A SOLD-OUT Anvil certainly made its appreciation obvious come the conclusion of this outstanding triple-header reunion tour.

This night of 1980s heaven oozed quality from beginning to end, the vocals of the key performers seemingly unaffected by the passage of three decades or so since they first released what were to be their biggest hits.

The trip down memory lane began in style with the terrific Carol Decker from T’Pau. Clad in a red leather jacket and heels, and still boasting absolutely fabulous hair, she performed songs from her new album in addition to the band’s greatest hits, Valentine, Heart and Soul and, of course, China In Your Hand, which spent five weeks at number one in 1987.

After blowing some “showbiz kisses” in acknowledgment of the rapturous applause, she was off.

Audience members leapt to their feet when headliners Go West (celebrating 30 years of the band) and Nik Kershaw swiftly arrived on stage, immediately scoring full marks with a rendition of Tears for Fears’ Everybody Wants to Rule the World.

For the rest of the evening, Peter Cox, Richard Drummie and Kershaw enthralled all assembled. The audience were occasionally misty-eyed with remembrance as their favourite 1980s songs, including Call Me, Faithful, Don’t Look Down Girl, King of Wishful Thinking, Wide Boy and The Riddle, were performed live with such acumen and energy.

There was much to admire, from Cox’s dynamic stage presence and Kershaw’s impressive guitar work to the sterling support, including electronics when necessary, of the backing band.

Two guilty pleasures, The One and Only – which was written by Nik Kershaw in 1989 and secured a number one smash hit for Chesney Hawkes in 1991 – and Kings of Leon’s Sex On Fire, were also rapturously received, sending buzzing Basingstokers out into the night, singing all the way home.

Joanne Mace