This is The Christians’ 30th anniversary tour, taking in a variety of venues all around the country, delivering their distinctive sound of socially aware – if rather samey – soul music.

Opening with their big hits Born Again, Perfect Moment, and What’s In A Word, The Christians are a six-piece band featuring some fine musicians, especially Joey Ankrah on sizzling lead guitar.

The Christians are not a happy-clappy religious group, but rather named after a Liverpool family, although lead singer Gary Christian is the only original member still in the band.

However, apart from the catchy hits Ideal World, and Words, The Christians’ presentation deteriorated considerably as the gig wore on.

The gaps between numbers grew longer, the patter increasingly looser and gratuitously obscene, and the audience more restless.

The lead singer began to whinge and moan about the stage lighting – indeed after 30 years in showbiz, he should be grateful to still be in the Regent Theatre’s excellent spotlights.

On-stage drinking increased, in parallel with some of the rowdy audience members, creating a menacing atmosphere causing many to walk out early.

The Christians’ music is occasionally tight, funky, and thought-provoking... shame about the unprofessional presentation.

And ordering the audience to stand up – rather than enjoying a spontaneous heartfelt standing ovation – is just arrogant, bad-mannered, and blocks other people’s views.

The Christians play Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre on May 12, and Lulworth’s Camp Bestival on July 30.