Sheffield Octagon
Despite scoring two No 1 albums this year, the band remain charmingly self-effacing on this 30th anniversary tour

Shed Seven were plucky Britpop underdogs who notched up 15 Top 40 hits, though their success was certainly eclipsed by Blur, Oasis and Pulp. The chances of them scoring two No 1 albums within a calendar year three decades later must have seemed as likely as singer Rick Witter landing on the moon, but 30 years after their debut, this year’s chart-topping A Matter of Time and orchestrated collection Liquid Gold made them only the 20th act to achieve this feat since the charts started in 1952.

“We’ve joined an elite,” grins Witter. “The Beatles, the Jam, Queen … and Blue.” Chuckles all round, but Witter’s self-effacing quip recognises that his band’s enduring outsider status has made them tremendously relatable. Moments later, when he sings High Hopes – about determinedly keeping going despite setbacks and knockdowns – there’s barely a hand in the audience that isn’t raised in the air.