UNION J bounded into Bristol last night, extending the festive period for the lucky lasses (and a few lads) who were looking forward to seeing band member George Shelley playing a headline tour in his home town for the first time.

Support came from Elyar Fox and Room 94, who are building up a loyal following here after supporting Lawson last year and will be returning to the city for their own tour next month.

Right from the start, the 2012 X Factor semi-finalists were on top form for the screaming fans, who didn’t care that the boys were not the eventual winners of the top TV competition.

Songs from their self-titled debut album made up the bulk of the playlist, which included the singles Carry You and Beautiful Life, although there were also some great cover versions including a medley of Taylor Swift numbers and ‘Skyscraper’ – the Christmas number one from this year’s winner Sam Bailey, which would have been Union J’s winners’ single, had they made it to the final.

Of course, having a talented band on stage is always going to help, as is well thought-out lighting .

Video clips of the guys as youngsters and from their time on the X Factor kept the audience entertained during the lulls (with only one slight technical hitch), while costume changes kept them looking fresh all evening.

Although the boys work together as a vocal harmony group, they were brave enough to each take to the stage in a solo slot, which served to prove beyond doubt that Jaymi has the best vocals of the band.

Relaxed and confident, Union J delighted a lot of people last night – especially if you were one of the five girls chosen by the boys to join them on stage to sing along to ‘Amaze Me’ - and that is exactly what going to a gig is all about.

This was music to make people happy and it certainly did!