THEIR exciting sound ensures they'll soon be the headliners themselves, and the early packed crowd at the O2 Academy proved British Sea Power are already very popular. And then the Manics took the stage.

A perky “hello Bournemouth” from James Dean Bradfield got the night off to a typically upbeat start, the gathered masses keen to enjoy their favourite band in a great atmosphere.

Starting off with the hugely apt You Love Us got the crowd's fingers pointing, and those hands didn't spend too much time at their sides thereafter.

Following a chronology, almost a critique of their albums, a few lesser known hits were spiced up with beauties like Motorcycle Emptiness and their latest release (It's Not War), which went down very well.

As usual, gone-but-not-forgotten Richey Edwards got a poignant mention at Peeled Apples, which was followed by a gorgeous Roses in the Hospital. Bouncy as ever, Bradfield wasn't the only band member on top form, with some beautiful trumpet work from Sean Moore. After a couple of big hits, much appreciated, the venue was complimented as “the prettiest we've played in”. Perhaps grateful for the comment, we then joined in with a superb You Stole the Sun From My Heart acoustic – and as a crowd, we did ourselves proud! The epic Design For Life was a fitting finale to a fantastic gig.

No wonder those boys are still going strong.