The grey hair and business suits may betray the age of the audience but up on stage there's a decidedly youthful band. You see, folks, Mr Ronald Wood, of The Faces and Rolling Stones pop groups, likes his family in tow. So there's son Jesse on guitar and daughter Leah, last seen on the Stones' 1999 European tour, on backing vocals.
While the footage of Woody's painting on the screen behind the stage looks suspiciously like covert advertising for his art, beneath it Ronnie and chums are recreating the rock'n'roll spirit of the 70s - loose grooves, fluffed vocals and some fine guitar sparring.
Andrea Corr drops by to add some tin whistle and backing vocals to a beers-in-the-air version of The Faces' hymn to growing old, 'Ooh La La'. Shortly afterwards, a man in a top hat sways in from the wings. Good lord, it's Slash, here to offer some pyrotechnics to Woody back catalogue gems 'Mystifies Me' and 'Take A Look At The Guy'. Then it's back to London, 1965, for 'Leaving Here', a single by Wood's very first band The Birds recently re-recorded on his 'Not For Beginners' album.
Things take a rather more sober turn with gentle versions of 'Jealous Guy' and 'Far East Man', a track co-written with George Harrison, and played as a tribute to the late Beatle. The Stones' 'Miss You' sees errant vocals all over the place but, hey, it doesn't matter because everyone's having fun. It's like a backstage jam session that has spilled over onto the stage. They even have a bash at 'Paradise City', although no one attempts to imitate Axl Rose's inimitable vocals.
The Stones' 'It's Only Rock'n'Roll' and The Faces' 'Stay With Me' close out a thoroughly enjoyable leaving the audience to nurse sore heads the next day. Good old Woody - out of all the Stones, he knows how to throw the best parties.
