Reviews

Still, this was the North’s chance to do their bit for a worthwhile good cause, so as the world outside dressed up as the obligatory witch for Hallowe’en, the crowd inside waited with baited breath for the tuneful trio’s own tricks and treats.

Without the big names of London, Finlay Brown and Milburn get the crowd going and ease the evening into gear. The sound of people talking pretty much drowns out both but the excitement builds and finally, after much waiting, a figure walks onstage to introduce Keane, sporting a cut out face hiding his true identity.

To everyone’s surprise, Peter Kay reveals himself to cheers and heckles. "I’d rather be at home watching Taggart," he jokes, as for the next 20 minutes he banters with the jeers thrown his way and leads the crowd in a rendition of Somewhere Only We Know, before Tom and the boys arrive to take over.

Crystal Ball kicks off proceedings, followed by rousing performances of Everybody’s Changing and Nothing In My Way, showcasing a band very much in control of their destiny again and on top form.

Which was particularly impressive as Tom was feeling ill. "I’m feeling propped up with enthusiasm," he remarked, before they turned into The Night Sky live for the first time ever.

As the evening drew on, the moods broke and Tom cut a lone shape, donning an acoustic guitar to perform Your Eyes Open before a deathly silent crowd, despite the fact that it’s obvious he’s struggling.

Finally, it all got too much for him and after A Bad Dream, the band give in to Tom’s requests and with a shake of his head, they leave.

So it’s left to Peter Kay to return and spread the bad news of there definitely being no encore, deflecting the few dissenting voices with a simple "I bet you all ring in sick, don’t you!"

And while it does leave a bit of disappointment in the air, the truth is that it was still a fine performance from one of the best bands around and, at the end of the day, it was all for charity after all.