Elbow were long overdue a night like this. For many years, the Bury band seemed destined to be rock’s perennial underachievers but thanks to their Mercury-winning fourth album, The Seldom Seen Kid, they’re now popular enough to headline Wembley Arena.

For frontman, Guy Garvey, it was all a lot to take in. “Wow, there’s loads of you,” he remarked, before launching into Mirrorball. Built on rising strings and an insistent guitar figure, the ballad showcased Garvey’s achingly romantic lyrics. “Now I know what every step is for/To lead me to your door,” he crooned.

Away from the balladry, Elbow proved they could rock. Leaders of the Free World, their third album’s eponymous single, was a mass of distorted guitars and driving beats.

The band were joined by Richard Hawley for The Fix. The shimmering ballad came complete with shakers, tip-toeing piano and a guitar solo from the bequiffed Sheffield troubadour.

Garvey called for a toast before Grounds for Divorce, raising a glass to his adoring throng. The song featured the singer walloping two drums next to his mic stand (he’d put his glass down by this point) and Mark Potter’s bluesy guitar riff.

As a treat for their fans, Elbow played Newborn. The standout track from their 2001 debut, Asleep In The Back, was a reminder that, while the band have only recently garnered the respect they deserve, the music’s always been special.

All that singing’s thirsty work, so Garvey adjourned proceedings for a drinks break. Huddled around Craig Potter’s keyboard, they knocked back a whisky and began Weather to Fly. When Garvey sang “Are we having the time of our lives?” over its chiming verse, the answer from the crowd was unanimous: “Yes!”

They were about to get happier, too, with the arrival of One Day Like This. In its extended coda, it was Elbow’s very own Hey Jude and the feeling of euphoria was total. Eighteen years in the waiting, Elbow’s time has come.