Here we are for the first monthly leg of the Brainwash circuit tour of England’s northwest. Kicking off proceedings are Huddersfield’s Serotonin who are apparently unsigned and play impressive indie rock, potentially for the masses. Their lengthy set would certainly benefit from a bit of fat trimming but their moments were of true excellence, sounding like a less artsy version of Franz Ferdinand.

65*daysofstatic, with their poor grammar and general anti-convention should have blown the low ceiling off the Bier Keller tonight but due to a mangled sound system it was not to be. Pummelling drum & bass beats through their aural breeze block of sound but the Sheffield post-rockers struggled to find the conviction that they often possess. It is nights like this that they rue the omission of vocals.

Having a chart sensation headlining is always a bonus and the quality and assurance shows through a vigorously performed set. The induction of former Palehorse guitarist, Tom Fowler, has obviously been a massive success as Million Dead sound sharper and cleaner than ever. The comfort which the transition has afforded the band is clear as frontman Frank Turner jumps and snarls around his stage like a monkey in a rubbish cage, yelping and screaming his emo/hardcore-ness frequently and fervently.

Million Dead are a band that means something to someone about everything. This second album should be the key to their eternal success. One must hope.