COMING of age is a phrase that gets bandied around for all sorts of things - that teenage burst into the joys of adulthood; a sports team winning a trophy; an affectionate term for indie-type movies; a comedy on the Beeb.

If it’s possible for a band to come of age, that’s what Bastille did at a sold out Manchester Academy 2 on Tuesday night.

It was the third time I’ve seen the London pop four piece and this was by far their best performance.

The timing of the gig from an audience perspective was spot on.

Single ‘Pompeii’ went in at number two on the UK single chart on Sunday - Bastille’s best effort to date - and debut album ‘Bad Blood’ looks set to better that success with early sales indicating it could be a chart topper.

So when Dan Smith, Chris Wood, Will Farquarson and Kyle Simmons walked on stage brimming confidence, it was easy to understand why.

Opener ‘Bad Blood’ is greeted eagerly by the mainly teenage crowd.

When I interviewed lead singer Smith back in September last year he told me the song was based on how friendships change as you get older.

What has changed for Bastille is their stock has risen with regular airplay on mainstream stations.

Crowds now know their stuff, making for an enjoyable sing-a-long atmosphere.

More album tracks follow - ballad-esque ‘Laura Palmer’ (written about a real girl, says Smith), melancholic ‘Sleep Song’ and foot stomping ‘These Streets’.

Mixed in with the self-penned numbers are songs from Bastille’s album of cover versions called Other People’s Heartache - their take on ‘What Would You Do’ by City High and a mashed up version of Snap’s ‘Rhythm Is A Dancer’ with ‘Rhythm Of The Night’ by Corona.

The variety of song on offer could be looked at in two ways - Bastille don’t know what their identity is yet and are trying to please everyone; or they just want to show off.

Either way it’s music that appeals most to the Twilight generation, with plenty left for the rest of us to enjoy.

‘Pompeii’ is then introduced by Smith who says the chart success ‘feels like it’s been a long time coming’.

As the band departed with the chorus of that song still ringing in their ears from the sweaty audience, you get the feeling their next big single might just come along a bit quicker.