When Zulu Winter singer Will Daunt arrived on stage, he made a sign of the cross and looked up.

But down in the basement at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar it’s better to look forward: when it’s packed the low ceiling drips with sweat and it’s a long way to the man upstairs.

Mind you, Daunt was probably paying his thanks. After ten years together and several incarnations (anyone remember The Molotovs?), Zulu Winter’s second single, We Should Be Swimming, was named Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record In The World and has clocked up more than 400,000 YouTube hits.

The debut album it’s taken from, Language, is on the way too.

On the sounds of Thursday’s show the record will be filled with slightly ethereal lyrics – all touching skin and unlocking hearts – which defy its title.

The melodies are tangible enough, though. Silver Tongue, the next single, sounded like an anthem-in-waiting, as did People You Should Remember. The latter’s grandiose outro will fill bigger stages than this. With some slightly earnest posing, you get the sense Daunt knows as much.

Let's Move Back To Front was snappier, more intricate, and had a tasty middle eight as if crafted with Wild Beasts in the background.

The girls loved We Should Be Swimming, but the guitar line is robbed from Jonny Buckland’s book. It’s indie by numbers and Daunt’s voice was strained towards the end by its incessant refrain.

Zulu Winter are gracious and assured, and it’s easy to see why their next job is to open for Keane. The apprenticeship has taught them how to write for radio. Now they must pen something with more passion.