On a night where they’re competing with the Welsh rugby team for punters, there’s a worry that The Gaslight Anthem could play their joint largest ever show to a half-full room.

Indeed, during openers BaysideÔÇÖs angst-punk set, the throng was barely ten deep with many electing for the seating at very back of the arena. The veteran New Yorkers pound through a half-hour set characterised by earnest vocals and squalling guitar solos, the highlight being the mellower ÔÇÿMona LisaÔÇÖ, showcasing frontman Anthony RanieriÔÇÖs vocal ability.

Coinciding with the first influx of boozed up rugby fans, Rhode Island rockers Deer TickÔÇÖs set catches the crowdÔÇÖs interest with a gritty blend of good time rock ÔÇÿnÔÇÖ roll that shows off their versatility. From a twelve bar blues romp to a ÔÇÿReplacementsÔÇÖ cover via Dylan-esque melodies and a wild saxophone solo, Deer Tick win a fair few new fans tonight.

Arriving onstage with no fanfare, The Gaslight Anthem bizarrely, but brilliantly, begin with ÔÇÿHave Mercy,ÔÇÖ a rare B-side from their latest album; it’s a low-key, husky croon which paves the way for juggernaut ÔÇÖThe ’59 SoundÔÇÖ. Their congregation swollen by the rowdy latecomers, the New Jersey five-piece set to work on a mammoth set that dips in and out of all of their releases.

Skilled lighting technician aside, thereÔÇÖs none of the histrionics associated with arena shows on display here. Gaslight let their songs do the talking and, lucky for them, they have bags of them. Bayside’s Raneri returns to duet on a lung-busting rendition of ÔÇÿGreat ExpectationsÔÇÖ, pared back to the bare bones of Brian FallonÔÇÖs fingerpicked guitar and heartfelt lyrics.

Two hours and thirty songs later, The Gaslight Anthem blast out of Cardiff with a euphoric ÔÇÿThe BackseatÔÇÖ, having bravely and successfully rocked an arena audience without compromising the style they honed in clubs across the globe.ÔÇï