The Surrey-born songwriter and producer heads to the seafront for a joyous performance to a sold-out crowd. If only it lasted longer.

By Findlay Anderson

Over the past 12 months, Rex Orange County (formerly Alex O’Connor) has had somewhat of a whirlwind year; performing on-stage with the likes of Frank Ocean and Skepta, to working with Tyler, The Creator on his excellent record Flower Boy, to releasing a record in his own right which was just as brilliant – the simplistic splendour of Apricot Princess.

It was the collaboration with Tyler that served as a major catalyst for the 19 year-old. Acting as a navigator for the rapper to drift from his notorious intensity to something more soulful and smooth, ROC’s blueprint is all over Flower Boy – whether intentional or not.

Since the album was released, Rex Orange County’s fanbase has grown exponentially. A fully sold-out UK tour (all dates sold out four months in advance) is highlighted with a major date at London’s KOKO – a 1,500-capacity club that recently has hosted the likes of Daniel Caesar, Jhené Aiko and Nightmares on Wax.

Before that big night, however, O’Connor finds himself in front of an adoring packed crowd in the awkward Brighton venue Patterns. With some fans lining the streets hours before the doors open on a typically wet Monday night, an unavoidable buzz fills the air as the mostly 16 year-old fans surge their way to the front of the venue to catch a glimpse of the rising star.

With no support act, Rex Orange County arrives on stage just before 9:15pm, as he and his band worms their way through the crowd and onto the stage. Opening with the first two tracks off Apricot Princess, it does not take long for his respondent fans to scream the lyrics back at him. Second song Television/So Far So Good initiates jumping from large portions of the young crowd.

Heavily leaning on newer material, ROC plays five cuts from his latest record including Sycamore Girl which features singer (and girlfriend) Thea Morgan Murrell. When she performs with the band, you cannot help but feel that this is the most wholesome line-up; her powerful yet soothing vocal enhances the jazzy cuts and adds some diversity to the otherwise fully male on-stage presence.

As well as singles like the Frank Ocean-esque Edition and the summery Loving Is Easy, it is the 2017 singles that elicit the biggest response. Best Friend is hurled back-and-forth between the band and the crowd like a furious tennis match. It is also an impossibly lovable sight seeing 250 sixteen year-olds dancing and jumping to a horn section spiralling out of control.

Apart from a brief lapse where Alex O’Connor tells a fan that he won’t follow him on SoundCloud as he holds up a shirt with his URL, the venue has been converted into a safe space full of love and warmth; the breezy songwriting and his on-stage presence is a great combination. O’Connor repeatedly makes asides to the audience (“for this song, I am standing over here”, he jokes as he wanders over the stage switching instruments).

The biggest failure is just how short the gig lasts. Despite releasing two albums and five major singles in the past three years, Rex Orange County’s set only lasts just over forty minutes. With no encore, you cannot help but wonder whether he could have performed at least a couple more songs – no performance of Sunflower or Never Enough tonight).

The entire venue is dancing. The two merch sellers often sing lyrics to each other while boogying in the corner. Two drunk women divert from the pack and find space in the back to dance. Even two septuagenarians find themselves tapping their feet.

Catching Rex Orange County in a venue as small as this will be a rarity in years to come and the Brighton audience know it. The feverish hype is unmissable and the crowd seemingly loves every second of it.

6/10