MORE than two years in the album charts to make it to No 1 with "White Ladder" certainly hasn't jaded David Gray.

Previous -- but prolific -- years in the music industry wilderness were in evidence at this V2001 warm-up show at a sold-out Apollo as he tore through an enjoyable set which included several songs from his "Lost Songs" album -- slightly baffling a mixed age crowd who had come to hear "Babylon" and got really excited only by recent singles and Bruce Springsteen's "Philadelphia".

Gray didn't disappoint -- launching into current Top 40 offering "Sail Away" as soon as he bounced on stage and sparking one of those live moments (think Robbie Williams singing "Angels") where you can't hear the singer because the entire audience know the words -- or at least the chorus -- and are determined to sing along.

Similar scenes accompanied "Please Forgive Me" and "Babylon" as the crowd were stirred into action by Gray's manic drummer -- a man so animated he barely found time to drum.

Just over 90 minutes on stage saw Gray exit with an admission that his voice was going.

The crowd expected a second encore -- it's a shame it never came.

David Gray, at Manchester Apollo

DAVID HIGGERSON