Published: Monday, 8th March, 2010 3:45pm

Supreme Skids right at home

by Gary Fitzpatrick

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A SUPERB performance from the Skids set the seal on the week of events celebrating the career of Richard Jobson.

Saturday night's gig was a memorable occasion for the sell-out crowd savouring the reunion of one of Dunfermline's best-ever bands in the fabulous setting of the rejuvenated Alhambra Theatre.

And it was a rejuvenated, storming set from the band as they turned the clock back, roared on by the hometown support like a swaying mass of football fans.

There was a huge ovation in memory of the late Stuart Adamson and it was fitting that his Big Country colleague Bruce Watson was on stage alongside his son Jamie to complete the line-up.

Many fans present had been there for the band's breakthrough days in the late 1970s although some in the audience were not even born then.

The set was an impressive mix of the band's popular hits such as 'The Saints Are Coming', 'Working for the Yankee Dollar', 'Circus Games' and Masquerade' with less well-known material such as 'Woman in Winter' and 'Castles in Spain', which was released by The Armoury Show, Jobson's subsequent band after the Skids.

The singer turned film director said it was a "privilege" to appear at the theatre and the fans certainly appreciated them being there.

Alhambra manager Simon Fletcher said, "It was a great event and the culmination of a really good week.

"The first Fifer Festival has been a success and the Skids concert was a triumphant return.

"When they sang 'Into the Valley' it was the biggest crowd reaction we've had since the Alhambra re-opened. The band loved playing here and the fans had a great time."

Local bars and restaurants were busy as gig-goers flocked into Dunfermline, none more so than a packed Old Inn where Skids fans gathered in the hours before the concert, at an event organised by the band's website.

They were entertained by Skids music and rare footage of the band on video.

Dunfermline's emergence as a live music hub after many years in the doldrums was confirmed on Saturday with one of the city's busiest ever nights for live music.

As well as the Skids, there was another major attraction at Velocity where Reverend and the Makers gave a cracking performance.

Promoter Calum Miller, of Weekend Revolution, said, "It was a fantastic night. We got around 600 through the door for Reverend and we were at the full capacity of 280 in PJ Molloys for the after-show party where they had to close the doors around midnight.

"After the gig Reverend said it was one of the best crowds they have played to on the whole tour.

"I was walking around the town before and after the gigs and the buzz around the town was phenomenal. We need more nights like this in Dunfermline."

The Ladders played at PJs, James Grant was at Tiffany's lounge and there was a charity big band concert at the Glen Pavilion.