Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters review, Royal Albert Hall, London: Exceptional

The majestic setting of the Royal Albert Hall, packed to the rafters, saw an exceptional performance by Robert Plant in fine voice.

His band: Liam Tyson (formerly of Cast) and Justin Adams, were both capable of delivering the required virtuoso guitar, along with Seth Lakeman on fiddle.

Incense filled the air as Plant opened gently with tracks from new album Carry Fire with its Moroccan Joujouka tribal sound.

They led on folk and traditional tunes - Richard Thompson’s "House of Cards", "Gallows Pole" and Joan Baez’s “Babe,I’m Gonna Leave You” - energy rising rocking and rolling through "Little Maggie”, “Freewheelin’ In My Mind (I’m Fixin’ To Die)", then culminating with Led Zeppelin’s “Misty Mountain Hop”.

Fans were ecstatic to hear Zepp’s “What Is And What Should Never Be” loud and heavy fused with teasing strains of “Whole Lotta Love" - complete with psychedelic light show .

Surprise guest Chrissie Hynde duetted on "Bluebirds over the Mountain”, who went on to perform the Christmas song "2000 Miles” for a very seasonal finish to a most memorable evening.

Finally “Whole Lotta Love” exploded in a wall of sound proving Robert Plant can still deliver. Big time