Critics pan their music as simplistic and stereotyped; Radio 1 removed them from their playlist and they been written off more times the Millennium Dome's debts, yet Status Quo continue to rock on after nearly four decades at the top.

They brought their travelling show - their biggest for ten years and which takes in Europe and Australia - to York Barbican last night, and proceeded to demonstrate just what keeps them at the top.

The music may be uncomplicated, but it is loud, foot-tapping and fun - a formula that was spoon-fed to the audience from the moment Quo took the stage. And what a winning formula: tried and true Quo tracks from down the years, and when they did stray from their own hits, it was onto the safest of ground - rock classics from the likes of Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and even Cliff Richard.

But it's not just the music that had the audience in raptures - it's the sheer exuberance of their stage performance. It's hard to believe that original band members Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt are in their 50s, and that Parfitt had a quadruple heart by-pass operation a couple of years ago. For nearly two hours, they pounded out the tunes with hardly a pause for breath.

Quo's music may be uncomplicated but it is unique. Over the years they have created a distinctive sound - British pop rock, taking the hard, black rock'n'roll of the 50s and 60s and adapting it, with the aid of some Celtic harmonies, into an instantly recognisable sound. Uniquely British, uniquely Quo.

It's a long time since I bought a Quo record (Like Ice In The Sun more than 30 years ago) and I don't think I will start buying their records now. But I wouldn't have missed this gig for the world. It was a splendid reminder of just how great live music is and how much better Quo are in the flesh.