Devendra Banhart has heard about Brighton. "I heard it's a beach town," he says, "and a gay town. Groovy! Don't get me wrong, I don't dip my finger in that particular cake, but I admire the decoration. I love the vibe."

This is Devendra. Upbeat, poetic, gems in every phrase. Currently touring his fourth album Cripple Crow with the Hairy Fairy band, this far out, folk/hippie musician and artist (his artwork decorates his album covers) first came into view early last year when he appeared on Later with Jools Holland. Bearded, barefoot and clad in a poncho, the 24 year-old sat cross-legged with his guitar on a candle-lit carpet and enchanted listeners with his mysterious acoustic alchemy. The response was overwhelming - and Devendra is confident that Cripple Crow will also please.

"The new album has chicken dance potential for sure," he says. Born in 1981 in Texas and christened by an Indian mystic, Devendra spent his childhood in Venezuela and his teenage years in California. He describes himself as New Age, both musically and spiritually, and has a fascination for all things Native American.

"Love is my religion," he says. "My parents own a crystal shop, my sister's name is Dolphin." Enough said. But how does this mystic lifestyle sit with the commercial side of music? "Sure, I enjoy being in a pow wow, a sweat lodge or eating peyote far more than hanging out with Jools Holland," he laughs.

"I'm not gonna lie to you. But I did have a fantastic time flirting with Alicia Keys!"

Devendra's sound is raw and feral but meticulously well-honed. His voice is a quivering high-tension wire which sounds like it could have been recorded in the Thirties. Lyrically, he weaves in and out of strange, elemental worlds inhabited by mythical creatures that transport the listener elsewhere, hypnotised by warm, circular Pacific Island-like rhythms. When asked about his influences, Devendra cites the Brazilian "jungle poet musician"

Caetano Veloso, Venezuelan artist Simon Diaz and underexposed folk singer Karen Dalton. But the list is all-encompassing.

"I'm inspired by all the people I meet, listening to music, reading books, looking out my window, looking in my window," he says. Devendra believes creativity is something that exists outside himself. "It's an entity, like an octopus of laser energy. It's up to us to unveil it - although not too much, or it might evaporate."

Before you dismiss the man and his music as far too psychedelic, just remember: - groovy is the word. "Bring your chicken dancing shoes," he laughs.

Starts 8pm, tickets cost £12. Call 01273 693311.