Such is the frenzy that McFly create amongst their fans; they were queuing to get into the venue long before the venue doors opened. Before they could actually see and hear the band there was another band to appear before they got to see their idols.

The Struts maybe Gary Barlow’s new protégées but that is where any connection with Take That ends. The lead singer moves around the stage like Mick Jagger and has the mannerisms of Freddie Mercury. He performed like his life depended upon it and gave the impression that he was playing a stadium sized venue. With the confidence and charisma of a more established act this is a band to watch out for. It is fine having all this confidence but the band actually does have the songs to back it up. Very impressive.

In pop’s rulebook McFly should have had their 3 years of pop stardom and probably have gone off the radar by now but McFly are still here 8 years on and to be honest they are a vastly under-rated act. Before the band arrive on stage the PA blasts out classic tracks from Whitesnake, Boston and T Rex, which probably shows where the band draw their influences from. 4 characters appear on stage dressed up in Teddy Bear outfits and one dressed as Ballerina then launch into the YMCA dance routine as the PA belts out the Village People track. A sea of arms around the venue all join in.

War sirens reverberate around the Apollo, Winston Churchill’s voice and picture appear on the screen behind the stage and the screams grow louder than any wartime Spitfire’s engine noise.  The band appears on stage and the PA cranks up to rock style volume. Hearing all their tracks together you realise that you know most of the songs and that the band are a cracking pop/rock outfit.  One for the Radio, Lies and Obviously are songs that will still be remembered in ten years time and deserve to be heard outside their fan base.

Some new songs from the band’s forthcoming sixth album, were played with Red being the standout track - a suspended microphone drops from the lighting rig as Danny Jones adopts a rock style pose throughout with the hook of the track being as strong as their loyal following.

A cover of Queen’s hit Don’t Stop Me Now allows the band to show more of their influences with Tom Fletcher’s’ piano playing skills coming to the fore. Two backing singers and a keyboard player also added to the groups sound throughout the gig.

The band may have seen acts come and go throughout their success but McFly are still here, still developing and still delivering the goods. On tonight’s evidence there is no reason why they cannot be around in 10 or even 20 years time such is their talent and musicianship.

An unexpected surprise and a total triumph.