I've never seen The Haunt fuller than tonight, and rightly so – northern diamonds Field Music should be selling out venues of this size (and considerably bigger) if there's a God, and that God likes thoughtful and inventive British pop/indie. Coming on to a rendition of 'Abide with me', specially arranged for horns, it's the first touch of class on display this evening – it is Sunday after all.

The set kicks off with 'The Noisy Days Are Over', from new album Commontime – and the new edition of horns to the touring band come straight to the fore, adding plenty of attitude and punch. Another new addition, a female backing vocalist/keyboard player, also weighs in impressively as the wedges of harmony so prominent throughout Noisy Days are laser-like in their accuracy and fruitly potent.

We're treated to a rocky rendition of old favourite, 'If Only The Moon Were Up', and it's clear that there's an injection of oomph to FM's sound, but no loss of detail. The power is also apparent in the heavy syncopated 'I'm Glad' and even though we're treated to new flavours, FM have lost none of their tightness and togetherness, which at times feels telepathic.

A quick swap over between the Brewis brothers on drums and guitar brings David to the mic and the excellent 'Disappointed' sounds fantastic with an added a capella breakdown thrown in for good measure.

With albums spanning back to 2005, FM have no shortage of great material, and tonight's set is a nice mix of new and old, with the old quite often being given a bit of a makeover. That's certainly the case for 'Let's Write A Book', as the Prince influence that has found its way onto Commontime gives it a new dimension.

Various comments from the brothers about their collective lack of chart time precedes an old classic, 'A House Is Not A Home', and really does lead one to scratch one's head – why on earth does music like this not chart? It's jaunty and distinctly British pop in the vein of XTC and Squeeze, full of intelligence and hooks. If there was a God…

Measure's 'Them That Do Nothing' is called back to the starting block after Peter Brewis can't remember the first line. Satisfied that the right lyric has been offered by the crowd, Peter starts again and we're treated to another FM beauty.

Another track from Measure, 'Effortlessly', is a high point and demonstrates the perfect FM template – graceful, velvety flow, great harmonies, cool but unorthodox riffs and shit-hot performance. It's only really bettered by Commontime album closer, 'Stay Awake', another song to benefit from plentiful horns. Its rousing, joyous final chorus fills the room and warms the heart. It's precisely the reason why people drag themselves out on a miserable Sunday night in March.
Adam Atkins