The NME Radar tour always seem to pick the acts who go on to have successful careers. La Roux, White Lies and The Cribs have all played in the past and this year’s line-up is no less stellar.

Given the electronic tinge of the rest of the bill, local duo Bitches provide some welcome variety. Comprising only drums and heavily distorted bass, their sound is a brazen, guttural clattering, slamming together riot girl punk and DC hardcore. Furious and vibrant, they kick things off in style with a terrific set.

New York hipster Darwin Deez is a way away from Bitches’ rawness, a colourful cocktail of Prince, Jamie Liddell and The Rapture; his band plays a chaotic, bubbly sort of indie funk with Phil Spector layering. The likes of Constellation and Up In The Clouds, have most of the venue dancing away anyway, but as well as this, in between tracks the band put down their instruments and break out some choreographed dance routines. By the time the band head for their dressing room, the whole room is beaming.

Next up, Everything Everything (pictured) are a little less free spirited. A jarring blend of post punk’s experimental side and the cold regimentation of Joy Division, with a vocal fusion of angelic verses and soaring harmonies, like a less dancey Friendly Fires or a male Kate Bush. Of all the acts on the bill playing tonight, they seem the least connected with the crowd, apparently just wanting to play their set and go home. This they do; it’s perfectly fine, but a weak link on a very strong bill.

And here’s the thing: Hurts should be rubbish. Their sound harks back to the days of Ultravox and Spandau Ballet with epic instrumentation and they have a real sense of pomp and poise on stage. Although technically just a duo, they’re supported live by three others, including an opera singer on backing vocals. And yet, somehow, it works. When they take the stage and break into Wonderful Life the looks from the crowd are of total bemusement, but as the set progresses, feet start to move, heads start to nod and by the end arms are aloft.

With tracks like Blood, Tears and Gold and Better Than Love, Hurts are going to win over a lot more people in the months to come.