DEL Amitri may have been away for two years but when it came to their triumphant return to the Manchester Academy no one could accuse them of Not Being Where It's At.

It began with Suckers Parade, the title track from their new album, and from then on the pace never let up.

From guitar orientated sets to their ballad ridden back catalogue Justin Currie and his band kept the packed Manchester audience enthralled.

And for someone who has not been to a small venue like the academy for years to see a band it was like going back to basics - a simple set, jostling crowd but brilliant songs and charismatic and committed performers.

They certainly didn't disappoint and it was great to hear numbers from their acclaimed second album Waking Hours such as Stone Cold Sober and When I Want You as well as new stuff from Some Other Sucker's Parade.

Over five albums Del Amitri have produced some excellent pop songs and although they have a strong and committed following it's a wonder why they don't make more of a dent in the charts.

And at the end of two hours a very sweaty Justin summed it all up - when he said they'd had a great time and lost pounds in weight! Michele Bowker

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.