STATUS Quo have rocked all over the world; now they were rockin' in Dalby Forest on a Sunday night, and so deep into Dalby Forest, it felt like a Frodo Baggins journey.

Instead of Middle Earth and Lord Of The Rings, here was a North Yorkshire forest clearing, where the hardcore Quo denim army met with the softcore, floating Quo voter, who came armed with Outward Bound clothing, Union Flag blow-up Quo guitars (£2) and serious picnics.

Little Egypt kept it in the family - Francis Rossi's family - in a workmanlike support slot before the sounds of traffic announced Quo and their Heavy Traffic set list.

No matter how cynics may knock their addiction to three chords, the well-grooved partnership of Rossi and Rick Parfitt and their simply affecting boogie is no less galvanising than the Rolling Stones or AC/DC. And so it was that the opening Caroline stirred the inner denim in us all, even if they promptly turned thoughts to Chas & Dave with the thick cheese of a pub singalong The Wanderer.

Pretty much all the favourites were, some in medley form, others in their full glory, like Rain: the only rain of the night until the rock'n'roll encore. There was room for four slabs in a row off last year's Heavy Traffic album, plus early psychedelic Quo, acoustic Quo and proper rocking Quo, leading up to the big-hitting finale of Down Down, Whatever You Want and Rockin' All Over The World. Wood and metal in harmony.

Updated: 11:56 Monday, June 23, 2003