IT was a somewhat surreal experience, seeing one of my idols playing an intimate gig at the Waterside Arts Centre.

Even at 56, Ian McCulloch, sporting his obligatory black shades, is still uber cool, treating us to an evening of timeless Echo and the Bunnymen classics.

Sometimes I think this celebrated Scouser - he hates being called Mac because it makes him sound like an aged uncle - was born wearing dark glasses. For the life of me, I can't remember seeing him without them. The Roy Orbison of indie pop, perhaps?

Armed only with an acoustic guitar and a well stocked arsenal of jokes and banter, he began the evening with one of my favourite Bunnymen songs, Rescue.

For me, the highlight of the night came when he invited us to sing along to Seven Seas, from the band's best album, Ocean Rain. This was a strangely spiritual moment and my carefree teenage years, when I tried to mimic McCulloch distinctive spiky mop and dress sense, came flooding back. Brilliant.

The best slow songs were Nothing Lasts Forever and Bring On The Dancing Horses, the latter being the high point in what was for me, the group's least interesting period.

Before the encore, he treated us to The Killing Moon, a hauntingly beautiful track that still sends a shiver down my spine.

Witty, accomplished and with plenty of attitude, I hope Ian McCulloch remains a major force in music for many years to come.

* Star rating - ****