There’s something kind of comforting about watching a band you first saw perform live 18 years ago. You look the same, sound the same; they look the same, sound the same - only with beards and a degree of dadness about them. You liked them a lot back then and you like them nearly as much now, although the edge that won them the Mercury Prize in 1998 may not be as sharp as it once was. 

Ben Ottewell’s rootsy Americana vocals have lost none of their power, still sending shivers down the spine, and despite the brogues and sensible clothing, these guys still rock hard.

Gomez played a mixed set of tracks from their slew of albums over the years, adding a twist to the favourites from their debut (and best) album Bring It On, layering on rocky guitar in spades and emphasising the electronica element.

Most of the band members have ongoing solo projects now, but the camaraderie which has kept them together all this time remains pleasingly obvious. 

The talented multi-instrumentalists and vocalists delivered a rousing set which went down particularly well in their hometown, with devoted fans singing along with gusto to Get Myself Arrested and swaying misty eyed to a gravelly Tijuana Lady.

Ben, Ian Ball and Tom Gray clearly enjoyed stretching out instrumentally on stage with some tongue-in-cheek stadium rock endings, and an encore which included Whippin’ Piccadilly and Get Miles marked a triumphant end to the night.