SEAN ATKINS Open, Norwich

SEAN ATKINS

Open, Norwich

It would take more than the venue burning down to stop a Delirious concert. And last night, at Open in Norwich, Delirious showed just how unstoppable they are.

The rock band, who have previously played to packed-out Waterfront and UEA venues, had been booked to play at Norwich's Mount Zion Family Life Centre - the church building which was devastated by a massive fire just over a couple of weeks ago.

They have entertained at stadiums and huge festivals all over the world, but Delirious were determined to keep this date in Norwich on their UK tour and the sell-out crowd was clearly appreciative.

The initial choice of a church setting gives it away - Delirious are a Christian band and this show, in partnership with the Wildlife youth project, had quite a message for the young audience.

But in musical terms Delirious really rock and they'd be preaching to the converted if you like U2, Green Day, Radiohead or the Manic Street Preachers.

There is huge variety from the intimate sound of Majesty and Miracle Maker to the stirring anthems Rain Down and History Maker.

Paint the Town Red, from current album The Mission Bell, was the highlight. This belting track reminds me of U2's Vertigo and Blur's Song 2 - but perhaps with even more force.

And Open, the developing youth venue in the old Barclays building on Bank Plain, is such an impressive location for live music it's hard to believe it was ever wasting its time as a bank. Not bad for a late substitute.

Delirious, set for a month-long tour of the USA where they're said to have sold more albums than Robbie Williams, were not complaining.

Keyboard player Tim Jupp said: “We heard about the fire at Mount Zion the morning after it happened. It's never happened to us before.

“We were determined to come. We just needed somewhere with a roof on.”