BRIGHTON has a thriving music scene, and has done for a number of years.

With a host of shows to see every night of the week and a plethora of bands to choose from, it takes a whole lot of talent to stand out in such a saturated market. Not that any of us are complaining about that.

Tom Odell is one such act.

The Chichester-born singer/songwriter caught the music bug from an early age, but it was only when he attended the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) in Brighton that his craft was really honed.

Now, in 2018, Tom is preparing for the release of his new album, Jubilee Road, and a mammoth UK tour, which includes a date at the historic Brighton Dome.

Having since moved to London, Tom says it was the year-and-a-half he spent in Brighton that helped him be the musician he has become.

“It was a kind environment to start in. Not too kind that they’d let anyone on stage, but as a new artist you need a bit of that,” he says.

“When I was living there you could do a gig or open mic every night of the week and that’s really special.

“I learned so much when I was living there, I learned how to perform when I was living in Brighton.

Tom believes that it is the people and the surroundings that make Brighton such a creative hub. “I think Brighton is really quite unique and special, it’s not like a lot of other towns and cities I’ve been to, and I’ve been to a lot.

“There’s a real appetite for new music down in Brighton.

“There are a few other places in the world that are like that, but London isn’t like that.”

Tom and I are chatting just a week or so removed from the release of Jubilee Road, his third studio album.

“It’s inspired by a road I lived on in London, by the lives of the neighbours,” Tom says when asked about the reason for the name of the record.

As we discuss the music behind the name, Tom adds that he wants the album to tell a story, something that may be becoming a lost art in music writing.

“Today, when the album is probably not quite as relevant of an art form as it was, or not the centre of everyone’s attention, it’s even more important to have a reason to make one.

“There’s a type of music that’s listening to your favourite songs, but then I think people like artists and like to be told a story. An album is like a book and a song is just a chapter, so you really want the whole story and the album is the best way to give it to them.

The writing process for the album, even by Tom’s admission, was kept relatively simplistic.

Writing most of it in the living room of his East London home, he said that the idea of making the record in minimal surroundings has given it the sound he was after.

“I wrote all the songs in the same living room, on the same piano, and there’s very few people involved in the making of the album, just my band and the producers.

“I hope, like with my favourite albums, you get a sense of the time and place when you listen to it.”

Of course, as with any album release, a tour isn’t far off – in fact the tour arrives in Brighton the day after the record comes out.

Having grown his music abilities in the city, Tom considers the date quite a homecoming.

“I’m thrilled to come back and play,” he says.

“I’ll have all my family there, I’ll be way more nervous when I know they’re there.

In case you haven’t seen there has been a change of venue for the show.

Instead of being at the Brighton Centre, the show will now take place at the Dome.

The date of the show has also been changed to October 27.

A spokesman for Tom said: “Due to some previously unforeseen scheduling conflicts around the release of Tom’s new album Jubilee Road, we unfortunately need to reschedule the upcoming Tom Odell date from Thursday, October 25 to Saturday, October 27.”

Tom says he hopes the fans going to the show will understand and promises a fantastic night of entertainment.

The switch also gives the singer the chance to live a dream he’s had since he moved to Brighton.

“I hope people don’t mind the show being moved, but I’ve always wanted to play the Dome so I’m very excited.

“I saw lots of gigs at the Dome when I was living there, I can’t wait to go back. I’ve missed out on playing it.

“I’d say I’m relatively modest but I’m very proud of the show.

“I think people will be surprised by the show we’ve made, I’m so proud of what we all do on stage.

“I hope you will love it.”

While Chichester is just down the road, Tom is sure to receive a hero’s welcome when he takes to the stage in Brighton.

As an export of the city, doing the county proud, Tom is proving why Brighton is known for producing some fantastic musicians.