We used it up, wore it out and felt the force on Sunday night as the Real Thing and Odyssey came to the Ipswich Regent to take us back to the disco and soul sounds of the late 1970s.

Ipswich Star: Odyssey were at the Ipswich Regent on Sunday. Picture: BREAD AND SHUTTEROdyssey were at the Ipswich Regent on Sunday. Picture: BREAD AND SHUTTER (Image: Bread&Shutter 2017 copyright all rights reserved)

The audience was up on its feet from the start - boogying and ready for a Sunday night party.

Performing to a backing track - but that didn’t matter, their vocals were fine and enthusiasm infectious - Odyssey were up first and tore through their many hits including Inside Out, Going Back to my Roots and If You’re Looking For a Way Out.

The latter, introduced with the words “I hope you never have to sing this to someone you love”, was sung beautifully and still manages to pack an emotional punch after all these years.

The Real Thing took to the stage with Chris Amoo, the only member from the original line-up, doing a great job of keeping the spirit of the band alive and ably supported by his tight backing band.

We got the hits Can’t Get By Without You, You To Me Are Everything and a rousing finale of Can You Feel The Force. No encore but then how could you follow that?

Mike Rawden