Morning Runner- Dublin Castle, Camden, London- 19 January 2006

As the crowd awaited the arrival of Morning Runner- Chris Martin’s favourite new band- there was an electrifying feeling in the air.

The Coldplay singer was apparently in the audience but I couldn’t see him. The crowd, mainly 20-somethings, had come to see the tip of 2006.

As the band eased there way through the full-to-bursting Dublin Castle punters, pianist Chris Wheat ‘Fields’ mumbled as he pushed past my mate: “Sorry, I’m in the band.”

Later he came back, less apologetic, more cheekily, to ask for a sip of her drink.

Vocalist and lead guitarist Matthew Greener, an unshaven rockstar in the making, got the crowd going as they launched into their set, their sound resembling Coldplay, but with a punky, grittier feel.

A new fan, a wild eyed man in his 50s, performed air guitar at the front of the crowd and when he disappeared, the band asked: “Where’s the old guy gone?”

Apart from the banter, Greener’s vocal range was superb, while Field’s keyboard and backing harmonies echoed soulfully behind him.

Even a temporary hitch on the night- Greener’s out of tune guitar- didn’t dampen the ardour of the fans.

Radio One’s Steve Lamacq’s single of the week Burning Benches kicked in accompanied by frenzied pogoing from the indie kids.

Not to be outdone, the old guy returned - this time on the floor, kissing the stage.

This piano-led anthem certainly received the best reaction of the night - from people of all ages.