Tonight isn’t like any gig I have been to before. Over the years I have been lucky enough to witness some great musical moments from the sticky floors of sweat covered venues ,usually with a bev in hand and mates in tow. However tonight has an air about it that can only be described as witnessing history. Peter Daltrey’s kaleidoscope have decided to come together for a ‘one-night only’ headlining show at the equally mesmerising Islington Assembly Hall.

It’s been some 40 years since the original line up were on a British stage together supporting some little known guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, However this evening Peter showcases the rare psych, vintage sounds of his band with a much younger backing band. They come onstage not much after 9.30 to an intro of poetry rather than the usual carefully selected soundtrack that most bands abide by. Think Edgar Allan Poe rather than Fuckin’ In The Bushes.  This does not deter from the stomping psychedelic rock this 4 piece tear their way through over the next hour and a half. Dusting off classics such as Dive Into Yesterday, Dear Nellie Goodrich and A Dream for Julie they have the crowd in their hands from the off. The beauty of playing a venue such as the Islington Assembly Hall is the intimacy and interaction that can be shared within this beautiful 1930s dancehall. Not only is the crowd treated to an evening that is as unlikely to happen as Morrissey and Marr sharing a stage again but Daltrey treats the crowd to a brief insight into his life during the bands heyday. In between songs stories are shared and backgrounds of songs are divulged which are just as interesting and bewitching as the far-out song lyrics themselves. It has more of An Evening With…..vibe that it does a rock gig. The band are by no means perfect or tight for that matter but that makes the night even more special and vulnerable.

As the band weave and wave their way through a colourful, kaleidoscopic set it is just before the encore begins that the real magic happens. Daltrey begins to tell yet another story of the life and times of his beloved band and as he does he introduces 2 of the founding members of the band. In his words “Together on a British stage for the first time in 40 years”. The crowd cannot believe their luck. You can almost see the hair standing up on the back of necks. Treating the crowd to a brilliant and moving version of Sky Children the original line up, somewhat aged, seem like they have never been apart.

A standing ovation leads to not one but two encores which on the surface seems a little OTT but they haven’t played for 40 years so you can let them off.

Daltrey and co join together on stage as an 8 piece to psych their way through the last song of the eve to a rousing applause which signifies this band, who enjoyed very brief success under a number of guises, still live long in the hearts of the the children of the 70s.

I’ve not often said this about a gig but it was an absolute privilege and pleasure