Excuse the pun, but it really is a race against time tonight for The Race. Denied a proper sound check due to general lateness, they clamber on stage (there's too many Cooper Temple Clause keyboards piled up in the wings for a direct entrance) and proceed to make it their own in no time at all.

Frontman Dan Buchanan hops and spins all over the place, prompting me to think the dark emblem on his t-shirt is no logo at all, rather sweat from his persistent movement. Behind him (and to the side, in guitarist Jess del Rio's case) the rest of the band produce layer upon layer of industrial strength white noise.

If it wasn't for this sonic barrage, those huge choruses might put them on a par with Keane in places, and early U2 in others. As it is, it's safe to describe their sound as anthemic in the Coldplay sense of the word but with bigger, harder rocking balls.

It's refreshing to see a young band enjoying themselves as much as this, particularly Buchanan who sports a childlike grin as he hammers away eagerly at his keyboard, looking for all the world as though he's not playing any of the right notes (I'm sure he is, though...). As they clamber (or leap – Del Rio again) off stage after the last cacophonous yet sugary centred number, the impression they leave is that the upcoming festival season could well be The Race's time to shine. Don't get left behind.

Photo courtesy of Gary Wolstenholme