ONCE accustomed to filling stadiums the size of Wembley as frontman for 80s pop sensation Bros, on Saturday night Matt Goss came on stage to an audience of just over three hundred.

However, if he found the number of people disconcerting, he certainly did not show it. Full of energy from the offset, Matt had no problem warming up the crowd and had them on their feet from the very first notes.

He wisely started with a couple of Bros classics, including previous number one hit I Owe you Nothing, delighting his old fan base who had turned out in force. More importantly, he managed to keep them dancing and singing along to his new material, which dominated the show.

Impressive backing from his band and talented playing by lead guitarist Richard Steel gave Goss's mixture of ballads and upbeat tracks a more modern edge. Forthcoming single Watch Me Fall was especially popular and the success of this song, released in September, will determine the outcome of his comeback. Bros favourite When Will I Be Famous? predictably provided the show's climax, and Goss could have been forgiven for thinking he was back in his heyday as knickers were thrown onstage and screaming women packed the front rows.

An all-round professional performance, the gig proved that Matt still has the voice and stage presence to succeed. The only question which remains is whether he will be able to build on his faithful Bros fan base.

Updated: 12:14 Monday, July 21, 2003