The first thing that crosses your mind is that the LA2 (yes, it’s finally been re/un-named) has been less full for ‘bigger’ acts. To say the Reuben are underrated seems obvious until you ask yourself, “underrated by whom?”

Clearly their fans are turning out to shows in droves and they’ve received much favourable press around the release of their outstanding recent album In Nothing We Trust, but still they remain ‘underrated’.

Everybody here tonight knows exactly what they’re in for: alternative rock anthems with a heavy helpful of grunge and a constant shower of harmonised vocals in there to boot, all complemented with the passion and guile of a band that will continue to play music ‘til the day they stop loving it.

Nobody’s disappointed and, indeed, there’s little more that Reuben can do to better their performance tonight. Vocalist and guitarist Jamie Lenman is as charming as he’s ever been between songs, and Jon Pearce mirrors his every move on the other side of the stage while Guy Davis’ perpetually incisive drums holds it all down perfectly.

The nod to the old school is warmly appreciated as Lenman asks who has the Pilot EP from yesteryear. As the cheers ring out around the venue, Reuben unleash ‘Crimson’. Whilst they include the heaviest of the heavy from their earliest material, they also release the lightest of the light. A couple of times.

‘Moving To Blackwater’ from Racecar… and ‘Good Luck’ from their new opus adds the light to the general shade of Reuben’s set that all bands dream of. It’s the kind of skill that takes time, effort and energy to get just right but Reuben have managed it.

Playing ‘Scared of the Police’ is a masterstroke near the end and the massive, gigantic, rapturous applause they receive when the lights go on at 9.45pm is testament to their decision to eschew the relative comforts of record label backing.

Enter Shikari might be gaining the plaudits for their spirit of independence and Gallows might be getting fans because of their live shows, but somewhere slap bang in the middle is Reuben. They’re doing it on their own and they’re doing it really bloody well.