Robbie McIntosh has played the world's top venues with its leading stars (McCartney, Tom Jones, Pretenders), but here he was at the Tivoli on his own.

Well, not exactly alone as he was surrounded by an excellent band of five seasoned musicians - experienced drummer Paul Beavis, renowned percussionist Jody Linscott, Weymouth's Steve Wilson on bass, keyboard player Steve Smith and Pete Hope-Davis on harmonica.

This was the ultimate sideman stepping into the spotlight and that's not always a sideman's natural environment.

But McIntosh absolutely smashed this evening, relying almost wholly on his own compositions in a near two-hour set.

He may not look like a guitar hero - more Harold Bishop from Neighbours than Jimi Hendrix - and he's not a natural frontman by any means, but this was exceptional stuff.

Drawing on a tracks from a series of albums, including the yet-to-be released Persona Non Grata, his strong set resounded best when the band got into a groove, working beautifully together.

At times, however, it was enough just to witness at close hand a guitar god in full flow, a privilege to be in the audience.

And, talking of god, McIntosh's vocals were indeed a bit reminiscent of Clapton.

It may have been a bit ragged between songs, but this was very much about the guitar - and we're lucky to have the best player living here in the county.

Sterling support came from seasoned Dorset blues rock veterans Red River Hogs.