Mercury Rev at the Newcastle Carling Academy

Not your conventional behaviour, even at the Duchess of York (the now extinct Leeds venue of my university days) but one that marked this lot out on that debut tour in 1992.

I always think it rather uncouth when some singers crowd surf; crowd wandering was much more civilised, especially at this now quasi-mythical venue where magic often happened.

Emerging from that gig, I remember my frazzled student brain appreciating an old hand gig goer's verdict that the Rev would go a long way.

He was right, and the road took them and me to the Academy last night where they gave a grown up show for a grown up me, that included one moment from both of our pasts.

Frittering, from the lauded debut album Yerself Is Steam they were touring those many moons ago, was like an old friend popping in and reminding you what splendid company he is.

It shimmered and shattered in front of us, a teenage rush from start to end. And it made me want to relive the psychedelic glory of songs about chasing a bee inside a jar and Coney Island cyclones.

Still led by Jonathan Donahue, we were treated to an array of songs from their latest album, Snowflake Midnight, a decent return to form, it seems.

And those thirsting for some back catalogue gems were forced to make do with Deserter's Songs.

Which is like saying we had to make do with winning the title, because the Champions League got away.

Set to a backdrop of planets zooming past, spider's web and swimming seahorses, we got an other-worldly Holes, still dug by little moles, in case you wondered.

And we got Goddess On A Hiway, one of those miraculous songs that manages euphoria despite the sadness.

"And I know, it ain't gonna last," Mr Donahue sings, going faster than he's ever gone before.

The Mercury Rev set is a mix of extremes these days, bursting with beautiful songs and extreme noise, with a lead singer catching the sunshine in his hands one minute and thrashing out imaginary drums the next.

It's still a wonderful thing. They'll go far, these boys.