Eagles take it to the limit
Is was the type of clinical performance their football namesakes used to dish out - circa 1992 that is.
Like a fine-tuned machine, the Eagles music midfield - a spritely Don Henley and always solid Glenn Frey - pushed the boys around them, producing a greatest-hits show that left the crowd in awe.
And after touring this show for almost 20 months, you'd expect as much.
The first half is essentially a chronological journey through one of the most recognisable back catalogues in music.
And in that sense it's pretty hard to go wrong.
Henley and Frey kicked things off together on stage in acoustic mode with the lesser-known Saturday Night, from 1973's Desperado and Train Leaves Here This Morning, from their self-titled debut.
The first part of the show was a delightful history lesson, with Frey giving the crowd "some idea of what it was like in the late summer of 1971".
Though it was a subdued start - with the miniature video screens forcing the mature audience to squint - the welcome smart-phone ban also meant there was no chance of the crowd zooming in closer.
After Timothy B. Schmit, the formerly estranged Bernie Leadon and Joe Walsh were all introduced. Multi-instrumentalist Steuart Smith joined them for Peaceful Easy Feeling, the first hit of the night, and it was an omen for what was to follow.
An alternative arrangement of Witchy Woman was a particular highlight, as was Lyin' Eyes and Take it to the Limit in the first half of the show before intermission.
They returned and the small screens made way for a massive visual spectacular.
It signalled a new direction in what would be a marathon three-hour performance, with the poignant stories making way for a bit more fun - and a lot more rocking out.
Joe Walsh, the clown prince of rock, had a bit of fun with a video camera on a hat and later played around with Frey in a giggle-worthy guitar battle.
There were a couple of clangers though - Already Gone, with its weird visuals, was a bit of a let down and In the City, with its more funk leanings, hasn't aged as well but was saved by a soaring guitar solo from Walsh.
And though it is inevitable after touring the same show for 20 months, the band, at times, looked as if they were going through the motions.
But they sounded spectacular - in particular Henley who didn't miss a note all night - and isn't that the main thing?
The instantly recognisable riff of Life in the Fast Lane induced some in the rammed Arena crowd to break into dance and closed the main set.
Unsurprisingly Hotel California produced the biggest reaction of the night, with the interwoven guitar play from Walsh and Smith still putting that tingle down the spine, even after 42 years.
The crowd just loved it.
A second encore saw an upbeat version of Take it Easy and finally the soaring Desperado.
It wrapped up the gig to a standing ovation - the type of performance any coach would be proud of.
The guitar play from Walsh and Smith still put a tingle down the spine, even after 42 years.
