BRIGHTR aka Laurie Cottingham is an absolute dude. Not just a professional, or a tour manager, or a full out musical geek, but a genuinely nice guy you want to have a beer and a talk through about all the industry peculiarities.
This sets the tone for a genuine reception, to a genuine performance. We want to see him play, we want to hear his stories, and we want to know his heart ache.
He's not one to shy away from difficult personal experience, and explained his songs to the audience. He does this in the UK, he will do this abroad, which is why BRIGHTR is being well received ever where he goes.
Songs about old friend passing away, which turned out to be mutual friends, who had played our town before. Songs about his daughter and songs about personality dysfunctions all add up to a truly honest gig.
They say "Nice guys finish last", but I suspect that experience has taught Laurie that that isn't necessarily true.