Maximo Park and Kaiser Chiefs wonderland gig

The Kaiser Chiefs, Maximo Park and Hard-Fi were amongst the bands who combined for a special Christmas gig in London last night (December 11).

The bands played on the first night of XFM's Winter Wonderland at Brixton Academy to mark the end of the year and support housing charity Shelter.

The gig was kicked-off by the teenage winners of the radio station's competition 'Rock School', The Flaming Monkeys, before the more established bands took charge.

Editors played an exciting and brisk set featuring songs including 'Old Sparks' and 'Munich', while Magnet and The Kooks performed acoustic spots between the other bands.

Introducing his band, Maximo Park singer Paul Smith declared the evening a 'special night' before announcing that 'for the first time - and probably the last - we're going to play our album in its entirety'.

After 'A Certain Trigger' was played completely in order, there was a brief set from comedian Jimmy Carr before Hard-Fi pulled out a show-stealing spot.

Along with their customary cover of the White Stripes' 'Seven Nation Army', the band set the venue alive with the likes of 'Hard To Beat' and 'Cash Machine', before extending the Sunday vibe a little longer with 'Living For The Weekend'.

Despite the clock running late and many fans in danger of missing their trains home, room was made for 'special guests' Chas And Dave, who took the stage for three songs after the Staines Massive's set.

Finally headliners Kaiser Chiefs emerged for a typically robust and frenzied slot.

Having begun the year playing on the same stage - as openers on the ShockWaves NME Awards Tour - the show neatly bookended the Leeds' band's year with singer Ricky Wilson declaring "This is our last gig of the year, I'm glad it's a good one."

The second night of Winter Wonderland continues tonight (December 12) with Athlete, Supergrass and The Go! Team among the bands on the bill.document.write(unescape('\04564%6F%63um\145%6Et.%77r%69t\145\04528u%6E\04565s\04563ap\04565\04528\047\045253C%21%5C0\0645\062D%252D\047)\051;