It all began in Texas, two years ago, when indie band Grandaddy needed a support act at three weeks' notice.

Ex-Tripping Daisy frontman Tim DeLaughter decided to take up the challenge but there was one problem -he didn't have a band.

In such circumstances, most people would settle for a simple guitar, bass and drums line-up. But the band formed by DeLaugthter featured brass, strings, kettle drums, theramin and a ten-person choir.

This gives the group, called the Polyphonic Spree, a grand total of 24 members.

As if that was not enough, DeLaughter then decided to kit them all out in matching white cassocks.

After the support slot with Grandaddy, the Spree played throughout Texas - not an easy feat when a road tour requires more than a dozen full-sized vans.

But their persistence paid off this year when they were booked for David Bowie's Meltdown festival in London - their first gig outside Texas.

The show was a great success and brought the group to international attention.

They went on to play a number of the summer festivals, including the Carling Weekends in Reading and Leeds.

Following the release of their debut album, The Beginning Stages Of . . ., in September, the group are now embarking on an eight-date tour of Britain.

Those that catch them in Brighton are in for a memorable night.

Apart from the visual spectacle of 24 white-robed musicians on stage, there is the music itself.

With so many musicians, the sound is big and multi-layered. The vocal harmonies have drawn comparisons to The Beach Boys, The Flaming Lips, Super Furry Animals and Spiritualised.

Essentiall, they make eccentric, gospel-tinged, catchy pop records, with lyrics of almost child-like simplicity. "Hey, it's the sun and it makes me shine" is a typical example.

It would be easy to be cynical about such happy-clappy lines and there is something slightly unnerving about the constant euphoria they express on the album.

Live, however, it is different. Seeing such a life-affirming spectacle in the flesh - and involving so many people - it is difficult to be unmoved.

Get down to Concorde 2 and see the self-proclaimed "choral symphonic pop band" do their thing. Whatever you make of it, it's certain to be an experience you won't forget.

Call 01273 772770.