SINCE the British metal scene imploded last year, suburban kids have been flocking back to pop-punk as if it never went out of fashion.
You Me At 6 are arguably now the kings of the scene, having toured with the likes of The Audition, Fightstar and Elliot Minor in the last year.
Tonight sees them opening the Astoria for Tom Delonge's vanity project Angels and Airwaves and it looks as if the crowd who are here to see the Weybridge five-piece are outnumbered by the weird guys in leather jackets who are downing Red Stripe as they wait for the headliners.
The five teenagers play with grins on their faces throughout their infectious half-hour, halfway between disbelief that they are here at all and sheer youthful enjoyment.
They've come a long way in a relatively short time, so it's no surprise that debut single Save it for the Bedroom gets the biggest response tonight.
At this rate, it won't be long until they get their own headline slot at the Astoria. They will be massive this summer.
VINCENT DIGNAN