The Wonder Stuff in concert at the Boiler Shop, Newcastle

Boiler Shop, Newcastle

Anyone wondering if The Wonder Stuff were still capable of delivering a blistering live set need wonder no more - they were simply wonderful.

The Stuffies put a rocket under an adoring crowd at the Newcastle Boiler Shop at the start of the rockers' latest tour.

If you haven't seen a concert at the Boiler Shop before, then you should - it's a brilliant venue.

This historic building was once home to Robert Stephenson & Company. It was the first company in the world created specifically to build railway engines, including the famed Stephenson's Rocket, in the Forth Street workshop.

As a result, the cavernous space is perfect to showcase live music - and The Wonder Stuff took full advantage.

Charismatic frontman Miles Hunt - whose standout vocals have lost none of their power - sauntered onto the stage and soon had the crowd in the palm of his hands.

This tour marks the 30th anniversary of 'Construction for the Modern Idiot', an album overlooked and unloved for many years by Hunt, largely because the Stuffies split up shortly after its release.

The Wonder Stuff played the Construction for the Modern Idiot almum in its entirelt at the Boiler Shop, Newcastle (Image: ANDREW WHITE)

But it contains some cracking tunes, most of which have never been performed live and is certainly ripe for a revisit.

The first part of the show consisted of Construction being played in full. The crowd responded most enthusiastically to the album's singles - 'Hot Love Now!', 'Full of Life (Happy Now)', and 'On the Ropes' - but there were other highlights.

The glorious and soaring 'Swell' - the single that never was - had the crowd properly jumping. It was never released as a single, owing to the band's split, but surely it should have been.

"I think this could have been a massive hit," Hunt told the crowd. It's hard to disagree.

Periodically popping throat pastilles, Hunt peppered his performance with witty asides, demonstrating what a consummate artist he really is.

After a 15-minute break, the band returned to play a selection of their biggest and best-known hits from their long career.

I was particularly taken by 'Caught In My Shadow', 'The Size of a Cow' and my personal favourite 'A Wish Away' - but in truth they were all bangers, showcasing the band's incredible back catalogue.

Hunt's mastery was displayed again at the end of the set with another crowd-pleaser -  'Give Give Give Me More More More', after which he got the entire audience to chant the chorus.

"It's such an obvious way to get you to call for an encore," he said. "I don't know why it's taken us 37 years to think of it."

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Bounding back onto the stage, they ended with a rousing rendition of their first single 'Unbearable' - "back to where it all started," said Hunt - and a stomping version of 'Ten Trenches Deep', which showed off the considerable talents of The Wonder Stuff's superb violinist Erica Nockalls.

This was a buoyant show full of verve, vim and vitality, backed up by superb musicianship and unforgettable tunes.

Did I leave wanting more more more? You bet I did.