Thrusting himself into the front row, gold guitar in hand and drenched in sweat, Gavin Rossdale was every inch the rock star. And the mixed crowd at Camden Underworld adored him for it; even, in fact especially, the grungy fans that preferred a good old head-banging track to the calmer type.

It was a little unusual to see said fans proclaim their love for Gavin before resuming the more subdued image but in the heat of the moment they got away with it. The musician's enthusiasm was infectious.

The more intense the song, the heavier he would play. His band followed with the frontman bashing drum cymbals in between vocals. To say his performance was energetic would be putting it mildly. If the day job ever wears thin, there is definitely scope for a Gavin's Onstage Workout fitness video.

The 40-year-old is best known as the former lead of Bush, who made it big in America and secured a dedicated British fanbase. Things have changed a lot since the early days. Gavin now has a wife (Gwen Stefani as it happens) and baby to think about and with the alterations come a new, less angry style.

In most good gigs there is a stand out moment; the one that seals the deal. For this show, it was a toss up between the stunning Glycerine and Chemicals Between Us, both Bush numbers.

But this isn't to say the new material was dismissed. Things look promising as far as the latest album, Wanderlust, is concerned. With time, these records will be better known and have the potential to make the same impact.

This was a big show crammed into its intimate surroundings. 'This is a hometown gig,' the Londoner said. 'I could just walk back to my house.' He probably didn't but he did look excited to be getting back to his roots. 'Bush played at Camden underworld just as we were going up,' he added. Let's hope the same will soon be said for the singer's solo career. No doubt, he deserves it.

*Wanderlust is in stores now