By Michael Casey

IT MUST always be a worry for any act when their gig is timed at the same time as an England game in the European Championships. But there was a very healthy crowd to see the ELO Experience on Saturday.

The crowd were treated to two hours of great entertainment by the tribute act.

This reviewer had seen Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the O2 recently and can fairly say that this act paid fitting tribute to the work of the great songsmith.

We were especially leased to see so many of the numbers form the 1979 Discovery album get an airing, especially the wonderful Day in the Life pastiche “Diary of Horace Wimp: with a wonderful Lego video.

The band also managed to accurately replicate the sound of certain numbers, especially the Move-esque 10538 Overture.

The placing of numbers was very well thought out especially playing Wild West Hero and Across the Border together.

But at its centre was the top quality musicianship. Th band are led by Andy Louis. Despite the fact that he looks a little bit like Barry Gibb impersonating Jeff Lynne, he brought humour, warmth and energy to “the role” He was ably assisted by a very tight band with drummer Pete Smith replicating the big drum sound very well.

We must also mention the string section who replicated that key sound very well as well as having a blast.

The audience loved the concert (especially the day-goo sticks) and many would welcome seeing the ELO Experience again.