The Elbow support slot is a cushy number, with nailed-on sellout crowds and, on the whole, a tuned-in audience that you probably wouldn't get riding in on, say, Kasabian's Union Jack jacket tails.

And even in the cultural desert that is Southend there are enough potential converts for angular Canadian indie-rock.

While the album, released on Bella Union, the label behind 2008's surprise crossover band Fleet Foxes, took four listens to hit home - often a sign of quality that endures - as a live proposition it's immediate.

They're ultra-tight, with great balance, irresistible hooks and bright lyrics - and frontman Rolf Klausener possesses the kind of dry charisma to win over even the most stereotypically confrontational Essex geezer.

Now, to the main attraction.

Elbow have been around for years, and in one of those strange quirks of fate 2008 was their year - a case of right place, right time, having been virtual outcasts, albeit much-loved virtual outcasts, since they appeared at the tail end of the last decade.

The funny thing is that they haven't suddenly improved massively; the Mercury and Brit-winning 'The Seldom Seen Kid' is album four, and follows a triumvirate of consistently great records. But, as I say, their hour of glory has arrived - the only logical explanation being that the public have finally woken up to their brilliance in light of the dearth of decent indie bands at the moment.

Tonight, in front of a capacity crowd, they're in imperious form.

The string section is utilised beautifully, adding to the impact when appropriate but not overused as is too often the case with some bands, and the band sound like they've rehearsed around the clock in the realisation that this tour is likely to see them go stellar.

Most striking, though, is Guy Garvey's voice; while he's always been recognisable and adequate he's never sounded anything like as impressive as he does tonight, displaying a depth and range you never thought he possessed.

And the songs - spanning their entire career, and all sounding triumphant, from the new anthems ('One Day Like This', 'Grounds For Divorce') to the majestic highlights from the back catalogue ('Newborn', 'Switching Off').

But what makes the night is the atmosphere, created not only by the music but also by the excitable audience and primarily the ever-witty Garvey - one of the nicest and funniest people in the business and someone who seems genuinely thrilled by the adulation.

Let's hope their reign at the top lasts as long as it took them to get there, and beyond.