As they reach the stage to an amused cheer, the shadow boxing continues yet once the amps are plugged in, any resemblance to an underdog is quickly forgotten –– the Scottish rockers already have their opponents on the ropes.

Selfish Jean is a winning up-tempo opener which helps the crowd forget a rather untimely downpour prior to the foursome's unorthodox entrance which proceeded an ample appetiser from support band The Hours.

Promoting their new album The Boy With No Name, they follow up with new track Eyes Wide Open –– while there is still room for the songs that made the band a household name at the tail end of the Britpop era.

Driftwood, Writing to Reach You and Turn are all belted out with the conviction of a band who know they have their audience captivated.

Yet while the band is tightly knit and an accomplished unit, it is singer Fran Healy who steals the limelight with a touching array of vocals coupled with an enthusiastic swagger as he thrashes every last decibel out of his acoustic guitar.

Between hits there is a friendly openness with the crowd, as Healy turns down a marriage proposal and exchanges banter with the front pit.
Highlights are from the albums that made Travis –– classics like Slide Show and Side are only topped by a busking version of Flowers in the Window where Healy's voice bristles with angst as he steps up for the encore.

As natural light fades the special illuminations lend a colourful backdrop for the closing scene.

Sing (a song about Healy encouraging his wife to sing in public) is immediately greeted with cheers by a loyal crowd who are not let down by a band who would never let the familiarity of touring stale this passionate performance.

The mandatory and majestic Why Does it Always Rain on Me? concludes the night for a stream of satisfied music lovers pogoing back to the car park as the lights go out and normality is once more restored to Sherwood Pines.

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And click here to see a Chad Slideshow of photographs from the gig.