All eyes were channelled on new Gladiators' addition Droop Lion, dressed like a high priest of reggae, as he physically lifted the crowd with a high energy performance that was utterly absorbing while at the same time totally giving.

The Gladiators came to recognition with 1976's Trenchtown Mix Up and Proverbial Reggae two years later, featuring songs such as Hearsay and Jah Works.

The intervening years has seen various changes in the line up but the reggae family has strong roots with founder member Albert Griffiths' sons Anthony and Alan now in the band and Droop, nephew of original member David Webber, on the mic.

Droop's performance was something special.

More than a front man he was a wall, totally obscuring the rest of the band.

With his Rasta football scarf swinging he drove home the lyric, his voice echoing the spirit of Albert Griffiths' vocal back in the 1970s.

The band were tight, the sound was sweet, and the harmonies as distinctive as ever.

Oldies such as Dreadlocks The Time Is Now were faithfully delivered along with material from the recent Back On Tracks album.

The Lion roared and it was good to hear that after 40 plus years The Gladiators are still fighting for freedom while retaining their strong musical identity.

Four stars