CAST, at King George's Hall, Blackburn

IN a musical climate dominated by quiet acts, it was a joy to see Cast doing what they do best -- and doing it loud.

The Scouse four-piece took to the stage with the traditional line-up of electric guitars, bass and drums to belt out the classic Guiding Star.

It would have been hard to to dislike them, despite their last album, Magic Hour, virtually sinking without trace.

Free Me came first, followed by a selection of songs from forthcoming album Beet Route.

New offerings Meditations, Kingdoms and Crowns, and forthcoming single Desert Drought showed promise, as did Lose Myself.

The only departure from plugged-in instruments was a guest flute player on the new songs.

But hit after hit like Sandstorm, Finetime, Alright and Walk Away were all you could ask for. It even made the paltry one-hour performance by John Power (pictured) and the band just about forgivable.

TIM ASH