IT’S nights like this that make me realise how good my job is.

Seeing one of my favourite bands, live and for free in a very intimate setting is a rare treat – and one which I’m sure the Key 103 competition winners appreciated just as much as I did.

Just 400 people were crammed in front of the stage at Sound Control, Manchester, as Scissor Sisters, one of the world’s biggest bands, began their hour-long set.

Opening with current single Any Which Way, from album Night Work, the New Yorkers are natural entertainers with frontman and woman Jake Shears and Ana Matronic leading the banter, while Del Marquis, Babydaddy and Randy providing the backing on guitars and drums.

They played chart-topping hits Take Your Mama, Don’t Feel Like Dancing, and Mary from previous albums, as well as Night Work’s Fire With Fire and Running as the winning fans danced and sang along.

The small venue, hosted by high street fashion brand USC (which is due to open soon in the Mall, Blackburn), made me appreciate just how tight the band is.

The vocal harmonies were clean, intense and seriously impressive.

As an act, they’re known for over the top, spectacular stage performances – who can forget the crazed Brit awards performance with the giant farmyard puppets?

I’ve seen Scissor Sisters storm the Pyramid stage at Glastobury – pretty much the biggest audience you can get in the UK – and play an outdoors special in Trafalgar Square.

But seeing them so up close and personal was something else and so different from what you expect.

The cheek and humour were all there, but the simplicity of a well-honed band just playing and enjoying themselves will take some beating.

* Scissor Sisters will play at the Manchester Arena in December.