Scouting for Girls is a name that strikes nostalgic glee into the hearts of many. Tonight’s performance at the O2 Academy manages to not only harness their beloved past but to elevate it and make even their older songs exciting and new. This tour is a celebration of the 15th anniversary of their platinum album Everybody Wants to be on TV; showcasing all the hits from the album along with some old favourites and new offerings.

Coming onto the scene in 2005 and releasing their first album in 2007, Scouting For Girls are veterans in the field of British indie-pop, and tonight it shows in the best way. The whole performance is a joyful embrace of their past and a constant callback to the love they have for their devoted fans. From glimpses behind the scenes of their second album’s creation (lead singer Roy Stride relaying that the band were told by their label to write more “fun songs”) to Stride reading out all their previous gigs in Glasgow, there is a sense of reverence created for the band’s past.

Where the band really shine is in their ability to interact with the audience. Stride employs a number of tactics to engage the crowd. Clapping, jumping, choreographed singing, splitting the room, these are all tried and true gig fodder but in Stride’s case they are incredibly effective. His commands bring the entire venue to life, resulting in choruses of echoed hooks and arms waved in the air. In turn the band feed off the energy, rewarding the crowd with even more bombastic performances that never falter. It’s a symbiotic relationship that only grows and becomes more endearing as the gig progresses.

The setlist is packed with hits, including old favourites ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, ‘This Ain’t a Love Song’ and ‘Posh Girls’ which are played with a relentlessly upbeat and energetic flair. The band are seamless, Stride moving between an upright keyboard and a seated piano, while the vocals and instruments blend well throughout. The performance is well-oiled and slick, but the personality of the band is what makes them really special.

The overall feeling is one of inclusion and lighthearted fun; it’s impossible not to smile and bop along through the string of well-performed songs and buoyant camaraderie. When they leave the stage after a raucous rendition of ‘She’s So Lovely’, arguably the band’s biggest hit, the room seems to vibrate with the stomping feet and clapping hands of the sellout crowd.

A well-established band playing well-trod songs, Scouting For Girls are a shining and optimistic example of how to harness fame into something long lasting, tongue-in-cheek yet meaningful.