Young Knives Live

ASHBY-de-la-Zouch was the town where local band The Young Knives first plyed their trade – and a secret homecoming gig was held at the Venture Theatre on May 6.

The three-piece band, made up of Belton brothers Henry Dartnall and Thomas "The House Of Lords" Dartnall alongside Ashby's Oliver Askew, admitted onstage: "We never thought we would do this."

However after a riotous set the band, who have just released their second album Superabundance to critical acclaim, were making suggestions that it become a regular slot – if the venue invested in air conditioning "for the fat boys on stage".

The opening salvo of the night, organised by Gaymers cider for a select crowd of competition winners who had travelled to Ashby, press, TV and the band's family and friends, was the blistering She's Attracted To.

And with the splendid Counters and recent single Terra Firma following on, the small theatre was shaking as the crowd began to move.

Also standing out from the Young Knives' songbook of quirky, angular rock were Fit 4 U, the thumping Up All Night and the always-exceptional Weekends And Bleakdays.

The band also excelled with their new single Turn Tail – in the shops now, kids – where they were joined onstage by four "string people" for a passionate rendition of the song.

"Grim" Loughborough Suicide got an outing, before the sweaty set concluded with the anthemic The Decision.

The Young Knives may not be back to their old haunt for a while – on this form stadiums and TV studios may will be the next step.