BEING a huge ELO fan, I felt a little spoiled here because not only did we see these excellent guys (and gals) last Friday at The Forum, I also saw Jeff Lynne's ELO in Liverpool Arena only two weeks ago, writes PETE DOWNING.

Nevertheless, it will not go against this superb 'double award winning' tribute band in my review here, as it effectively made us all relive and savour the exciting moment that seemed to pass so quickly in Liverpool.

Any comparison with Jeff Lynne's ELO was soon forgotten though as one quickly acclimatised oneself to this smaller theatre production; and as our imagination juices flowed (which is a prerequisite when you decide to go and watch a good tribute act) the show just sucked you in to the nostalgic world of ELO.

It was so realistic and true to the original as they ran through the huge gamut of hits, so too performing them to a most excellent high standard and quality of musicianship (and with a real, all female, string section too). To try and compare and nitpick it for faults was just pointless because it was so authentic.

The front man and band leader here, Stuart Louis, was superb at the helm and was actually more talkative than Jeff Lynne as he narrated between songs with some entertaining quips whilst also inviting the keen audience to sing along in some passages. His backing band were every bit the same calibre of musicianship as Jeff's touring band too.

Interestingly, Jeff Lynne's own ELO musicians also happen to be the backing group for Gary Barlow and Take That. They even turned up once to one of this band's shows, where they all also gave it the 'thumbs up'.

It is amazing to think that the original ELO appeared here at the same venue in 1973 (then known as the Barrow Civic Hall) with only around 200 in the audience, whereas 45 years later the ELO Experience (tribute band) actually played to a full house of over 500 people. It's quite a bizarre thought really.

The show ended with a standing ovation to the song Don't Bring Me Down and despite that song title, they 'did' in fact bring the house down.

To sum up, I think it says it all when a tribute band actually has its own fan base. This was evident when I met Simon and Terri, who had even travelled from Stockport for the Forum show and who told me that it was their 149th time (and still counting).