There can't be many music gigs at the Arena where the support act is more than equal in quality to the main band, but One Republic certainly did that before James Morrison appeared on stage.

They grabbed the adoring audience from the first, appropriately opening with Waking Up, the title track from their new album.The six piece are multi-instrumentalists, displayed so well on Everybody Loves Me.

They wowed the fans with violin, double bass and even xylophone to create a powerhouse sound.They delivered an Abbey Road recorded Good Life, a stunning rendition of Shout and a storming All The Right Moves.

The biggest roar was for the Grammy-nominated Apologize with Ryan Tedder's searing vocal. Stop and Stare was another hit lapped up by the ecstatic crowd and it won't be long before the boys are back in a headlining spot.

James Morrison is very much an East Midlands boy, hailing from Rugby and spending his formative musical years in Derby.

The fans were quickly on side with a rip roaring opening, backed by a tight group of musicians and backing vocalists.

His dimunitive figure carries a truly soulful voice, very much to the fore on Please Don't Stop The Rain and a touching Let It Go. Get To You, the new single, carries on the list of hits as did You Make It Real For Me.

Broken Strings brought the house down and he got the throng dancing by cleverly weaving in soul classics like Hold On I'm Coming, Uptight and Use Me Up, as well as a sample of Paul Simon's Still Crazy After All These Years.

There were elements of gospel which added to the electric atmosphere and You Give Me Something got a rapturous welcome from the packed house.

The canny encore was The Man In The Mirror, accompanied by thousands of empathic voices and to bring the house down, Morrison and band ended on Wonderful World.

The ovation was well deserved as it was a unique evening of top musicianship, two acts at their brilliant best.

Phil Ball