St Leonards-on-Sea The Piper

No fading yet for the Welshmen with their heart in San Francisco.

Not to be confused with Son Of Man – a breakaway unit led by George Jones, whose late father Micky co-founded Man in 1968 – the current incarnation stars bassist Martin Ace, who has flitted in and out of the line-up since the following year. They also now include his lad Josh on guitar. It’s a complex situation but, as their family tree and storied history suggests, nothing with this enduring Welsh band has ever been easy.

On an evening when the summer reaches its balmy last knockings, Man attract a decent-sized and enthusiastic audience who cheer a riotous yet beautifully channelled 15-minute rendition of Spunk Rock from 1977’s All’s Well That Ends Well, and by the time they sign off with the same record’s closer Romain The Piper’s dancefloor is rammed with idiotdancers, limbs flailing and pints flying.

Introducing songs with wonderfully random remarks and singing in a low, defiant voice, it’s only natural that 76-year-old Martin Ace is a central presence, although James Beck steps up to steal the show. A fluid, graceful guitar player, Beck performs like a genetic heir to the much-missed Deke Leonard and Micky Jones.

How much gas remains in the tank for Man remains to be seen, but their 2022 configuration serves an epic legacy very proudly indeed.