Rage Against The Machine paid tribute to their UK fans a they performed a free gig in London tonight (June 6).

The concert, in Finsbury Park, was held in celebration of their successful Christmas number one bid last year, which ended TV talent show The X Factor’s five-year dominance of the festive chart.

The US band's 1992 hit ‘Killing In The Name’ topped the countdown following a fan campaign started on Facebook.

The fairytale story was at the forefront of the band's set, which began with a mock video message from an animated Simon Cowell.

The X Factor judge ridiculed the group’s success, before telling the crowd: "I give you the world’s greatest rock and roll band ever...Rage Against The Machine."

Opening their set with 'Testify', the band, led by Zack de la Rocha, were relentless throughout.

Alluding to their successful chart campaign, De la Rocha introduced ‘Bulls On Parade’ with the line: “They weren’t ready for you at Christmas, were they?”

The energetic set, which powered an already motivated crowd, also included the favourites ‘Know Your Enemy’, ‘Township Rebellion’ and ‘Bullet In The Head’.

But it was the story of Rage’s successful chart bid that stole the show.

“It’s my distinct pleasure to bring out a couple of people who had a good idea,” De la Rocha said midway into the group’s set, before introducing Jon and Tracy Morter, the couple who started the Facebook campaign last December.

The band then presented the pair with a cheque, which acknowledged the money their efforts had raised for the homeless charity, Shelter.

“They were the David to the X Factor Goliath,” guitarist Tom Morello said.

The group then paid tribute to the UK’s punk ethos, launching into a cover of The Clash’s ‘White Riot’, which was followed by a string of hits.

As the band left for an encore, the audience jeered as Joe McElderry’s ‘The Climb’ - the song denied the top spot by the group last Christmas - was played over the speakers.

But those boos soon turned to cheers as Rage returned to close their set with ‘Killing In the Name’, which inspired the gig's biggest crowd response.

The gig also featured performances from support acts Gogol Bordello, Roots Manuva and Gallows.

(by Jason Gregory)