TWENTY-SEVEN years on from the first SS60’s tour, the franchise shows no sign of slowing with yet another stellar line-up of acts.

Opening both halves of the show, and providing the musical backing for everyone was the marvellous Vanity Fare.

Long admired by their peers and fans for their professionalism and vocal harmonies, they too had a number of hits to perform; such as I Live For the Sun and Hitchin’ a Ride.

The previously mentioned harmonies were much in evidence on their accapella rendition of Billy Joel’s The Longest Time.

After a trio of songs, Brian Poole took to the stage to sing some of the hits he enjoyed when he was lead singer with The Tremeloes, such as I Want Candy and Someone Someone, finishing the set with the chart-topping Do You Love Me.

Next up was Chris Montez, who battled through a bad throat to sing his greatest hits like Some Kinda Fun before performing the more reflective songs in his repertoire including Call Me and The More I See You. Call Me in particular was interesting as it was very jazz influenced.

Chris finished his half-dozen song set with – of course – Let’s Dance.

The second half brought us Brian Hyland, whose lengthy set included the hits Ginny Come Lately, Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini and Sealed With a Kiss.

Strangely enough, he played all his biggest hits halfway through his set and, in a polished and no-nonsense manner, went on to play his versions of Whiter Shade of Pale and Jimi Hendrix’s All Along The Watchtower.

Up to that point, it had to be admitted that Hyland had been the best of the acts so far (although had Montez been fully fit I reckon he would have challenged that, but the best was yet to come.

The man we were all waiting for – Peter Noone – bounded on stage like someone much younger than his years, and his hometown crowd gave him a fantastic reception.

Peter has not lost his cheeky, boyish charm and his interraction with the audience endeared him further with the almost sell-out crowd.

His voice has lasted exceedingly well and the pitch does not seem to have lowered much like most do.

Most of the hits of Hermans Hermits were performed very much as we remembered them from the records.

Beginning with I’m Into Something Good, he also sang – amongst others – Silhouettes, No Milk Today, Sunshine Girl and My Sentimental Friend; before winding up proceedings with Something Is Happening and There’s a Kind of Hush.

However, I would have preferred She’s a Must to Avoid and Mrs Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter rather than The End of the World and Wonderful World.

The whole ensemble appeared for a brief finale before leaving the appreciative audience.

Another great line-up – can’t wait for next year’s show.