Band of Skulls

The three-piece alternative rock band played a spectacular set demonstrating how far they have come on the journey from humble beginnings in the city and just how much they love coming back.

The passionate crowd, many who were close friends from the early days, savoured every moment at a hard-hitting, yet mature performance.

And fans had the chance to relive the milestone gig by the getting their hands on a limited edition CD of the 90-minute show as they flooded out through the doors into the night.

The atmosphere was building for their much-anticipated appearance which is the second date on their six part UK tour promoting their new album Himalayan.

The band was delighted to see sizeable hometown support with guitarist Russell Marsden telling the audience: “You’re making us very happy.

“This is something we have been looking forward to for the whole year.”

The stage backdrop was blindingly lit with seven huge lights which when shrouded in smoke created a mysterious atmosphere with Russell dressed head to toe in black and bassist Emma Richardson, sporting a sparkling silver and black top standing at opposite ends of the stage.

“It’s a very surreal night for us,” said Russell.

“It always is when we come back to our home town.”

Long build-ups before exploding into their trademark heavy riffs held the crowd in suspense as they displayed their versatile style of rock and roll which has gained them worldwide plaudits.

Staying true to their roots they performed much of their back catalogue launching into Light of the Morning from their debut album Baby Darling Doll Faced Honey with fellow tracks Patterns and Death by Diamonds and Pearls – followed by a screeching guitar solo.

This continued with The Devil Takes Care of his Own and Sweet Sour from their second album of the same name.

Latest tracks Brothers and Sisters and their penultimate song of the night Hoochie Coochie also received rapturous applause.

But the biggest cheer was for a rousing rendition of Hollywood Bowl wrapping up the night on a high.

Among their last words were: “We’ve been Band of Skulls, your Band of Skulls” and it genuinely felt like they meant it.

Earlier support band Bo Ningen caused pandemonium when they stormed off the stage half-way through their set.

The long-haired four-piece Japanese acid punk group were just two songs into their performance when they upped and left amid screeching feedback.

There was confusion as to whether the band, whose theatrics included swinging guitars over their heads and drummer spitting drink into the air were doing it for the act.

But one of the members said afterwards it was down to “problems with equipment”.