Let's see more High times in 2017

Photo: Paul Langley

The High - Pictures courtesy Paul Langley

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SOME of the Sunday morning Tweets pretty much said it all.

"Fantastic. More gigs and more new material plz," stated 'iczster'.

"Cracking gig, serious guitar work," said Andrew Mcleod.

"Took me back a few years and sounded just as good," added Peter Fitzpatrick.

Yes, this was the eagerly-awaited latest return of former Madchester favourites The High.

After almost 12 months away from the stage, front-man - and former Radclyffe School pupil - John Matthews, guitarist Andy Couzens, bassist Tony Meehan and recently-recruited drummer Scott Parkinson returned with their own headline show at Manchester's Ruby Lounge, and it was a cracking gig.

Clearly, months of dedicated practise reaped handsome rewards as the roughly 200-strong audience lapped up a truly exciting set, which ended with a gripping rendition of 'Dreams of Dinesh' before closing at the end of a well-deserved encore with all four members in awesome form as they crashed out the brilliant 'Lost and Found'.

Once the nerves on show in the opening three tracks had dissipated, The High were quite magical after big 1990 hit 'Box Set Go' was offered up four tunes in.

Couzens in particular was in blistering form.

Swaying from side to side in his own inimitable style, the Stone Roses founder member drove the whole set brilliantly, swapping guitars between his cherished Gibson and his 'Ricky' - Paul Weller favourite, Rickenbacker.

It was a masterful performance from Couzens, and with Matthews looking confident, young sticks man Parkinson dead on the money and bassist Meehan pretty much faultless, the crowd were baying frantically for more ahead of a raucous and memorable encore.

Let's hope we see and hear much more from The High in the New Year, but for now, they head south this weekend where they star on the popular 'Shiiine On' festival bill at the Butlins holiday camp in Minehead, alongside Steve Holt's Rainkings, Echo and the Bunnymen, Black Grape, Shed Seven, Cast and many more.

Unfortunately, due to a delayed train earlier in the evening, I got into the Ruby Lounge just minutes after Royton support band The Recreation finished their set.

I was reliably informed, however, that the rapidly improving indie outfit - Owen, Sam, Tom and George - belted out a terrific half-hour of cutting edge tunes.

Their set included popular recent single release 'Sofa' and all four 'Flowery Bucket Hat' EP offerings 'Cadillac', 'The Gateway', 'Tonight' and 'Taxi.

The EP - officially released last Friday - is available now and will be available for download from Spotify and iTunes soon.

Meanwhile, I attended the early stages of Clint Boon's first 'Set2Go Live' all-day showcase event at the brilliant Sound Control venue in central Manchester on Sunday.

There was a terrific vibe as the two-floor haunt was gearing up to stage some of the region's best and most promising up-and-coming unsigned acts.

I was particularly impressed with Gorton-based solo singer/songwriter Ryan Jarvis and the hard-hitting and very hotly-tipped four-piece band the Tourist Attractions.