HIP-HOP superstars N-Dubz may have played Glastonbury on Saturday night, but the atmosphere surely paled in comparison to the one that met them in Whitehaven the following day.

Exploding with sheer energy, enthusiasm and down-right noise, the crowd gave DAPPY, TULISA and FAZER a proper Whitehaven welcome. And the chart-toppers didn’t disappoint, with a winning performance that more than matched the energy and enthusiasm of their audience.

Straight from the off, the group launched into I Need You, dominating the stage to set the scene for a breathless hour and 10 minutes.

Copeland’s recent tragedies were not lost on the band, who changed the lyrics of Papa Can You Hear Me? to “Cumbria Can You Hear Me”.

“I know there’s been a bit of madness going on and that’s why N-Dubz are here to change the mood,” said Dappy after the opening song. Fazer later paid tribute to “everyone involved in the tragic events”, while the band dedicated a song, No One Knows, to the memory of teenagers Chloe Walker and Kieran Goulding, who died after a tragic bus crash in May.

The band showcased all of their hits, including Strong Again, Say It’s Over, Playing With Fire and Ouch!, which was highlighted by a pillow-fight between Fazer and Tulisa. But a couple of stripped down acoustic cover versions, including a brilliant combo of The Script’s The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and Falling To Pieces, showed a different side to the band and demonstrated their versatility.

“Anyone can be inspired to write music,” said Dappy, before performing Number One, “all you need is a piano or a guitar and an idea”. But few get to the level where they can hold a captivated audience in the palm of their hand as well as N-Dubz did on Sunday. And when The Whitehaven News spoke to people as they left the concert, it was clear that it had been a resounding success. “Absolutely brilliant; they were even more amazing than we thought they’d be,” said one group of young fans armed with a “We love you Dappy” sign.

“It’s been the highlight of the weekend,” said 19-year-old DANIELLE DAVIS.

SHELLY JAMES, from Whitehaven, was there with her teenage daughter. “I think it’s fantastic that they have put a show on to cater for the younger end of the market. But I even enjoyed it myself!” she said.