Elbow are the band that quietly took over the world as they hope to prove with two gigs at the O2 this month.

If global domination is slightly stretching the point, they have unquestionably become one of the nations’ most loved and successful bands.

But it hasn’t happened overnight.

Hailing from Bury, there was none of the instant adulation that nearby Mancunians Oasis received when they burst onto the scene.

But while Liam Gallagher starts at square one with his new band Beady Eye, Elbow’s lead singer Guy Garvey and bandmates will revel in their new-found status as national treasures at the O2 on March 28 and 29.

It follows on from the critical and commercial success of 2008’s Mercury award-winning album The Seldom Seen Kid and will allow them to showcase their latest - Build A Rocket Boys!, including single Neat Little Rows.

Their humble beginnings shine through in their music, particularly on album track Jesus Is A Rochdale Girl based on a poem Garvey wrote to his first love.

But there shouldn’t be any fears that they won’t rise to the occasion.

Previous performances at Glastonbury show that anthems such as One Day Like This and Grace Under Pressure are tailor-made for big crowds.

Visit the o2.co.uk for tickets.