Less than a week before they play three shows in the much larger venue next door, Bloc Party edged towards their big comeback with a tantalising preview for Xfm competition winners.

Of all the breakthrough bands releasing second albums in the coming months, and there are many, this London-based quartet seem most likely to make a genuine career out of their chiming, multi-layered rock songs.

Unlike, say, Kaiser Chiefs, there is real depth to their tense, troubled music, and in yelping singer Kele Okereke they have a frontman who has something to say, even if he often looks like he'd rather be hiding under the stairs.

His prickly demeanour can make him unapproachable, but his band should thrive on their outsider status - dedicated gloominess never harmed Radiohead.

In any case, the singer at last seemed very much at home on stage last night, an ease surely helped by the fact that on his new songs, he has opened up as never before.

Abstract feelings have been replaced by clear reality, whether it's the banal suggestion, "Let's drive to Brighton on the weekend" on the soaring Waiting For The 7.18, or the fragile arrogance of new single The Prayer ("Is it so wrong to crave recognition?").

On new album Weekend in the City, to be released in 10 days' time, he sings of his experiences of cocaine and, more strikingly for someone so introverted, hints at his homosexuality.

However, the fans here seemed more gripped by the pounding guitars. Set opener Song For Clay (Disappear Here) began softly before plummeting into a thunderous riff from wiry guitarist Russell Lissack, who was screened throughout by the kind of fringe that schoolboys grow so the teacher can't tell they're asleep.

More familiar tracks such as Banquet and the frenzied Helicopter provided additional high- speed thrills, Okereke frequently clapping his hands above his head and cupping his ear for some audience participation.

Some new songs, particularly the lengthy, slowly changing Uniform, were harder to grasp on first listen, but this is how it should be for a band destined to be important, not instant.

They may be hard to love, but they'll be harder to ignore this year.