The songwriting skills of frontman Ryan Tedder have largely contributed to the success of songs such as Counting Stars, I Ain't Worried, and I Don't Wanna Wait, which have become staples in the charts and on the radio over the last fifteen years.

Tedder comes with an impressive CV; he has co-written or written songs from Paul McCartney to Ozzy Osbourne. Check out the songwriting credits on many an Adele, Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran album, and you will be most likely to see his name there. Beyonce’s Halo and the Leona Lewis breakthrough number one single Bleeding Love all come from the Tedder songbook, a fact that he was eager to emphasise during an engaging and at times personable performance at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, which forms part of their current Escape to Europe tour.

Fittingly, their influences are more attuned to this side of the Atlantic – Tedder readily conceded that Manchester bands had been a big influence on him, including Elbow, who come from just up the road in Bury. With the Oasis track Don’t Look Back in Anger belting out of the speakers as the band took to the stage, the inclusion appeared a natural fit.

As he, along with the rest of the band, failed to let the energy levels drop, Tedder reminded the audience of a piece of advice an unnamed artist had given him: “Always give your best, as there will be some members in the audience for whom this will be their first ever concert, whilst for others it may be their last.” True to his word, tonight was memorable, magnetic and majestic – few would have failed to be impressed by this show of craftsmanship and cohesion of popular music.

Hearing the stories behind the songs he had composed for the band and other artists added a personable touch, often humble but delivered with sincerity and a genuine appreciation.

Secrets benefited from the inclusion of a string arrangement, adding a melancholy side to the song; the ballad Stop and Stare made the vast arena feel more intimate, whilst the song that kickstarted his and the band’s career – Apologize – was simple, subtle, and sensual yet still hit the bullseye. Apart from the occasional confetti cannon, special effects were kept to a minimum – they were never needed in appearance where the music itself was centre stage.

The choruses were catchy, and the mood was uplifting as the medley of Calling (Lose My Mind) and If I Lose Myself rounded off a night where this particular republic seemed far from broken.