Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. July 2007.

For many current bands, the prospect of touring without the aid of a new album to promote would be daunting.

Not so the Stranglers, because for J.J. Burnell, Jet Blac, Dave Greenfield and Baz Warne just to play in front of their loyal fan base is enough.

Coming on stage to their traditional entrance music, Waltz in Black, they proceeded to thrill the audience by opening the set with the rampaging Toiler On The Sea and Spectre Of Love, the latter from their now classic Suite XVI.

With a collection of songs going back 30 years there is always going to be some favourites omitted but with classics like Peaches, Always The Sun and Golden Brown nobody was going to complain.

J.J. Burnel dedicated the Johnny Cash-inspired I Hate You to “George, or any one you hate.”

The set was rounded of by a stunning version of All Day And All Of The Night and the missed London Lady.

Encores of Dagenham Dave and fan favourite No More Heroes rounded off an excellent evening.

Ian D. Hall