Live Review: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band

There is a real air of being a part of something special tonight as young hipsters mingle with fans who could well be in their 70s or older. Though Ringo is definitely the star(r) of the show he's more than happy to take a back seat and let his All-Star Band take the limelight. With guitarist Steve Lukather providing scintillating solos and the charisma of Todd Rundgren, dressed in some of the tightest jeans ever seen on a human, there is no shortage of star power on stage. It feels more like a jam session between old friends than a concert.

The evening starts with Starr's early solo hit, It Don't Come Easy, complete with an exceptionally long-winded sax solo and some theatrics from Ringo as he gallivants around the stage, directing peace symbols at all corners of the sweaty festival hall crowd. The heat soon becomes too much for him and he discards his signature leather jacket. The gig branches off for a while as a lot of the other members in his ragtag band play songs from their careers until Ringo takes centre stage again with the first song he ever wrote, The Beatles' Don't Pass Me By. Yellow Submarine elicits a wild response from the crowd, who throw off the shackles of the heat and burst into a resounding singalong.

The diverse set continues to amaze with some of Toto's most recognisable hits, Hold The Line and Africa, getting a go as well. Then just as the night begins to lull, Ringo jumps to attention and his 1973 hit Photograph gets the crowd worked up again before offering a spectacular rendition of With A Little Help From My Friends. There's not a person in the room who isn't on their feet and wearing a huge smile as a rather exuberant Ringo finishes the song with a series of star (Starr) jumps and then exits quietly while His All-Starr Band finish with Lennon's Give Peace A Chance.