New Model Army
Leeds Metropolitan University

The Metropolitan University was the venue for a triumphant return to West Yorkshire by Bradford rock legends New Model Army, right.

The band's supporters turned out in force to welcome back Bradford's finest and they did not disappoint.

Ably supported by young upstarts New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack, New Model Army took to the stage to a deafening roar of approval.

In truth, in front of the faithful the Army couldn't really put a foot wrong, but this was not a band resting on its laurels or going through the motions.

The introduction of a new guitarist seems to have rejuvenated them and there was a real sense of the band themselves having fun. Justin Sullivan, looking for all the world like a wild-eyed shaman or Old Testament wilderness prophet held the crowd in the palm of his hand.

Despite numerous technical hitches with lights and numerous broken strings - "more than I've broken all ******* tour" - he seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself, especially while trading riffs with new recruit Marshall.

The band played several songs from new album High, including the title track, but there was more familiar material on offer also.

The biggest cheers of the night were reserved for the seething menace of The Hunt, one of several songs from Ghost of Cain which got an airing; Vagabonds and, as a final encore, the exquisite Green and the Grey.

Sullivan announced this last song by saying that the band never felt any pressure to play a particular song anywhere, but when in Yorkshire they had to play Green and the Grey.

It was the perfect end to the evening.

Earlier in the set Sullivan made wry reference to the band's aborted US tour following visa problems. "If we're the 51st state," he quipped, "why won't they let us in the country?"

A hugely enjoyable evening that will last long in the memory.