By Sean Edwards: It was a big night for The Sugarmill. Not only were they hosting a gig for one of the UK’s most exciting and energetic bands, but they also had to cope with the onslaught of blood, sweat and tears that Hadouken fans seem to revel in.

Hadouken

Half-naked teenagers roamed the venue dressed as if they were going to the beach on a warm summer’s day, while others were so intoxicated they were thrown out by the bouncers even before the support act emerged onstage.

When support band Soft Toy Emergency appeared, the crowd erupted into even more of a frenzy. The band’s electro-pop-tastic set was the perfect appetizer and a successful crowd pleaser, as female vocalist Jen conducted the crowd with ease.

Finally, Hadouken took to the stage and 600 fans all screamed in unison as they burst into the opener Rebirth. Masses of flailing limbs flew around the room as the grindie band showed off their latest material – only to be cut short as the barrier restraining the frantic crowd broke under the pressure, forcing the band to leave the stage temporarily.

Twenty minutes later, the band returned to the stage and chaos resumed – leaving vocalist James Smith to remind the crowd: “It’s not our fault the barrier broke, it was you guys.”

They then launched into past hits Get Smashed Gate Crash and Liquid Lives which received the best responses of the night, as well as new singles Turn The Lights Out and the orgy of dubstep that is M.A.D. – accompanied by a glorious rave lightshow.

Blasting through hits old and new, they closed proceedings with the menacing Bombshock, and That Boy That Girl, bringing an end to the gruelling mosh pits and a night of teenage debauchery.

From the smiles on the sweat-soaked fans’ faces, it was clear that Hadouken are destined for bigger ventures, and to firmly take their place as the heirs to The Prodigy’s crown.

Hadouken, 17 November 2009 at The Sugarmill, in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent.