Sgt Pepper gig is one to savour from Threetles

the threetles - beatles tribute band from oldham

The Threetles: 50th anniversary gig celebrating the release of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

THE packed-out George Lawton Hall in Mossley rocked to the rafters as tribute specialists the Threetles produced a truly heart-warming show on the 50th anniversary of the release of the epic Beatles album Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album.

It was an awesome night from start to finish as the locally-based Threetles - bass/vocalist Paul Brierley, rhythm guitarist Thomas Jones, lead guitarist Andy Housley, drummer Simon McGoran and keys man Andy Preston - reproduced the legendary 1967 album in its entirety to a crowd of all ages who packed the dancefloor and were rocking in the aisles.

Not only was the show a massive success for the band and all inside the atmospheric old venue, Tameside-based We Shall Overcome homeless charity also benefited by more than £1,800 thanks to the generosity of the band and everyone who bought admission tickets and filled collection buckets.

There was already a huge buzz inside the GL Hall well before the show opened.

The Threetles revealed they were to deliver the seminal album's two sides in two halves, though book-ended either side were more cherished tunes made famous by the Fab Four.

A perfect rendition of Let it Be opened proceedings, and then the atmosphere just grew and grew.

The album tracks began after four or five "openers", with the title track going down an absolute storm.

Side One was executed brilliantly, with my particular favourite being With A Little Help From My Friends and Getting Better, while the Side Two session opened with a magical rendition of Indian-influenced George Harrison tune Within You Without You - even the sitar came out for that one and it sounded glorious.

When I'm 64 followed to a huge ovation, and another particular fave of mine, A Day In The Life, rounded off the album offerings, before Paul and the gang wrapped up their special evening by banging out a few more Beatles classics for all the dancers - the likes of Help, She Loves You and half a dozen more unforgettable songs from Merseyside's favourite sons.

Well done the Threetles - this was possibly the best "school night" out I'd ever had.