Ash proved their fire is still burning strong with a roaring set at Bath’s Komedia venue last Thursday evening.

The ever-likable Tim Wheeler led his troupe onto the stage backed by a bizarre sci-fi entrance soundtrack which could have been taken from Star Wars and the question lingered: would the force be strong with them?

Their set began very well with each song being met by euphoria from the packed-out crowd.

When Irishman Wheeler uttered the words ‘I remember a time I knew a girl from mars’ Komedia’s roof nearly burst off into outer space.

Old favourites like Girl From Mars, Petrol and Goldfinger were received wonderfully with Wheeler’s vocal still seeming as beautifully soft as it was when Ash first made their debut on Top of The Pops in the mid-90s, while studying for their A-levels.

Prior to the gig, revellers were suitably warmed-up by Bath band, Out Like a Lion, whose material was reminiscent of Arcade Fire’s early releases.

Later, Ash played tracks from the A-Z series, their unprecedented style of not releasing albums but instead offering new singles regularly throughout the year.

Ash did go on a slightly odd direction by playing a long instrumental track they had recently been working on, which would have even made Pink Floyd a little restless.

The set got back on track and the Irish rockers played track after track from their back catalogue all the way to a rambunctious conclusion.

They left and returned for an encore with friend Hugh Cornwell, the former lead singer of The Stranglers, which proved to be an unexpected treat.

The gig drew to a memorable close with arguably Ash’s most well-known track Burn Baby Burn.

From this performance it’s plain to see Ash’s flame won’t be fading out any time soon.