Was last night perfect or what? I don't know if it was the venue (a very pleasant and airy long room with so much glass in its high ceiling that both Julianne and Marty were moved to comment on how strange it was to play an indoor gig in daylight!), or the fact that the band seemed to be enjoying playing so much. Either way, it all added to to a hugely entertaining evening that was more than worth the 150-mile round trip.

Accompanying me was my friend Annie, who, although a being a fan of the band since their heyday, had previously never had the opportunity to see them live before. Aside from wanting to worship at Marty's high altar by the end of the gig, she continually commented upon Julianne's singing, which she thought was amazing. She was hugely impressed by the gig, and is desperate to go again. Another convert to the cause!

I have to say that last night's gig was the funniest of the ones I've been able to attend. At one point, Marty requested the lights to be altered until they were 'sexy'. After a range of differing hues of purples and blues had been projected upon him, he felt moved to declare...'suddenly I feel gorgeous'. You've got to love him, haven't you? And when Marty and Andy's banter seemed to go on for an eternity, Julianne slipped away to the rear of the stage and began to hide inside a large beach-bag, tucking her head away.

Interestingly, if 'Are You Lonely' is next on the set-list, she always disappears into the darkness if there's any banter going on, presumably to compose herself into the appropriate mood to deliver the song. It's good thinking because it always seems to work. Last night's version was just breathtaking. Time kind of stands still for me during that song.

I've heard some fans comment that the banter goes on too long sometimes. This can be true if you're itching for them to play the next track. Personally, and I hope most people feel this way, I feel it really adds to the entertainment value of the gig, especially when it's as spontaneous and as humorous as last night's. The only occasion on which I would want it shortened is if they were pushed for time and had to drop a song or two because the talking had gone on too long. Thankfully, this doesn't seem to be a problem.

Is it me, or when 'Martha's Harbour' is played, has anyone else felt that the audience becomes that tiny bit more attentive? Even the opening bars were applauded last night. In all likelihood, it is out of respect for what will always be considered by the mainstream as their most famous song. The applause at the end always seems to be a couple of decibels higher as well. Quite right too. Even after all these years, this track still possesses the beauty to demand everyone's attention, especially when performed live in an intimate setting. Timeless songs will retain that quality forever, no matter what fashions and fad come and go in the meantime.

Did anyone go to room 451 at the Broadway afterwards??! We actually drove past it on our way out of Morcambe, with Annie panting at the window for me to stop the car! My explanation that he would be at the venue for a good while yet didn't seem to matter!

Good to meet a few of the listers at long last...Steve Nash, Derek, Ian and Deanne. Howard, an absolute pleasure, sir! See you again no doubt. It only added to the good feeling surrounding the whole night.

However, a very strange thing happened at the end of the evening. As we made our way around the back of the market to the car park, not far from the railway tracks, a lady in a very old style of clothing approached us. She was asking for her husband, and if we had seen him. We said we hadn't, and that we'd been to a concert in the Station Buildings. She seemed a bit confused by this, saying there was no room in there to hold such an event. It was only when she told us her name was Patience Glass that the encounter made sense. Spooky. Those at the gig will know what this means, and will know the difference between lies and the truth!

Chris Owen