TO any aspiring artists, a word of advice. If you want to know how to be a frontman, if you want to develop a stage presence, if you want to have a crowd in the palm of your hand just go along and catch Andrew Roachford playing live.

For the last seven years, he's divided his time between Mike and the Mechanics and solo work but with his own band behind him, he turned in an absolute masterclass.

Of course it helps when you have a voice like his - soulful, warm, powerful and full of emotion.

The set included songs from his most recent album Encore which features 'Roachified' versions of some of his favourite numbers.

These included a stunning, bluesy version of Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine and a rousing version of Sly and the Family Stone's Family Affair - a fitting choice given that Andrew's brother Stephen was playing a mean lead guitar.

Soul and charisma ooze out of every pore and in spite of the confines of the fixed seating, he created a real party atmosphere at the Library Theatre.

You also realise how good a keyboard player he is adding extra depth to many of the songs.

It's always the sign of a good show when the time just flies by and before we knew it the main set, which included his own version of Mike and the Mechanics' Looking Back, was over.

But back he came, alone on stage for versions of Kathleen and one of his biggest hits Family Man.

Then it was time for his excellent three-piece band to return too for the song which he will forever be associated with - Cuddly Toy and what great song that is.

As he sang his thanks to his band members, the venue and the audience, he promised to return. On this form, as and when he does they will be queuing for tickets