“IT’S good to be back at the seaside,” said Kelly Jones as his band neared the end of this triumphant return and judging by the regularity of their visits, it’s a surprise the boys don’t have their own beach hut.

But on the evidence of this show – to support new album Keep Calm and Carry On – they can come back as often as they like.

Just over two years ago, I thought their show at the BIC was lacklustre, lacking in power. This show was everything that night was not, with the energy levels ramped up to the max, the sound perfect, the lights and backdrop eye-popping and Kelly’s rasping vocals on the mark throughout.

The packed crowd was promised old and new and the opening salvo lived up to the promise, with newbie Trouble blazing a hard rocking trail to 1,000 Trees and Kelly mixed them up through a tremendously fast-paced two hours, half the new album getting an airing amongst so many favourites.

Uppercut, Innocent and I Got Your Number were delivered with as much commitment as Bartender and the Thief, Superman and a loose, singalong Have a Nice Day and the crowd was loving every minute of it.

That enjoyment was clearly shared by the band as Kelly and guitarist Adam Zindawi traded smiles and licks, while Richard Jones and Xavier Weyler pounded away on bass and drums respectively.

This was all tight stuff too, with barely a solo outstaying its welcome, but while the rockers had the crowd jumping, a stunning Maybe Tomorrow, Mr Writer and a lovely Bright Red Star showed that the band could slow things up to immense effect.

Kelly may not the most communicative frontman in rock, but he manages to inspire respect and devotion in equal measure from fans who clearly just can’t get enough.