After being demolished by Insomnia's ‘A Release From’ loud epic, we’re ready to re-rock by the time Shard take the Town Hall stage. Shard come on to their own backing tape, dressed like Rachel Stamp’s little brothers and sister (i.e. all dressed like little sisters). They’re the kind of guys who wear two belts - and neither of them go through the hoops. Using belts to hold up your trousers? That’s yesterday’s look! Belts with a purpose are out. But baggy pants are still in…

But enough of the image! The music's of a top standard, mixing influence from sleazy glam, paranoid Goth and crunch-metal, and delivered with a sense of performance that belies their moody lyrics. Eschewing teenage angst in-between songs in favour of throwing sweets into the rampant crowd, they know how to please a wide audience and that's through being true to their own ideas. I think every band member had a turn on the mic – John’s snarl of ‘Terminal’ especially memorable, and the duet between Charlie and drummer Jon to an electronic backing – a visual sign of their refusal to pigeonhole. They encore with a superbly melodramatic chorus that cries, “Mother, won’t you tell me you love me?” Nuff said.