Sinnerboy - The Brook, Southampton

THIS tribute to the late Rory Gallagher produced an electric atmosphere at a bulging Brook, from the shattering Shinkicker to the belligerent Bullfrog Blues.

As the two guys either side of me, who had both seen Rory live, put it: "This is the next best thing to seeing Rory himself."

Well, you won't see that again -more's the pity - but this stunning trio led by the affable Barry Barnes is one of the best tribute bands I've seen and I'm sure the rocking Rory would have approved.

Barry worked his socks off, using a total of six guitars to reproduce the best of Rory, belting out songs like Walk On Hot Coals, Wayward Child and, of course, Sinnerboy with gusto, aided by Dave Burns on bass and Steve Richardson on drums.

Barry was simply amazing on both acoustic and electric guitars as he reproduced those bluesy, rocky anthems, and the crowd response was ecstatic.

Simply exhilarating!