Purveyors of uplifting indie-rock, Cast have held a special place in their fans’ hearts since the heyday of Britpop. Frontman John Power has a great line in jangly, melodic rock and his band are the worthy descendent of the curly-mopped Liverpudlian’s previous group The La’s That sense of continuity is hard wired into Cast – the band’s name being the last word sung on Looking Glass, the final song of their only album (“The change is Cast”).

Their show at a very respectably filled O2 Academy on November 29, saw them playing to their strengths with a solid-gold greatest hits set, designed to please the crowd. And please us it did.

Their fanbase is overwhelmingly male, not blokey or laddish, more that respectful breed of indie fan who watches quietly, perhaps cupping a plastic pint pot, nodding sagely.

It was perhaps that lack of engagement on this, the first night of their UK tour, that prompted Power to compare the gig to their lively previous shows in Ireland, observing that “It’s a funny place Oxford,” adding, “You know that... you live here!”

The crowd did gradually liven-up in direct proportion to their recognition of the songs as lesser known, and newer tracks, gave way to classics.

There was a lively reaction to Sandstorm followed by Finetime, I’m So Lonely, Live The Dream, and a mass sing-along to the emotionally-wrought Walkaway. Yes, it was that kind of night.

Other gems came in the shape of Beat Mama and Guiding Star before hitting a peak with anthem Alright.

The crowd may have taken a while to warm up on this grim, dark Thursday evening, but Cast’s irresistibly melodic and heartfelt tunes took their effect and by the end, with the show culminating in an extended guitar wig-out, we were going for it.

“This is the best time we’ve ever had in Oxford,” Power told us, clearly delighted – or at least relieved. Had it not been a school night, of course, he would have been more impressed still, I’d imagine.

In many ways, plain-speaking Power is an anti-rock star.

Wearing a simple T-shirt and wielding an acoustic guitar, there is a merciful absence of posturing. That’s not really the Liverpool thing though, is it. They simply wouldn’t accept it up there.

He makes it all look effortless – like he is barely trying. But it is punchy, well-played, deliciously engaging and all from the heart – and that’s why it endures... and still sounds so good.

TIM HUGHES 4/5