REVIEW

Plymouth Pavilions

"Surely Thin Lizzy are past their sell-by date?" remarked a dinosaur friend when I revealed that I was digging out my rock chick garb for their Plymouth gig this week. "It could never be the same without Phil Lynott..."

Not the same, of course, but still valid, still vibrant, still some of the most stirring rock and roll anthems you'll ever have the privilege to hear, and with the bonus of some recently added sparkly bits. Shining alongside the solid and skilful foundation of guitar maestro Scott Gorham, drummer Brian Downey and keyboard player Darren Wharton, we were treated to the talents of Ricky Warwick (of The Almighty, pictured) on lead vocals and guitar, slinky bassist Marco Mendoza, and axe wizard Damon Johnson on trademark Lizzy twin guitar duty.

Together they delivered everything the weighty throng of fans wanted to hear – Jailbreak, Killer on the Loose, Dancing In The Moonlight, Whiskey In The Jar, Waiting For An Alibi and, naturally The Boys are Back In Town; the encore offered true Celtic spirit in Emerald, Rosalie and Black Rose.

Slick lights and streamlined smoke added extra glitz, while Ricky, taking centre stage, played it just right. He walked his own walk, but his timbre and timing were eerily – and comfortingly – familiar. And he showed his pride and respect with a couple of nods to the revered Mr Lynott.

It was top quality, life-affirming stuff; doctors should prescribe an annual Thin Lizzy show on the NHS for jaded rockers – they'd be guaranteed to get some of their mojo back. I'm first in the queue when the boys are back in town again.