If ever there was a master-class in how to take live music the extra mile, then the triple bill of Peel Bay Festival's second night was it. Steve Gibbons, Paul Carrack and Deacon Blue not only put on the top class shows you would expect from true professionals but also possessed in spades that elusive magic which makes audiences jump to their feet and cry out for more.

Blues legend Steve Gibbons is no stranger to the Isle of Man; his band has been entertaining TT crowds for many years. Their performance in the Valhalla Marquee, however, showcased them on a whole new level for local audiences and gave their lean, polished prowess a new chance to shine brilliantly. Gibbons reminded people how a master musician can make the most fiendish licks look fall-down easy. More laid back than a lizard basking in the sun, he let his guitar flow like the jive stories he spun between songs.

What Gibbons shared with Paul Carrack was a crack ensemble of musicians who played seamlessly together. Effortless and relaxed, both bands wove their music as easily as conversation: a joyous sight and sound.

Carrack, like Gibbons, is also one of those performers who are a keystone in the music world. Their session work and collaborations read like a who's who of rock 'n' roll's starry skies. And yet Carrack remains a highly underrated vocal performer: un-showy,
subtle and honest, his voice has a natural ache which could break the toughest heart.

As he unrolled hits 'How Long', 'Tempted', 'The Living Years' and 'Over My Shoulder' with infectious energy, an increasingly rapturous audience began to leave their seats to dance together. Sly and the Family Stone's 'Dance to the Music' made the perfect closing number and the band appeared to be savouring every note just as much as the audience.

Another band who have as much of a ball as their fans are Deacon Blue. It's hard to believe, but the Glaswegian group have been plying their passionate, blueeyed soul for twenty years - not only are they still ridiculously youthful and
vigorous but their songs are still as rousing as they were when first performed.

Drummer Dougie Vipond commented: "What keeps us going is that we don't do it all the time anymore. We all do other things now and come together for these shows. It keeps it nice and fresh."

It also means that the shows they do put on are doubly special for their fans, who were out in force on the night. Deacon Blue inspires rare loyalty: their brace of chart hits are musical touchstones for many people who've grown up and older with their music. This was most in evidence during 'Dignity' and 'Real Gone Kid', which had the seated audience now almost entirely standing and bouncing in one heaving communion.

The band was as taut and instinctive as they were for their show in the Villa Marina in 2004, drawn together under front man Ricky Ross's wild-eyed gaze.

The sustained intensity of his performance anchored the show but the vocal dynamics between him and wife Lorraine McIntosh are still its beating heart. He also turned the spotlight on a delighted audience when he proclaimed that the 'Celtic' lineage of the Blues could be traced directly from the Isle of Man to Route 66. Only one night after Pete Townshend dubbed the Island 'the birthplace of rock 'n' roll', this was an embarrassment of riches!

After the show, Dougie was delighted with the crowd: "I thoroughly enjoyed the gig tonight. It was very good fun. I was a wee bit concerned before going on because I sat and enjoyed the Paul Carrack gig and it felt quite cold in the tent
but it wasn't cold on stage, it was actually very warm, and I hope the audience were fine too. It's just great to be still able to go on stage and have people still stand up and sing along with the songs".

Ricky Ross seconded that emotion. Now writing material for other artists - including Peel Bay's Friday night star Ronan Keating - as well as recording solo, Deacon Blue are still his first love: "I really enjoyed it the last time we played here and I really enjoyed it tonight. It was lovely, actually." With a relaxed atmosphere and dry, brighter weather now smiling down on the marquee, it looks like the good ship Peel Bay Festival is now in full sail. At the end of last night’s show, one festival-goer couldn’t contain their enthusiasm: “I just wanted to say what a fabulous occasion this was. I really couldn’t fault anything about the evening… Well done for a wonderful organisational accomplishment – no stone left unturned!”

Here's looking forward to the next few nights of fantastic music.