IF the recent flush of reunited bands from the nineties has proved anything, it's that their fans still hunger to see them play live.

But while the majority of these groups have returned to the limelight by performing their back catalogue from years gone by, Dodgy – a key player in the Britpop era – have gone one step further.

After releasing their first album in more than a decade last year – the critically acclaimed Stand Upright In A Cool Place – Dodgy, now once again made up of the original members, are back on the road.

And unapologetically Dodgy, instead of rehashing their old hits, have made it clear from the off that this would be a tour to promote their new album, as well as celebrating their 20 years in the business.

The reason they know they can do this – the album is bloomin' brilliant.

Two decades on and Dodgy have mellowed – but only a little. The sound is more laid back, still full of beautiful harmonies, but all together more relaxed. There's even a political number or two thrown in for good measure.

The first half of the evening was devoted entirely to Stand Upright In A Cool Place, before Dodgy took the crowd back to the very beginning - and their first album.

Highlights for me included the stunning Waiting For The Sun and Only A Heartbeat, while Raffedstone Hill harked back to more raucous times.

But it would be hard to pick a stand out number in a set packed full of wonderful – and fresh – songs.

At ease chatting to a packed Met in Bury, lead singer Nigel Clark, along with guitarist Andy Miller and Matthew Priest on drums, seemed delighted to be back on stage. And it's clearly where they belong.

Supported by an on-form Tom Hingley – of Inspiral Carpets fame, who performed several new tracks along with some Inspiral's classics – the show lasted for more than three glorious hours and was fabulous from start to finish.

Let's hope Dodgy don't leave it another decade before recording their next album.