On a bitterly cold February night I find myself at one of Manchester's oldest and most iconic music venues waiting with great anticipation to see one of the most promising British acts of last decade and judging from the crowd here tonight, a near sell-out, it would seem I am not the only person to feel this way. The Sunshine Underground are part of the collective of brilliant rock'n'roll bands to explode out of the Leeds music scene during the mid to late 00's, a group which included bands such as The Music, The Kaiser Cheifs and The Pigeon Detectives to name a few and they are here tonight to showcase their brilliant back catalogue as well as introducing material from their forthcoming second album.

The band take to the stage and greet the Manchester crowd with the anticipation amongst the gig-goers is obvious to see. As the band play one of thier biggest hits, 'Commercial Breakdown', it is clear to see that this is a band that loves to play just as much as thier fans love to listen,even more so after the band announce that 'even though everyone says it, Manchester really is the best place to play'

For anyone who doesn't know this band it is worth noting that they are not your standard rock'n'roll group. This is a band will make you want to get up and dance more than The Jam or Oasis ever would and they transfer their sound into the live arena almost flawlessly. After some new tracks including new single 'We've Always Been Your Friends' the band play a brilliant version of one of my personal favorites 'Borders', a song which really emphasizes Craig Wellington's superb vocal skills.

The Sunshine Underground are very much a no frills band, no costumes, no pyro, no stage sets, they just turn up and play, which is by no means a criticism as this is a band who definitley know how to and the varying ages of the crowd hear tonight shows what a wide range generations their music appeals to.  

After leaving the stage and taking a very short break the band return for an en core and finally conclude the night with their biggest hit, 'Put You In Your Place' which receives a rapturous ovation from the extremely appreciative Manchester crowd.

The Sunshine Underground have proven here that they are a band set for,and certainly deserve, success in 2010 and beyond. This has most definitely been a gig worth seeing and although I go home rather wet, as I have been struck two or three times with half drank pints throughout the night, I go home more than happy.