The security is tight in Trafalgar Square. Seven thousand people are packed into half of this historic area in the centre of London. They are here tonight to see a certain well-known Irish four-piece in action. It is probably the smallest audience the band have played to all year.

Hozier is playing from the sound system, as the crowd waits for the arrival of Adam, Bono, Edge and Larry. The set-up has the band positioned right in front of the famous pillar. Nothing wrong with that, but overall, you can see from the off that it is far from an ideal situation. The runway part of the stage is less than 10 meters long. It is going to be hard for Bono to work the audience. Also, there's no big screen behind the band. Which is when you realise: the priority here is to get good television pictures. Highlights will screen on MTV tomorrow night. It is that kind of occasion.

Laura Whitmore – familiar from MTV as well as from the cover of Hot Press – steps forward to do the introductions, carrying it off with characteristic aplomb. And then we are into the music.