Well, this is cool. I don't make a habit of following bands around the globe, but work has brought me here, so I get to experience two of the UK's most popular bands outside of their UK scene comfort zone.

As Young Guns tear into opener In The Night, it's amazing to think about how far they have come in a year. This time last year, they were completely unknown, and while there is still a long way to go, it's incredible to see a few kids here singing their songs back at them. As usual they put in a powerful performance, Gus commands the audience these days with a confidence that has come from nowhere. The vocals are a little flat tonight, but otherwise this is a great introduction from them to the people of Amsterdam.

The Blackout have been here before, a few times, and the leg work has clearly paid off as the room is rammed by the time they hit the stage. The Blackout have had an incredible year also. Dismissed by some as be all style and little else, they dropped a bomb of an album in Best In Town that laid waste to any such claims. They have also spent the year sharing stages with the likes of N.E.R.D and Linkin Park which has clearly done them well. Their live show was never in question- Gavin and Sean are hugely entertaining frontmen with endless banter to give between songs. The rest of the band are like a unit these days as well, seemingly able to nail down their songs with faultless precision without even breaking a sweat. Another album like the last one and The Blackout could be contending a certain other Welsh led group for their throne as the kings of the UK Alternative scene. Watch this space.
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