“WE’RE not interested in the charts, that’s not why we do it – that’s Simon Cowell territory,”

says the Enemy front man Tom Clarke as the Coventry trio kick off their UK tour at the newly re-named O2 Academy Liverpool.

Talking to the Star before the show, the rockers spoke about their dislike for talent shows such as the X factor.

In fact the Q Award winners have just completed a secret ‘pub tour’ on which they could be found playing to audiences as small as 40 people.

In June, The Enemy embark on their biggest ever run of gigs when they join Oasis and Kasabian on a UK stadium tour, playing to audiences as big as 90,000.

Tom, who has been suffering all day with food poisoning, says the news of playing the run of concerts ‘still hasn’t sunk in’ and he explains how he ‘likes the little gigs because you’re closer to the crowd’.

What’s clear from looking around the audience at the O2 Academy is that the Enemy attracts a broad spectrum of music lovers. Young ‘emos’ take their place at the back of the venue with anxious parents, attempting to avoid the sweaty teen beer throwers at the front.

There are former punk rockers, now mellowed, hiding upstairs on a balcony where the bar queue is a little more orderly.

Manchester band Kid British are the first of two support acts to take to the stage after what seems to be a useless sound check, in which the four members warm up their vocal cords by shouting abuse at each other.

However, their sound impresses the audience and the group’s lead vocalist, who describes our capital city as ‘a fucking maze’, introduces their track Lost in London.

Next up is Twisted Wheel, an Oldham band that has been described as ‘a breath of fresh air’ by veteran Oasis rock ‘n’ roll star Liam Gallagher.

The band plays an electric set and are clearly influenced by The Sex Pistols and The Kinks and this shines through their music. 2009 marks the release of the band’s first album and are supporting the Enemy on their entire UK tour.

The Enemy take to the stage to the sound of 1,200 screaming fans. Before the show, the band can’t pin down their major influences. “What are our influences? Everything,” says Tom.

“We’re in to anything from Oasis to classical music to something called jazz fusion that not many people will have heard of. Here’s my iPhone, take it and have a look what’s on it – it’s full of everything.”

The Enemy are well aware of the importance of music on Merseyside.

“Obviously Liverpool crowds are famous. It’s difficult playing in front of them sometimes because you know you’re playing to musicians,” explains Tom.

“A Scottish audience just goes mad but a Liverpool audience have a reserved judgement but it’s nice to know you’re being quietly appreciated.”

The Enemy stun the Liverpool crowd with a mix of songs from their platinum selling album, We’ll live and die in these towns and their new record Music for the people.

Their hit singles Had enough and Away from here prove to be the most popular on the night, which sold out as early as December, and spark crowd surfing.

The Enemy were presented with the award for ‘best new act’ at the 2007 Q Awards. In February 2008, they won the ‘best new band’ category at the NME Awards.

From Liverpool, the Enemy continue their tour of the UK and their new album, Music for the people is released on April 27.