TWENTY years ago this would have been one of the hottest tickets around - Britpop darlings Shed Seven supported by raggle-taggle mop tops Cast.

Fast forward to a cold Monday night in Blackburn and it would seem as though time has stood still. The venerable old venue of King George's Hall was bouncing as both acts rolled back the years.

Cast, fronted by John Power, only had 30 minutes but they packed it with their hits including Walk Away and Guiding Star. This was a full band performance with meaty guitar solos complementing Power's lyrics.

Then it was time for Shed Seven, buoyed by the success of their first album in 16 years, Instant Pleasures.

Remarkably, the band look exactly the same as they did all those years ago. Lead singer Rick Witter is a dynamic frontman; a praying mantis-like figure not afraid to banter with the audience and displaying a remarkably strong singing voice.

During their career, Shed Seven's output has changed, moving from the heyday of Britpop to the more dance influenced Manchester sound with their new album reflecting the band's greater maturity.

Indeed some of the songs from Instant Pleasures - Better Days, It's Not Easy and People Will Talk - were among the many highlights.

The band's equipment may have been covered in fairylights looking a little like a Christmas display at B&Q but no-one was fooled by this apparent tweeness.

A three-piece brass section who were brought on at various points during the show added to the deep rich sound which at times threatened to vibrate the windows out of the venue.

"Do you remember the 1990s?" Witter asked the packed crowd at one point. "I don't but I'm told it was very good."

The diehards sang along in full voice to some of those early hits including Speakeasy and Going for Gold.

A version of She Left Me On A Friday saw Witter leave the stage for the band to launch into an intense instrumental version of the Stone Roses I Am the Resurrection which, with stage lights flashing, threatened to turn into a full-blown rave.

"Thanks for making a Monday night in Blackburn feel like a Saturday," said Witter.

Make no mistake, the years may have passed but Shed Seven have still got plenty to say.