Across the country on Wednesday night, music charity Nordoff Robbins hosted a series of shows to raise money for their organisation. Nordoff Robbins helps change lives through music, and all the funding they receive is vital to allow them to continue their fine work.

Here in Brighton two arena headliners took to intimate venues and tore their respective buildings down.

Jamie Walker and Jessica Marshall-McHattie were there as part of the mayhem.

Enter Shikari

Concorde 2, Brighton, Wednesday, September 26

THE last time Enter Shikari played Brighton they were headlining down the road at the Centre, a venue ten times the size of the one they take to the stage in tonight.

As expected, the gig is sold out and 600 people are crammed into the Concorde to check out a band who have become famous for their electro-rock stylings.

Dance music fans and rock music fans rarely see eye to eye when it comes to the sounds that come out of their headphones, but that line is straddled by Enter Shikari.

As a reference, over the course of the night I see band shirts with the likes of Iron Maiden, A Day To Remember and even Run DMC on them.

The one thing that fans of both genres have in common is they like to move, and Shikari offer movement in abundance.

From the opening beats of The Sights this crowd is more than into the show.

Juggernauts sounds absolutely massive in this tiny venue and a plethora of hits make sure that the mosh pit is swinging while further back dancing takes full flow.

Crowd-surfers are at a premium, with one spectator slightly failing to stand on the hands of the crowd...still you have to commend the effort.

You also have to give the audience credit for their continual movement despite the immense heat in the room.

Shows like this are special, and you can see spectators truly realise this is a show that will not soon be forgotten.

As the crowd let go their innervisions and get lost in the moment you can see that Rou Reynolds and co find something equally magical in getting back to performing in venues that housed them when they were just a blip of the radar of British rock music.

Of course this is all for a good cause, and a huge roar goes up as the band praise Nordoff Robbins and the work they do, changing lives through music.

Jamie Walker

All Saints

Komedia, Brighton, Wednesday, September 26

While Shikari were tearing the roof off the Concorde, across the city a completely different but no more epic show was taking place...

Shockingly, it’s been more than 20 years since Shaznay, Mel, Nat and Nic burst onto Top of the Pops with their catchy first hit, I Know Where It’s At.

Followed swiftly by Never Ever, Under The Bridge/Lady Marmalade and Bootie Call, the four-strong girl squad were responsible for many of the late 90s most memorable singalongs, and were a relatable cornerstone of the Girl Power movement.

After holding strong with second studio album Saints and Sinners, All Saints took a five-year hiatus before regrouping and releasing sporadically, with fifth studio album Testament released this summer.

Though they have plenty of new material to call on, it’s clear that most of the audience, largely in their late twenties and thirties, were fans from the beginning.

All Saints were known for their streetwise, laid-back style, and their onstage personas retain the same casual charm.

Though the crop tops and combats of yesteryear are no longer present, there are leopard-print trousers, an Adidas top and plaited hair present to maintain the aesthetic.

This show sold out rapidly, and the excitement in Komedia’s basement room reached fever pitch before the band reached the stage.

From the outset, it’s clear the vocals will need to be cranked to the maximum to be heard above the fans’ devoted recitals, but the volume doesn’t detract from the impressive harmonies and sheer vocal talent.

Unlike other girl bands that rely on one talented member, All Saints distribute the lyrics evenly, and are equally in sync with their coordinated dance moves.

What could have been cheesy manages to remain cool, fun, and friendly. As the band run through hit after hit, including a smooth transition from Under The Bridge to Mary Jane Girls’ All Night Long, they maintain an approachable, friendly manner, interacting with fans in the intimate venue.

Twenty years on, All Saints will still leave you wanting to be their mate.

Jessica Marshall-McHattie