With the stage looking like we were in for a night of Top Gear re-runs (the drum kit was labelled Dave) and the venue pretty much filled, the spritely Futureheads came bounding onto the stage, ready for some good old fashioned fun.

I have to say I was sceptical at first that the band had enough pulling power to fill this large venue after four years and a disastrous last tour. But, it seems, I was the only one with any fear - and once again Oxford welcomed Sunderland's finest.

The uncomplicated Northern lads belted out all those songs the crowd wanted, including A to B and Hounds of Love - the latter so good that it feels they should win custody of the track from its writer, Kate Bush.

Frontman Barry Hyde drummed up more rapport with the crowd by mentioning Truck Festival - where they performed a couple of years ago. However, tonight's show had much more energy.

The new songs blended seamlessly with the old, probably blurred by the amount of air-time the new stuff is, quite rightly, receiving.

The crowd sang along to everything, giving more depth to their already richly melodic songs.

And there was even a bit of crowd surfing! Although most of it seemed ill-advised due to the size of the surfers - who on the whole seemed to be sofa surfers, carrying a bit too much weight for the task in hand. Yet the crowd and security coped and, as ever, it added to the entertainment.

All in all, then, it was an excellent night and an example of a tight, well-rehearsed band who will be welcome among the dreaming spires anytime.

10:53am Thursday 6th March 2008

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