It took a while, but Mr Sutherland finally made it back to the O2 in Bournemouth and it turned out to be well worth the wait.

Even more so as this time around he was accompanied by the wonderful Sari Schorr.

A support act on this occasion but well worth the price of admission in her own right.

Bournemouth Echo: Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages (Image: Rockstarimages)

Sari played an excellent set that went down a treat with a sizeable crowd that had made the smart choice and arrived in time to catch the show.

Her set was full of the blues that have seen her deliver storming sets the world over and should see her go from strength to strength and on to much greater things.

Bournemouth Echo: Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages (Image: Rockstarimages)

In case you missed Sari this time around you should make every effort to catch her just up the road at the Lighthouse in Dec. You will not be disappointed.

What seems like a lifetime ago Kiefer took to the stage here at the O2 for the briefest of moments to tell the crowd that he had Covid and would not be able to perform, rounding off with a promise to return.

Bournemouth Echo: Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages (Image: rockstarimages.co.uk)

Both Kiefer and the crowd were understandably disappointed, but it looks like everyone kept hold of their tickets and made it back here tonight. And what a great night it was!

We were treated to a mixture of country, Honky Tonk and rock making for a rousing night of music, fun and most of all a celebration of being able to get back on the road and into venues like this.

Bournemouth Echo: Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages (Image: rockstarimages.co.uk)

The show contained songs from Down in a Hole, Reckless and Me and Bloor Street so covered a wide range of Kiefer’s recorded output from 2016 right up to the present.

The interaction with the crowd continued throughout the night and provided an entertaining commentary on the songs, how they came about and what they meant to Kiefer personally.

Bournemouth Echo: Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages Kiefer Sutherland at the 02 Academy Bournemouth. Picture: Rockstarimages (Image: rockstarimages.co.uk)

Starting with Ole' Lonely Life and Can't Stay Away and increasing the tempo right through to Bloor Street, County Jail Gate and Ways to Be Wicked this was a perfectly paced show that culminated in a two-song encore of Friday Night and Agave.

It may have been nearly a year but it was definitely worth the wait.