Fresh from reaching the final of the Isle of Wight Festival's New Blood competition, Garcia opened proceedings at The 100 Club. Stephen "Woodie" Wood immediately caught the eye in a pair of striking polka-dot flares, but it was the music that quickly commanded attention.

With the recent departure of their keyboard player, the band have returned to their original power-trio format. If anything, the stripped-back lineup places even greater emphasis on Carlos Garcia's guitar work, while highlighting the strong understanding between Wood's bass and Filipp "Fil" Krisan's drums. The jaunty 'Coming Down For You' showcased Krisan's versatility behind the kit, while 'How Can I Love' and 'Everything You Want' demonstrated the band's growing confidence and cohesion. There was little sense of a group still finding its feet; instead, Garcia sounded increasingly comfortable with their identity.

The headline act, The Sensational Alex Harvey Experience, are widely regarded as one of the finest tributes on the circuit, and from the moment frontman Andy Massie strode onstage in Alex Harvey's trademark black-and-white striped shirt, it was clear they understood both the music and the theatre of the original band.

While no tribute can entirely recreate the danger and unpredictability that surrounded the original Sensational Alex Harvey Band, SAHE compensate with enthusiasm, humour and an obvious affection for the material. Opening with 'Faith Healer', they quickly settled into a set packed with favourites including 'Midnight Moses', 'St. Anthony', 'The Return of the Tomahawk Kid', 'N.E.X.T.', 'Isobel Goudie' and 'Framed'.

Massie proved an engaging ringmaster throughout, mixing the songs with plenty of banter and costume changes, including the appearance of a pirate's hat during one particularly entertaining passage. Guitarist Brian Cartwright, sporting the familiar Pierrot-style face paint associated with Zal Cleminson, captured much of the spirit of the original guitarist, delivering crunchy riffs and expressive solos while avoiding mere imitation.

The set reached its climax with a rousing 'Boston Tea Party', prompting a mass singalong from an audience who clearly knew every word. The customary rendition of 'Delilah' followed, complete with the delightful stage routine made famous by Chris Glen and Zal Cleminson, as bassist Nelson McFarlane and guitarist Rob Jones tiptoed, strutted and swung across the stage to appreciative laughter.

For the finale came the song that Alex Harvey fans traditionally avoid naming beforehand. By the time its familiar chorus arrived, the crowd needed no encouragement. Judging by the reaction inside the packed 100 Club, the evening ended far sooner than many would have liked.

Ivan De Mello