THEY are one of the biggest breakthrough bands of the year, selling out shows across Europe and the USA.

So drinkers in a west Oxfordshire pub could be excused for wondering what exactly Palace were doing playing in their bar.

The London four-piece, who have received rapturous receptions at Glastonbury and Reading festivals and next year play a tour culminating at the iconic Shepherd’s Bush Empire, delighted an audience of less than 100 at the Fox Inn, in Great Barrington, near Burford, on Saturday night.

The 40-minute free show, performed in front of a roaring fire, went down well with regulars and devotees of the band alike.

The extra-intimate show was organised by Shortlist magazine.

Barmaid Summer Lancaster, 40, said: "It was amazing. To be honest, I hadn't heard of Palace before, but they won me over – and everyone else.

"They wanted to play in a proper country pub and we fitted the bill, with a good mix of interesting people and locals.

"The pub has never seen anything like it before."

The band have just released their debut album So Long Forever – a soulful album for of songs about heartbreak, family ructions, death and destructive relationships.

For frontman Leo Wyndham, the show offered a chance to show off the songs, following what he describes as a painful break-up.

He said: "I now have this sense of freedom, creatively. When you suddenly find yourself on your own again out of a long relationship, it's nice to be able to channel everything into the music. It helps a lot."