with the combination of guitar, bass, drums and samples stripped back to give his lyrics centre stage.

What was missing from the new songs was the musical eclecticism found in his other projects, which previously saw him draw on everything from grime to folk.

This smattering of genres was provided in the live set through three dips into Mason’s King Biscuit Time back catalogue, with the final encore being a room- shaking bass heavy I Walk The Earth.

Mention must got to The Robot Heart who, despite their opening set being cut short, proved they are a Brighton band to watch with a selection of emotive, dreamy pop songs.