Of the two opening acts, INVISIBLE IDOLS and NEONFLY, the former were certainly the appropriate fit with the headline act, but the latter really caught my eye with an excellent set. NEONFLY’s brand of European sounding heavy metal wasn’t to everyone’s liking, but the band showed good technical ability, had some good songs, and singer Tamas Csemez had the perfect voice for the music.

It may have been a Wednesday night, but the turnout for H.E.A.T. was disappointing. There was comfortably less than a 100 people in the gig tonight, which is amazing considering the fantastic music the band has. Unfortunately, it seems the band’s performances at opening act for EDGUY last year, and at 2008′s Firefest, have done little to boost their UK fan base.

Still, the small crowd meant for one hell of an intimate gig, and somehow made the night feel a little more special. Unfazed by the small crowd, H.E.A.T. played an absolute blinder, with a great set featuring the best songs from their debut album, and a select few numbers from brand new record ‘Freedom Rock’, which is out in the UK this Monday.

H.E.A.T’s image is a real 1980′s throwback, apart from frontman Kenny Leckremo, who doesn’t really have an image! What he does have though is one hell of a voice, best displayed on a beautiful rendition of ‘Cry’. All of the new songs worked well, especially the excellent ‘We’re Gonna Make it To The End’, and despite the album not yet being on the shelves, the hardy few in attendance seemed to be singing a long (illegal downloads anyone?).

The highlight of the night was ’1,000 Miles’, a song that so nearly made it to the Eurovision song contest last year. In a similar way to JOURNEY’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, the song tells an uplifting story of two lovers. The hour long set finally came to an end with ‘Keep on Dreaming’ - a fitting song, as this is something the band has to do in order to keep building a fan base.

For me, H.E.A.T. are currently the best young up and coming band in the world. Both of their albums are magnificent, and all they now need is a stroke of luck to gain some worldwide attention, something like a major support slot. For now though, the band can be enjoyed in intimate surroundings, kind of like a best kept secret. Do what you can to see them in this setting, because it will be a cruel world if this band never make it huge.

H.E.A.T. Setlist: There For You / Late Night Lady / Black Night / Straight For You Heart / Bring The Stars / Cry / Everybody Wants To Be Someone / Straight Up / We’re Gonna Make It To The End / Never Let Go / 1,000 Miles / Feel It Again / Beg Beg Beg / Keep on Dreaming

Rating: 4.7/5.0