16 months! 16 months since the Tivoli closed its doors and was then not able to open them again until this show. It feels like forever. But hey ho, here we are, and after imposing seated limits on the Tiv that would have meant they couldn’t break even, the Welsh Government have allowed tonight’s show to go ahead unrestricted as a pilot. This means that everyone who came had to show proof of a negative lateral flow test taken within the last 24 hours, and also bring photo ID. Masks had to be worn whilst queuing outside the venue but once we were in it was business as usual. The queues for the bar were a bit epic, despite the staff working really hard, because I think people were just so glad to be back and were ready to really let go and enjoy themselves once they finally got served. Ooh and there are new carpets too, Tivoli you are spoiling us! So we’re back in the venue and we’ve finally got a drink, how about the music?

First band up These Wicked Rivers came onto a stage set with lamps and table cloths that put me in mind of a Texas bordello. This was kind of prescient because the moment I saw them I knew exactly what they would sound like and I wasn’t wrong. Beards, hair, hats with feathers, waistcoats, natty footwear –yup I had no idea where these guys were from but I guessed we were going to spend the next 20 minutes or so in the deep South. They may be from Derby but these guys know how to give us some dirty delta blues.They are the musical equivalent of gator on a stick.Now regular readers of my reviews will know that this is not my favourite genre but you know what? I could get used to it if it all sounded like this. There is a definite nod in the direction of early Blackfoot to these ears, and a touch of early ZZ Top as well. The packed crowd were very appreciative, and even the ‘Grumpy Husband’ wasn’t complaining out loud. This is what Lyrnyrd Skynyrd could sound like if they weren’t so bloody boring. I liked it.

Empyre – well I seem to be stalking them at the moment. When I first came across them a couple of years ago I have to admit that I didn’t get it, but the more I hear them (and see them, 3 times in the last 4 weeks!) the more I am coming to appreciate what they have to offer. This is not music to dance to. It’s beautifully crafted, complex, dark, soul-searching. This is not easy listening. It challenges your perceptions, demands your full concentration and engages your intellect. There is power, and complicated riffs weave in and out of the soaring vocals, and I’m beginning to really appreciate the experimental, almost jazz-like undertones. The only real issue I have with Empyre is that they are impossible to pigeonhole, and I can’t assign them a genre because they truly have an original sound.

On to headliners Those Damn Crows, another band currently at the top of their game and really making a name for themselves in wider circles. They bounce onto the stage and boom, provide us with a blistering set from the opening notes of crowd-pleaser ‘Who Did It’ to the last anthemic chants of ‘Rock & Roll Ain’t Dead!’. This band has definitely got “it”, and I’ve been trying to think of the words to describe exactly what “it” is. I’m struggling. Is it the catchy, energetic, upbeat songs? Well no because they can do slow powerful ballads like ‘Blink Of An Eye’ which starts with just piano and vocals. Are they breaking barriers and creating a totally original sound? Well no, not really that either, their songs are familiar in style but unique in content. They cross genres, rocking hard but also sometimes showing a softer side. They shy away from extremes but without becoming plodding or boring. I truly think that part of their appeal might just be their ordinariness. They appeal to the common man because they are the common man. Yes singer Shane is a powerhouse, with a great sense of humour, a fab voice and a habit of leaving the stage and climbing on bars, stairs, PAs, anything that’s there really, but at the same time you can look around the audience and it’s packed with Shanes, with Ronnies, with Davids, with Lloyds, with Shiners. They are special because they are not really that special. It’s a clever trick if you can do it! So what do we think will come next for The Damn Crows? Well, there’s a headline show at Cardiff Castle in the offing, a tour supporting The Wildhearts and, if there is any justice, a bright and successful future. But in the meantime they are here, we are here, Rock & Roll ain’t dead and a brilliant night was had by all.