FRONTMAN Adam Duritz showed no effects of the flu which forced Counting Crows to cancel several UK shows last week.

One of the US’s biggest rock acts received an enthusiastic reception from a large crowd when they played Newcastle’s 02 Academy last night. Their appearance follows last year’s release of their fifth studio album Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings. Counting Crows formed in San Francisco in 1991, going on to sell more than 20 million albums worldwide.

The opening numbers of the band’s set included Sullivan Street, Holiday in Spain and When I Dream of Michelangelo.

■ For a full review of last night’s gig see tomorrow’s Northern Echo.