FRESH from supporting Mancunian pop veterans James at a reunion stadium tour, Leeds-based rockers The Pigeon Detectives performed a spectacular comeback to a packed Montey’s.

The band had not played in the city since before they had a record deal, and the confidence from playing to thousands carried to the more intimate York setting.

Taking to the stage for the second consecutive night, Matt Bowman, who co-owns the club, thanked the audience for coming and told them “We hardly got out of here alive last night”, before tearing into a lively rendition of I Found Out from their debut album.

More classics followed, including Take Her Back and Romantic Type, with the crowd surging the stage at every opportunity and the band obviously enjoying themselves in front of an enthusiastic audience.

Fresh tracks from the band’s upcoming album were weaved in with little announcement, but are still well received, but the best reactions came from the band’s back catalogue.

Bowman and the band clearly relished the intimate venue, and he leapt about the tiny venue with energy and enthusiasm, at one point crowd surfing to the bar before necking a shot and making his way back to the stage to finish the set.

With such high energy showmanship and catchy, singalong rock tunes, the Pigeon Detectives live experience doesn’t disappoint, and works well in the small bar with a crowd that obviously appreciates the band.

Judging by the success of the sell-out gig, Montey’s is the place to catch The Pigeon Detectives in 2011.