大象传媒

Indeed, if this is the reply, then the question must have been pretty tricky. The Answer are one of the success stories of recent years, poster boys for the campaign of marrying talent with hard work and a bit of risk-taking, their rise taking them from wherever would have them to ginormous stadiums at the personal invitation of some of the legends of music. But they remember their roots - you can still see them at local gigs watching friends, drinking in local bars, and tonight they're going to clear all our cobwebs (and their own), before jetting off to conquer the US of A.

The impressively packed Spring & Airbrake acclaims them from opener 'Come Follow Me', albeit the older crowd is a touch more restrained than the kids would be, but they promise us "a good night ...of straight up rock and roll". It's your classic four man line-up, playing classic rock, influenced by all the classics. Of course, your contemporary fashionista and indie-kid in thrall to punk and its various offspring would be disgusted by what they would view as excesses, but there's no flab here, and, quite frankly, stuff their views. Besides, the funky little bass in 'Never Too Late' can stand measure with anything your punk-funksters can muster.

Of course your ears are drawn to Cormac's voice - how couldn't they be? It's one of the classic blues rock and roll voices, particularly in the modern era, a real weapon and instrument in its own right, belting out the numbers as he dances around like a madman. 'On And On' previews their forthcoming album, and on this basis, it's more of the same, big hooks, riffs and a chorus that you can sing (albeit badly). 听'Under The Sky' begins with a pounding rhythm before a harmonica lures, or rather drags us in, and that's before the vocals, and inevitable singalong, kick in.

Finishing the regular set with 'Preachin', a sea of hands greets this stompy old blues number, with our minister joining his congregation, as we sing along to this hymn. It's honest, unpretentious populist music for people left disaffected by the posing and fake socio-political claims made by so many who would sneer at this unashamed image-unconscious display of joy. Of course, there's an encore - how couldn't there be? It's as celebratory as ever, and they ask not to forget them while they go off across the Atlantic - lucky Yanks.

William Johnston