Live Review: Peter Bjorn & John, Hein Cooper

Hein Cooper graces the stage with his presence and receives a smattering of applause from the rather decent crowd that's turned out early for his opening support slot. Cooper's roll call of indie-pop tunes is delightful on the ear, with his inviting voice full of warmth and emotion. The New South Welshman alternates between acoustic ballads and moody electronic enhanced arrangements, with recent radio hit Rusty drawing the biggest ovation of his short but satisfying set.

As the house lights dim and the jittery crowd yell and clap in anticipation, indie-pop trio Peter Bjorn & John arrive ready to party, opening with the rollicking May Seem Macabre. The Swedish mainstays keep the good times flowing as they journey through their hit-filled back catalogue, with a setlist heavy on tracks from this year's Breakin' Point. While they sound great on record, hearing their songs in the live arena is exhilarating, with the band making subtle tweaks and adjustments to flesh out their sound. What You Talking About? and Dominos bring a dose of funk to the evening, It Don't Move Me channels The Beatles, and Breaker, Breaker finds the band unleashing two minutes of blistering pop-rock that causes a mini-mosh.

It's hard to believe Peter Bjorn & John are all in their 40s with the energy they exuded on stage, particularly lead vocalist and guitarist Peter Moren. He's a thunder ball of passion, constantly moving about the stage, be it leaping through the air with legs outstretched or dancing like a maniac during Dig A Little Deeper, where he gets the rocking crowd involved with some call-and-response during the chorus. Bassist Bjorn Yttling and drummer John Eriksson play their part admirably, as do touring keyboardist Klaus and singer/multi-instrumentalist Freya, but it's Moren who steals the spotlight with his entertaining antics. The rhythmic fan favourite Objects Of My Affection brings the show to an end before an epic encore keeps the audience buzzing. Nostalgic Intellect and Love Is What You Want keep the vibe lively before Freya joins Moren for a brilliant rendition of the trio's most recognisable tune Young Folks. The stellar Second Chance is the penultimate number before an extended version of I Know You Don't Love Me sees Moren jump into the audience before they crowdsurf him back on stage, still playing his guitar without missing a beat.

Nine years on since their last visit, Peter Bjorn & John have lost none of their enthusiasm, delivering one of the most enjoyable gigs of 2016.