A jubilant atmosphere radiated around Concorde 2 as vintage rockers The Sonics rolled back the years with an energising performance of new and old material.

Apart from a slight line-up change and a few grey hairs, it’s difficult to tell The Sonics have been around for over half a century. Notable artists such as Nirvana and Bruce Springsteen cited them as a major influence, with the Washington five-piece’s innovative three-chord rock and roll successfully standing the test of time.

The gleeful crowd created an infectious buzz, mirrored in the band’s lively performance. Each track was individually introduced, adding charisma and a sense of intimacy to the show.

The raw nature of original recordings has been revamped, with the original, gritty sound cleaned up and given a boost. However, Freddie Dennis’s trademark screams still pierced ears and made way for Larry Parypa’s enhanced guitar solos.

Well-known hits were performed alongside unfamiliar new material, which the band was clearly keen to show off. The recent tracks did not show any signs of tiring though, possessing the same bluesy 12-bar swing of old.

Fans left visibly thrilled as the high energy and exquisite playing topped off a joyful night of prime rock and roll.