It’s easy to forget just how big The Darkness were back in the early noughties, although a quick look around the t-shirts on display tonight quickly reminds you. Last time The Darkness were on the road they were playing multiple nights at Wembley Arena. Tonight’s more modest surroundings should however be a good test of whether they’ve still got it.

The proceedings begin with opening support band Crown Jewel Defence who do a decent job of starting things off. Foxy Shazam are up next and their set of glorious camp fun quickly wins them a few new fans. Front man Eric Sean Nally’s boundless energy sees him forward rolling, doing handstands and all sorts during their short set. If you get a chance, check these guys out as it won’t be long till they're headlining these events.

The main event trumps it all however. Coming out to the riotous, “Black Shuck”, The Darkness quickly remind you just how good a debut album Permission to Land was. Other bands would kill to have a greatest hits set as strong as that selection. Therefore it’s no surprise that when The Darkness move away from it the crowd noticeably quietens. However each time they return to classics like: “Growing On Me”, “Get Your Hands Off My Woman”, and “Love is Only a Feeling”, the crowd come straight back in. Justin Hawkins seems to be back to his best and when he disappears off stage an hour in and reappears in one of his trademark leotards it feels like he never left. Finishing with the lethal combination of “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”, and “Love On The Rocks With No Ice”, Hawkins ended proceedings on a final solo, whilst riding through the crowd on someone’s shoulders to the delight of his fans.

The Darkness are a nostalgia act, there’s no doubt about it. However if they can keep up live shows like this, and release an album even half as good as their first, they can easily retake their former position. For the moment, the crowd of sweaty smiling faces suggests this comeback is rolling on.