Dancing to perfect Beach Boys sounds

The hits kept coming, and the audience kept dancing - for three-and-a-half hours - when the Beach Boys played the NIA.

Stand-out songs on the night included Disney Girls, California Girls, Help Me Rhonda and the song hailed by former member and founder Brian Wilson as his greatest songwriting achievement, God Only Knows.

Wilson may have long left The Beach Boys in a storm of controversy, but his cousin and lead vocalist Mike Love last night showed no signs of hostility towards him. The eight-piece group, some dressed in Hawaiian shirts and baseball caps, took to the stage at 7.30pm. There was a short interval but they kept grooving until 11.15pm.

Love, now supported on guitar by his son Christian, interacted with the crowd and reminisced about California in the 1960s and 70s. The long-haired drummer on the night also wowed the fans, not only with his skills with the sticks but also his fine singing ability.

The show was rounded off with a triumphant encore of Good Vibrations, which was the perfect end to a perfect performance.

The interest in Brian may never leave the band, but it was all about Mike and company last night, who delighted the crowd with their blissful and memorable melodies.

by Becky Sharp