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Following in the footsteps of Oasis, Radiohead and The Hives - Reading band My Luminaries are in London on a Friday night for their second gig in the last twelve months.

I've been watching their myspace and blogs over that year - and have never failed to be impressed. Bands can get taken for granted sometimes, taking a year out to develop your debut album gives your audience the opportunity to watch everyone else - and to gain some perspective.

I'm here at 7.45pm, the band are due on at 8.30pm and it is nicely busy. I ask the venue promoter if he has heard of them before - 'no' he replies 'but they have brought a good amount of people with them'.

My Luminaries at the Fez Club (C) Alex Flahive

8.20pm and the band are on stage plugging in. I've got 10 minutes to get a drink and I turn around to a wall of people - it is packed. I pass the promoter on the way who tells me they are going on at 9pm now as there is a queue outside for them and they cannot get people in quickly enough. A queue eh ? Best I have a look at that then....

.... the queue is around the block ! Everybody in it is waiting to see My Luminaries. There must be the same amount outside as inside so I plan ahead - 'Two pints please' - and get myself in position. The amount of people behind the small bar has trebled from two to six.

It is proper hot in here - more and more people are coming in - the band are doing their best to mingle and a very happy looking promoter lets them know they will now be starting at 9.30pm. Thank goodness - I have a cap on which has glued itself to my head.

9.32pm - 'Good evening London!' (big cheer). 'We are My Luminaries' (big cheer). 'We have some new songs for you tonight' ('RAY!).

First out of the bag is The Firemen. New. A gentle opener with folk overtones and some Aladdin Sane running through it for good measure. They have a guy now called Simon Jones who plays piano and guitar and he sounds like a fine addition. The song catches me out - you think you've got it sussed but then at about three mins it goes off on one.

Welcome is next. We know this one and surely a strong contender for album inclusion. Mr piano man makes this different to how I remember with 'Like Clockwork / Johnny Fingers' style playing - two cracking songs so far which sound like they have been around forever.

Simon goes on to guitar next for A Little Declaration. A well respected tune of theirs - the extra guitar and cello (from their other new member - Angelique) has a six-piece Luminaries smashing this one out there. This line-up works.

There is steam coming from people's heads and ickle droplets of sweat on the ceiling of the room - Parasol is next and we could almost do with one. Hard hitting drums and disjointed piano work are brought together with a dynamic front line vocal. 'We love playing this song' they announce at the beginning and at the end of it man I love it. A newie. Single written all over it.

My Luminaries (C) Adam Ososki

Homewrecker is new too. James takes to the harmonica and it is times like these I wish people still bootlegged gigs - this song is great and I could do without waiting two months to hear it again. I've only written two words in my notes - 'classic Dylanesque'.

An Order From The Chaos sees the vocals really getting ripped in to - the sound is now huge - essential as the crowd are getting louder and louder. January and March 2009 sees the band nail their debut with the chap who did The Black Crowes album - and you can't help but wonder at their arsenal of songs. There is no 'Outsider' tonight - no 'Jumping' - no 'Petrol Station' - what are they going to put on the thing? What's it going to look like? Aaah. It feels good to be a fan of music once more.

Rimmel (cosmetics) know what I'm on about here. A nice cheque for the next one - the brilliant - Sound of Music - has enabled the above mentioned album to be recorded how the band wish and if I could pick an opening tune for the record - this would be it. The build-up teases you until 'that' riff comes in and it does not let up - a fantastic song.

The demo of Clementine at myspace.com/myluminaries - barely hints at what is coming. Live - and surely on the album - are harmonies to make the Beach Boys jealous. It all seems so easy - there are no muckups, no string breakages - and with a guitarist who plays seven instruments and a band using 24 channels of sound - you know they are ripe and ready to jump straight in with the biggest of the guns.

The closer - Heads Will Roll - is new once more and another single for me. It has been a great night and a masterclass of set progression.

We ask for an encore of course - the venue is way behind on their scheduling now and good luck to whoever has to follow that.

Too much claustrophobia in there now for me - I'm off with a spring in my step and a grin on my face.

My Luminaries play Reading University 360 on Friday 23rd January at 10.15pm. I recommend an early arrival.