I've unfortunately only got three words to describe The Crimea's performance at Newcastle University, and they're all the same - brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Last time I caught them was in a room with 50 people at best, and it seemed a little awkward. With a couple of decent hits behind them, the place was packed out as people were desperate to see them before they become huge. And they will do.

The set opened with a minute or so of a baby crying, followed by my favourite track on the album Baby Boom. They had a good mix of their new material and some of their older stuff thrown in, too. Davey McManus was on top form (still weird and wonderful) and sounded brilliant. Every great band needs a proper front man, and boy can McManus draw you in to his performance. The tortured soul writhes on stage like nobody else, and is an interesting component to a very slick outfit.

This show was around halfway through the tour and the band and audience were both on top form. They ended the show with Fleetwood Mac cover Everywhere followed by recent hit single Lottery Winners On Acid and the crowd was a sea of mobile phones and  digital cameras. The perfect end to a brilliant night, next time The Crimea plays Newcastle you might just struggle to get a ticket.

A final mention must go to the second support band, Clearlake, fronted by Jason Pegg. It might not be the most rock and roll name for a singer in a band, but he put together some tremendous harmonies and had the audience converted. It's a very easy sound to listen to and complemented the headline act very well.

http://www.thecrimea.net/