WHAT a difference three years makes. Back in 2013 when Wilko Johnson left the International Stage a packed Colne Muni crowd feared they would never see him again.

Grown men wept as hundreds of people cheered an empty stage for over 10 minutes following the end of what was believed to be Wilko's farewell show after being diagnosed with cancer.

Fast forward three years and the man himself was back, the cancer beaten - the miracle had happened.

Once again the Muni was packed as the former Dr Feelgood guitarist plus long-term sidekicks bassist Norman Watt-Roy and drummer Dylan Howe put their own unique spin on R&B.

Wilko was in fine form brandishing his famous Telecaster like a machine gun and charging backwards and forwards across the stage.

Feelgood classics mingled with some of Wilko's own material along with R&B standards all performed in the trio's distinctive style.

In theory the line-up could be chaotic. Dylan Howe in another life is one of the country' finest jazz drummers, Blockheads stalwart Watt-Roy is a bundle of perpetual motion playing bass like a lead and you'll not find Wilko's guitar technique in any tutorial.

But collectively it all works, the three seemingly disparate parts coming together to produce something special.

Once again the cheers raised the roof at the end of the show but this time they most definitely weren't tinged with sadness.

Earlier in the evening on the International Stage, the Jive Aces had really got the party started.

With guest singer Amy Baker, the jump jive outfit brought the feelgood factor to Colne. Lead singer Ian Clarkson is a natural showman - at one point he led the brass section on a mini conga through the hall.

But for all the larking around, at the heart of the band are some excellent musicians who clearly love early rock and roll and know how to play it serving up a hugely entertaining treat in the process.

The evening on the main stage was rounded off by a festival debut performance from Wille and the Bandits. There may only be three of them but they certainly packed a punch. Once again great musicianship is at the heart of what they do with some stellar slide guitar one of the features of the band along with a massive array of percussion.

They were the hard hitting climax to a tremendously varied programme on the International Stage.