Q: What do you get if you cross an internationally renowned rock band, 500 excitable fans, a balmy Brighton evening and a venue the size of a shoebox?

A: A very joyous occasion, and a LOT of sweat.

Bloc Party brought their well-oiled machine to Brighton last Thursday to perform a one-off intimate gig for lucky members of the 'Marshals' fanclub. They were ably supported by Lo-Fi Culture Scene, a group of 13-year-olds who looked like The Strokes after being zapped by that crazy laser gun in 'Honey, I Shrunk The Kids'. Those expecting some kind of kindergarten-indie were soon proved wrong though - the band's youthful blend of powerpop and wonky US indie-rock was crammed with more energy and hooks than many bands twice their age can manage. LFCS are already being nurtured by Bloc Party's manager, so their future looks brighter than the illuminations on nearby Brighton Pier.

The warmed-up crowd greeted Bloc Party like homecoming heroes. Bloc's performance was near-flawless...the songs having been honed to perfection after a year of constant touring. They played with fire in their bellies, enjoying the rare opportunity to view every single person in the room (thanks in no small part to the new anti-smoking legislation which eliminates the traditional smoky haze). 'Waiting For The 7.18' was one of the set highlights, with the soaring "Let's drive to Brighton on the weekend" outro taking on a special significance in the eponymous seaside resort. This song was segued into a euphoric 'Banquet' before a chilling 'Where Is Home?' was introduced by Kele from underneath his towel.

However, despite the excellent performance, a handful of fans left the gig feeling disappointed by the lack of rare tracks and b-sides. Apart from the stunning first UK airing of 'The Once and Future King' and the welcome resurrection of 'Price of Gasoline', the setlist was edging towards the mundane...no old tracks such as 'The Marshals Are Dead' or 'Little Thoughts' and no classic b-sides either (fans constantly bawled "Skeleton!!" but to no avail). No-one could accuse the band of playing below their best, but any hardcore Blocheads expecting a once-in-a-lifetime rarity-fest were left a touch disenchanted. Still, most fans went home happy and, judging by Kele's perma-grin, the band enjoyed going back to their "toilet circuit" roots before they step up to the UK arenas in December.