JLS

Odyssey Arena, Belfast Today/Tomorrow/Sun

(sold out); Wed/Thurs 8pm £32.50/£27.50 048-90739074; O2, Dublin Mon 8pm 39.60 0818-719300

The name is an acronym of Jack the Lad Swing, just in case you're asked it at the next pub quiz. And here's another one: who did JLS come runner-up to in the fifth series of X Factor?*

Proving that there is some shelf life after the often toe-curling (but pretty much compelling) reality entertainment show concludes, JLS might just be the real deal.

JLS formed in 2006 under a different name (UFO – Unique, Famous, Outrageous). Even watching them back in 2008, you could sense they gelled as people and singers while conforming to all the basic boyband principles. But y ou know when you’re being duped by opportunists (hello, Wagner), and JLS just didn’t come across like that.

Musically, the lads haven’t yet broken out of the straitjacket that is formulaic urban pop, but given half a chance they just might. In the meantime, they’re riding the crest of a wave and kicking off 2011 in fine urban teen-pop style.

*Alexandra Burke, duh!