IT’S been a long time since the Fun Lovin’ Criminals had any serious commercial success, but that doesn’t seem to have made an impact on the popularity of the band, whose fans flocked to a sold-out Fibbers to party on a Sunday night.

Opening with We The Three from 2010’s album Classic Fantastic, their well-practised cocktail of funk grooves and hip-hop set an upbeat summer feel to the evening and a guitar-driven variant of Korean Bodega reminded the floor why they did not mind waiting a little longer at the door. FLC were not reluctant to combine more recent tracks with the old favourites, last year’s funk-fuelled Classic Fantastic preceded a blistering version of 1996’s Scooby Snacks. Well and truly warmed up, the crowd bounced to a quick rendition of Supermodel and chanted along to The King of New York. A sing-along cover of York composer John Barry’s All The Time In The World only served to heighten the feel-good tone to the evening. While much of the crowd’s adulation was directed at FLC’s slick front man, Huey Morgan, the whole band seemed genuinely pleased with their reception.

While the digital cameras held aloft alongside Red Stripe cans were proof that some things may have changed during their hiatus from early commercial success, not much else has.

The band’s infectious sense of fun and sound remain the same. And their fans are just as loyal – as was made apparent by the hundred or so people who waited behind on a school night for their DJ set and after-show party.