TAKING to the stage to an electronic version of Beethoven's Ode To Joy, the band behind some of David Bowie's greatest work are at first glance an unassuming bunch.

Obviously, there's far less hair on show than in their 1970s heyday, with no make-up and more wrinkles, but once the instruments get plugged in the years just fall away as The Man Who Sold The World is performed track by track.

Glenn Gregory, formerly of Eighties synth-pop band Heaven 17, swaggers on with a knowing smile and it's a welcome relief he isn't trying to be Bowie, but has the energy, charisma and voice to pull off the show. Throughout the night he interacts with the crowd - which was surprisingly not a sell out, but had the enthusiasm of a packed house - and professes his honour to be sharing a stage with Woody Woodmansey and Tony Visconti.

Woodmansey, despite being in his sixties, displays an incredible power in his drum technique, with beats varying from as loud as gunshots to subtle and quiet and never missing a beat. Visconti, who is probably best known as a producer, performs well on bass too, while the rest of the band are all at the top of their games.

There's also a badly kept secret special guest, as Marc Almond is brought out to take the lead on After All, and returns later in the evening for the second set, which includes a host of Bowie's best.

Almond's work in the second half includes a terrific medley of Wild Eyed Boy From Freecloud, All The Young Dudes and Oh You Pretty Things, while Watch That Man is turned into a fun, knockabout duet with Almond and Gregory running around the stage and clearly having the time of their lives.

Any niggles with the show are minor, but noticeable - the sound mix on the early tracks means a 12-string guitar is almost inaudible, but most criminally, the scraping, raking noise of the guiro is completely lost during The Man Who Sold The World.

By the time Lisa Ronson - daughter of legendary Spiders From Mars guitarist Mick - moves up from backing singer to take the lead on Lady Stardust, the crowd is fully onside, and Gregory's take on Life On Mars is superb.

You won't leave asking 'David who?', but it's testament to the talents on stage that what could feel like a tribute act is among the strongest live performances doing the rounds this year.

Also playing The Welly, Hull tonight.