By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Saturday 10 October tour runs through 1 May 2027

Setlist: Be My Light, Be My Guide; Sick, Sober and Sorry; We Could Be Kings; As Good As It Gets; Truth, Rest Your Head; Still Can’t Find The Phone; Save Me; I’m Yours; Where Are They Now?; You’ll Never Walk Again; Left For Dust; Speak To Me Someone; Yours For The Taking; Tristan; Sleep Well Tonight; Fighting Fit; Haunted By You; Supermarket Bombscare; London, Can You Wait?; Olympian; Somewhere In The World; For The Dead; Don’t Let Me Down

‘We learned 35 songs for these 2 shows which is a world record for the Saga health generation,’ Gene lead singer Martin Rossiter tells the audience at this 2nd Camden Roundhouse gig.

• Read on for reasons including how we wouldn’t bet against new material and more dates soon

There’s even a new song with a working title of Tristan and its presence is important because it signals a band no longer willing to rest on their laurels.

And what crowns and wreaths made from the leaves of the sweet bay laurel tree they are.

Rossiter’s in genial host form and offers ahead of Tristan: ‘This is a new 1 – so you might as well f*** off to the bar.’

On 1st listening its contents are largely unremarkable but we’d love for Gene to follow in the footsteps of Suede and Pulp releasing material which demands a place in present day live sets.

Rossiter and co open tonight’s proceedings by walking on to Amy Winehouse’s classic Love Is A Losing Game which feels like a thoughtful tribute to her but also to our surroundings which very much remind us of the dearly departed star.

We saw Gene almost a year ago at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith for their 1st London gig for 21 years. It was a celebratory night many never dared dream would happen and is commemorated on the appropriately-titled album Apollo released this summer.

The setlist was very much what die-hards would want to hear after such a period of silence and for these shows, new song excepted, the treasure troves have very much been raided with the live debut of Left For Dust and rare spottings of Still Can’t Find The Phone and Supermarket Bombscare.

Rossiter does appear to be very happy to be with us and says: ‘ When we got back together I’d forgotten how good these 3 are’, gesturing to his original band members. ‘And Mick f****** Talbot as well! he says of the former Style Council keyboardist.

The band is indeed tight and coupled with Rossiter’s captivating crooning means the future looks bright for Gene and their reunited army of admirers.

There are US dates to look forward to later this year and a Gigantic All Dayer in Bristol in 2027 but we wouldn’t bet against new material and more dates soon.

• Main pictures by via Facebook courtesy Gene Tickets
• Have you seen Gene before and what did you think of them? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
• Enjoyed this preview? Follow monstagigz on Twitter @NeilDurham, email neildurham3@gmail.com and check us out on Instagram and Facebook