It's 12:30am and I've just walked in and switched the computer on after an amazing evening.

Well, I didn't see anyone wearing the t-shirts and was too shy to wander round the pub asking if anyone was on the AAE mailing list. Out of interest, was it anyone here who was near the front with the digital camera?

Oh well. It was about 7:30 and the first band (Crazyhead) were on so I thought I should go in and not risk missing anything.

I remember them from the late 80's and thought they were quite fun in a retro punk sort of way. A strange choice to open I thought.

Well, it started to fill up down the front as the gear was changed over. I was standing about 20 feet back from the stage and very central. Anticipation was high (for me anyway) and as the time came round to about 8:15, the lights went out, the stage filled with smoke and blue lights and the cheers started as the intro to Phased played over the PA but with other noises and samples swirling in and out over the top.

The band walked on stage and kicked into Phased which sounded much better live than on record. First of all, the mystery fifth member was ex(?)-mission man Rik Carter. He played keyboards and acoustic guitar.

The sound was excellent and being completely sexist, I have to say Julianne looked simply stunning with her shoulder length hair and wearing a tight black knee length skirt and matching strap top (who's got the pictures?). I think she was nervous as her voice faltered a bit at times but she soon got into her stride.

Next up was Shelter From The Rain. They were starting to sound more confident as this went on and it was a beautifully atmospheric version (no Wayne though).

Third song was In The Clouds which really benefitted from the second acoustic guitar and really got the crowd starting to sing along. By this time Julianne really seemed to be getting into it and was moving around the stage a lot more than I seem to remember her doing in the past.

Her voice certainly hasn't suffered from such a long time away form the stage, sounding top notch. They then went straight into Strange Way. Not one of my favourites but sounded very good with the keyboard backing that Rik was playing and the crowd were really starting to get involve by this point with all the hands in the air and even some jumping around.

The area in front of the stage gradually filled up more and more as the set progressed which was great to see and each song was greeted with more cheering and applause than the one before.

After Strange Way (and Julianne's always very quite Thank You), a gentle keyboard intro to Are you Lonely came in. I was so happy they played this and it sounded stunning with excellent keyboard washes underneath the careful picking of Marty's guitar.

I have to say that never being a fan of his style before, I was surprised at how much better I thought he was playing this time. much more thoughtful and in the spirit of the song. The song built superbly as it does on CD and I even started to shut out the constant chatting of some people near me. Shame on you if it was anyone on the list.

Next was Freeze. Again, I thought this sounded much better live though it was a fairly pedestrian version, nothing special. I guess it's a song you either love or hate. The latter seemed prominant as there was more taling around me during this song than almost any other. Why people feel the need to do that I don't know. That's what the bar is for isn't it?

They then moved on to what I thought was a slightly slow version of What Kind Of Fool but I love the song so I'll forgive them. It did pick up a bit and sounded great with the acoustic guitar underpinning Marty's. Large proportions of the crowd were singing along to this as well which was nice.

Julianne then asked the crowd what they'd like to hear and complained of feeling like Jon Bon Jovi. Luckily someone shouted Every Angel (another of my favourites) and they went into a storming version which sounded superb with the added acoustic guitar and really rocked along. By this time, the crowd were with them all the way singing and dancing along.

The band seemed to be genuinly enjoying themselves too, especially Julianne who had a big smile on her face almost the whole time and like I said before was moving and dancing around the stage far more than I think I've seen her do before.

Then came a slight pause while Julianne strapped on a guitar before the acoustic guitar intro to Outshine The Sun started. And this is where words fail me. It turned into an absolutely stunning 8 minute version which had me hypnotised and stunned by the incredible energy of the swirling psychadelic feedback created by the two electric guitars and the constant rhythmic strumming of the acoustic. So much so that I just didn't want it to end. I wanted to feel that sound flowing around me forever but unfortunately it had to but what a superb way of ending the set.

And with Julianne saying how much she still loved us and their 45mins up, they walked off having done a superb job (if a little hesitant at first) and having really got the audience on their side.

The set was a great selection (though how about something off Scarlet next time maybe?) and very well put together, didn't sound dated at all. I hope they enjoyed it and felt as good as I did. If reaction at the other gigs matches what happened tonight, it's got to make them realise how much they are missed.

If it doesn't give them some incentive to do their own shows, I don't know what will. I honestly don't think they could have got a better reaction having been added at such short notice.

The Mission were brilliant too and no, Julianne didn't guest. Not even on Severina :o(

Maybe at one of the other shows she might. I'm very tempted to go up to Nottingham today just in case no other shows are forthcoming but for obvious reasons I can't really spare the cash at the moment. For those who are going, now that first night nerves are over, you're in for one hell of an experience and I envy you very much.

The set list in full:
Phased Shelter From The Rain In The Clouds Strange Way Are You Lonely Freeze What Kind Of Fool Every Angel Outshine The Sun

- Howard