IT has been a year in which they have won competitions and played to sell out crowds around the country, but for unsigned band Stillia, Saturday night’s launch of their new EP is the highlight.

The Sutton teenagers – Jack Bennett (frontman), Matty Bennett (drums), Connor Moran (lead guitar), Dave Sarbutts (bass guitar) – launched Living Loud at the Citadel with a show that fizzed with energy and talent.

The quartet’s following has grown rapidly, making them one of St Helens’ most exciting young bands.

After support bands Room for Rent and Don’t Panic, they swaggered to the stage in front of a sell-out audience and went straight in with the EP’s opening track I’m Alright.

For any unsigned band it is significant to see fans singing original tracks word-for-word and that was evident.

They mixed it up the set with covers, including Arctic Monkeys Mardy Bum, Stone Roses Waterfall and James’ Sit Down, but it is original tracks where they and frontman Jack, just three days away from his 18th birthday, really shined.

The likes of You Only Live Once and Take Me Away stand out as indie anthems alone and were received well by the sell-out crowd.

The band returned to the stage to chants of ‘we want more’ and after playing a Killers cover encore, drew a successful night to a close.

Manager Steve Cropper said: “We can’t thank the fans enough.

“We can’t get over how many people were here, it’s been such an amazing night.”