Supporting The Gaslight Anthem can't be an easy job. Critical acclaim, sell out gigs, and a die-hard fan base can be a daunting combination to contend with. But both support acts won over the crowd within a matter of minutes at the Forum.
First up was White Belt Yellow Tag, who played a set filled with introspective hope. You would expect nothing less from a band that has a varied CV including involvement in Yourcodenameis:milo and the Cooper Temple Clause.
A promising start to the gig was followed by perhaps the biggest surprise of the night. If you had arrived at the Forum unsure of whom the headline act was, your bet would probably have been on the second act, Mano Diao. The Swedish band may be unfamiliar to many in this country but their mix of Razorlight-esque pop with added Blues guitar made for a special experience.
The simple fact that this band is touring its fifth studio album was immediately obvious; with a group of long-term fans in attendance, and a polished set including standout tracks 'Gloria' and 'Dance With Somebody'.
The big question now, was whether The Gaslight Anthem could live up to their hype? With a set obviously targeted towards fans of the bands second album, the simple answer is yes. But the material here had an added sense of urgency, though without the studio polish the garage rock and sheer volume of these songs really shone through.
With 'Great Expectations' and 'The '59 Sound' coming early in the set, it was impossible for the crowd not to start singing along with Brian Fallon's intelligent and memorable lyrics. These really are blue collar anthems for the masses. The Gaslight Anthem are gearing up to play outdoor venues this summer, and when they have, there will be no stopping them.
Brian Fallon seemed genuinely appreciative of such a warm reception from a London crowd, and quirky elements like the cover of 'Stand By Me' helped to keep the audience in good spirits. The Gaslight Anthem delivered a safe set, but one that won over the audience with each successive song.
If they carry on delivering such quality from their live sets, they might even give fellow New Jersey veteran Bruce Springsteen a run for his money in Hyde Park later this month.
Rating: 4/5