Last updated 16:07, Wednesday, 03 September 2008

THE last time It Bites graced our town as a headline act was in 1987 at the Sports Centre, so to say this gig was long overdue is a bit of an understatement.

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stage pride: John Beck plays in his hometown

Twenty one years on (the 18th time I have seen them) but the band still deliver the classic It Bites sound.

Where else could you get a Mirehouse lad, Hensingham dude and the bass guitarist from Take That on the same stage?

And to top it all off, John Mitchell, was a perfect front man for this group of awesome musicians.

We had songs from the brilliant new CD Tall Ships (already receiving critical acclaim) as well as the first two albums, but sadly nothing from the 1989 Eat Me In St Louis album.

A well balanced set list delivered with the tightness and ultra professionalism that is It Bites.

The band seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the gig but not as much as the couple of hundred who turned out the see their heroes.

Can't finish without a word about John Beck – the Mirehouse lad who done good.

John is It Bites. He exudes pride while on stage and delivers some intricate work, work that more famous musicians who would struggle to compete with.

A very talented keyboardist who has found a new musical soulmate in John Mitchell.

Neil Goodwin