IT’S been four years since this reviewer last witnessed the euphoria of a Band of Skulls Southampton show.

Much has changed; a new line-up sees the trio’s veteran drummer replaced with a new unwound drummer, the audience gaining age, and even more camera phones than a pre-teen Justin Bieber sit-in. 

Yet, for the most it’s normal service resumed for BoS, a group which over the past decade has defined itself as Southampton’s greatest rock band.

Here in The Joiners Arms, as part of a selection of JD Homecoming shows, the atmosphere grows from a nodding, quiet appreciation of sound to a frenzied cauldron of anarchists bopping within an inch of their tiny minds.

It’s how it is supposed to be.

Just days ago, the band reimagined a selection of their tracks to incorporate orchestral movements. But fast-forward and it’s back to the way BoS’s fans know them best.

‘Sweet Sour’ – a typical BoS composition that demonstrates their bullish rock compositions with forceful harmonies from remaining members Russell Marsden (guitar) and Emma Richardson (bass) – opened. 

The audience were subdued; the sound quieter than some might expect from a band based on bone-quaking tone.

But soon they were in Marsden’s palm. ‘Brothers and Sisters’, ‘So Good’ and fan favourite ‘Himalayan’ all spawned the tracks they craved. 

This group could be better than The Black Keys. Everything is there. It just hasn’t translated. Yet.

Perhaps the evening’s most sobering moment came through ‘Cold Fame’.

This idyllic tracks has everything. The jilting, hypnotising passages akin to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatross’, the cold bass and brutally assured vocals of Marsden create this touching moment where you remember exactly why being in a cramped music venue, with two cans of warming Red Stripe on a school night was the best decision you ever made.

By the time ‘Light of the Morning’ and ‘Death By Diamonds and Pearls’ had concluded, BoS were once again off. Who knows when they next might return. But if it’s not for a while, this audience, this city were reminded why this band should be remembered as the greatest act to represent us. 

Clive Hammond