X Factor semi-finalists, Union J, certainly had Ipswich jumping for joy on Friday night. Since finishing in fourth place in 2012, the boyband has amassed a dedicated, loyal fan base - perhaps not quite on the One Direction scale, but certainly heading that way.

From the moment they walked into the stage, the young lads had the audience enthralled with songs from their latest album (entitled ‘Union J’) including their top 10 hits ‘Carry You’ and ‘Beautiful Life’.

They performed the obligatory cover songs to bolster their set and each of the boys took their chance to shine with a solo performance. Although the band is most definitely a four-piece, Jaymi’s vocals marked him out as a potential lead singer going forward - his version of Beyonce’s ‘Listen’ showcased the best performance of the night.

A melody of Taylor Swift songs was very well-received, with every member of the packed out audience singing along.

Slowing the tempo down, the boys made a surprising admission. This year’s Christmas Number One (‘Skyscraper’) by the 2013 X Factor winner, Sam Bailey, would actually have been their X Factor single - had they made it to the final in the last series. They went on to sing a haunting rendition of the hit which demonstrated their powerful, collective range.

The show was peppered with home videos and X Factor clips, showing just how far the boys have come, including local boy, JJ, who is from just down the road in Newmarket. His delight at playing his ‘home crowd’ was evident throughout the show.

Rounding off the show by pulling four lucky girls from the audience onto the stage to be serenaded, Union J certainly put a smile on the faces of a whole host of teenage girls last night.

Emma Noye