January is always a lean time for gig goers and so the enduring appeal of the music of Philip Lynott and Thin Lizzy ensured a healthy turn out at Wolverhampton's Civic Hall. The merits of the band continuing as a touring entity will forever divide opinion but the current line-up certainly comes closer to doing justice to the back catalogue when compared with the John Sykes fronted metalized version of a few years back. And in vocalist Ricky Warwick Lizzy are led by someone that perfectly understands his role in paying tribute to their legacy.

"Are You Ready?" ensures a frantic start to what is largely an up-tempo and energetic ninety minutes romp through Lizzy's greatest hits together with a sprinkling of deep cuts. "Jailbreak", "Bad Reputation" and "Don't Believe A Word" follow in rapid succession with new guitarist Damon Johnson (Alice Cooper, Damn Yankees, Sammy Hagar) making an immediate impact and trading solos with Scott Gorham. Free from struggling to make himself heard when Sykes was in the band, Gorham is able to showcase the finer side of his playing and the guitar harmonies ring out loud and clear on a majestic "Cowboy Song". Twelve months on from their last gig in Wolverhampton and with more than 100 shows behind them this line-up is really growing in confidence; something which Warwick evidences as he prowls the stage for "Killer on The Loose". The introduction of Marco Mendoza leads to a complete shift in mood, the bassist grinning from ear to ear as he plucks out the melody to the sing-a-long "Dancing in the Moonlight".

With keyboards not an integral part of the show, Darren Wharton spends much of the set in the shadows aside from the dramatic intro to his own "Angel of Death" and then goes on to share vocal duties with Warwick on the heartfelt "Still in Love with You". Brian Downey gets a affectionate reception for his brief solo as Lizzy go all the way back to the very beginning and "Whiskey In The Jar", the set continuing to build momentum until the inevitable climax of "The Boys Are Back In Town". The encore ensures a rousing finale as it moves through the classic trio of "Emerald", "Rosalie" and the legend of "Black Rose".

Thin Lizzy 2012 is a combination of excellent musicians offering a fitting celebration to an inspirational band, delivered with respect and admiration for the one and only Philip Lynott.