SOMEBODY else’s adulation, somebody else’s songs, tribute acts occupy a curious space where first-rate musicians bask, or hide, in the glories of the past. Absolute Bowie, billed as Europe’s premier tribute act, find themselves caught up in the public’s genuine grief for the recently departed legend. Time to make hay presumably. Bowie himself last played in Yorkshire back in 1997, but there was none of the jungle squall from that August slot on the Earthling tour at the Leeds Town and County Club.

Fibbers was soon filled with voices singing Ziggy-era songs to the rafters, a real sense of celebration. Absolute Bowie stoked the atmosphere, creating a sense of anticipation before John O’Neill wafted on stage in full regalia, creating a powerful impression, sufficiently physically and sonically similar to make ripples.

The crack band tore through the set in note-perfect fashion, clearly enjoying Bowie’s Eighties' commercial-heyday material. With such a back catalogue to choose from, Absolute Bowie played it safe, with the full first half devoted to Ziggy Stardust before a second-half foray from Station To Station to Let’s Dance. There were no obscure B-sides for the aficionado and the Dame’s latter years were totally absent. This was purely about pop appeal, and that was undeniable.

While critics may remember Bowie’s artful, prescient reinventions, his audience will forever tune into the quality of melodies. Despite its Eighties' origins, Ashes To Ashes, for example, is as fine a song as you are likely to hear, and it was just one of many standouts. O’Neill was an impressive and striking front man, if rather over-doing the theatrics (probably also the cause of the overlong costume break between sets which lost some of the impetus), while Chris Buratti as Mick Ronson/Earl Slick and the rest also impressed. Heroes was the unavoidable encore, leaving audience heads replaying their favourites, appetites temporarily cessated.