EX-Coral guitarist Bill Ryder-Jones took to the stage for his sell-out homecoming show at the Floral Pavilion on Saturday night.

Part of his UK Ta Tah tour, the night was one of the last chances fans got to hear songs from his latest and fourth studio album, West Kirby County Primary, before he is back in the studio recording a new album with Domino Recordings.

Packing out the Blue Room at the Floral Pavilion was an impressive feat on a freezing cold night like this.

Support from singer-songwriter Matt Maltese and West Kirby band By The Sea, whose sound is reminiscent of Echo and the Bunnymen, complemented the main act perfectly.

Recently a patron at Liverpool's Mental Health Festival, Bill has been open about his depression and how he uses music as a release and therapy.

So along with high points there were lows with tracks such as Daniel, written about Bill's older brother who passed away, and shows the effects of his death in a way other people can relate to.

The reserved Bill listened intently to the crowd chanting lyrics back to him which seemed to push the GIT Award-winner to another level.

Songs from the album tipped their hat to local landmarks such as Catharine and Huskisson and Two To Birkenhead, capturing the imagination of local people in a way only Bill knows how.

The solo part of the set was the most moving with sombre tracks such as Seabirds and By Morning I, people were hushed to silence.

Globe rating: Five stars