Fish, it seems, still has a boundless energy which carries him through a set of new classics and Marillion favourites, although he does bemoan the fact at one point in the evening that the band are fast approaching their 125th gig of the year and the laundry is piling up!

The apologetic Scot, pleading embarrassment at appearing at such a grandiose venue in torn jeans, banters with his audience on topics as diverse as TV porn, his hatred of pottery fairies and the art of controlling the remote control with your backside.

The comedy – and the putdowns of some of the livelier punters – acts as a prelude to the intense and multi-layered songs that make up much of the impressive new album, 13th Star. One minute Fish is playing the Jester, the next he is prowling the stage with menace.

Arc of the Curve is a powerfully moving window into the breakdown of romance, the crabby rhythms of Square Go and piano led musings of the besotted older guy on Zoe 25 highlight the maturity and relevance Fish still has to offer in the 21st Century.

New sits comfortably with the old – the intro tape of Rossini's La Gazza Ladra and set opener Slainte Mhath a nod to Fish's glory days with Marillion. Hotel Hobbies, That Time of the Night and Warm Wet Circles fitting neatly with solo favourites So Fellini and the wonderful Cliché.

There is even a heartstopping moment when guitarist Frank Usher peels off the first few bars of 17-minute Marillion epic Grendel, but all hopes are dashed by a snarled Scottish expletive.

It's the grand finale of Kayleigh and Lavender, with an encore of The Last Straw, which finally sees this healthy crowd get to its feet, a wave of nostalgia lifting those who remember these the first time round and have been there ever since.

GREG NIXON