May 27, 2008 9:50

The Streets play first UK show this year

Mike Skinner headlines Newcastle-Gateshead Evolution festival

Photo Gallery: The Streets

The Streets played their first UK show this year last night (May 26) as they headlined the Newcastle-Gateshead Evolution Festival.

Playing on the banks of the River Tyne, a buoyant Mike Skinner pogoed his way through a storming greatest hits set punctuated with good-natured banter.

Notable highlights of the hour-long set included a brash, energetic run through 2002 single 'Don't Mug Yourself' and a crowd-pleasing cover of The Prodigy's classic 'Out Of Space'.

The encore saw Skinner bounding out to give a brief rendition of Nelly's 2002 smash hit 'Hot In Herre', before playing an impressive version of his own Number One from 2004, 'Dry Your Eyes'.

Other highlights included a chatty Kate Nash, who inspired one of the festivals loudest singalongs to 'Birds' and fan favourite 'Foundations', while Lightspeed Champion's set earlier in the day boasted an impressive classically-tinged medley of 'Star Wars' themes that segued into a rockier extended version of 'Midnight Surprise', giving Dev Hynes an opportunity to show off his axe-wielding talents.

Running across two stages on Newcastle-Gateshead's quayside, Evolution also featured appearances by CSS, New Young Pony Club, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, and a rapturously received set from Welsh chart-topper Duffy.

The Bank Holiday festival marked the end of a week-long indoor programme which had boasted gigs from Sons & Daughters, Seth Lakeman, Audio Bullys and Arman Van Helden.