A swelling orchestral track and sweeping red velvet lights preceeded Gene's entrance on stage, suitably setting the mood to one of lush glamour and camp extravagance. With a brief introduction from Martin Rossiter, the band launched into a slightly muddy first number. Fortunately the sound technicians jumped in and improved the PA, making the sound crisper and clearer, but still on the whole quiet and badly balanced.

Gene are one of those bands that shine particularly brightly live. Although their recorded output can also inspire (particularly the epic grandeur of songs like "Olympian" and "London Can You Wait"), live, they excel. Martin Rossiter puts in an energetic and committed performance, voice rich and accomplished and also capable of impressive growls and roars, such as those in the chorus of "For The Dead". Guitarist Steve Mason, sporting a rather fetching bob, also adds visual appeal to Gene's live outings, every inch the rock god guitar hero. With the drummer on a four-foot high pedestal, the band provide good spectacle. Rossiter makes a damn good frontman; mixing camp between-song banter with balancing-on-the-monitor antics. During a particularly powerful "Sleep Well Tonight", for instance, he made a soujourn into the audience, then found it impossible to get back on stage, having to enlist security and fans alike to assist him. Stuff like this makes live shows memorable and personal, and should be applauded (it was).

The set was top stuff - a 50-50 mix of old and new. Of the old, "Left Handed", "London Can You Wait" and "Olympian" were stellar - uplifting and emotional classics. New songs also sounded promising. As well as the new single "Fighting Fit" - an angry and rocking piece of power pop - the slow march of "The Accidental" and the swooning waltz "Why I Was Born" stood out, exemplifying a band maturing and diversifying, with much to offer.

A couple of encores - the best of which was the slow piano-backed croon of "Drawn To The Deep End" - then they were away, Rossiter thanking his "handsome flock" for their support and appreciation. With very strong new material and a live presence most bands could never hope to come close to, Gene deserve to be huge.