With every ticket sold long before they'd even had a track downloaded, expectations were bound to be high for this latest hard-rocking supergroup.
At the trio's core is a cv which boasts such bankable outfits as Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters and Nirvana and even their touring additional fourth member Alain Johannes is no newcomer.
It's hardly surprising therefore that there was as much anticipation at seeing them for who they are rather than what they are.
But as soon as their first thundering riffs of Elephants rattled the ornate plaster of Blackpool's historic Empress Ballroom it was clear that Messrs Dave Grohl (drums), Josh Homme (vocalist/guitarist) and John Paul Jones (bass guitar) are out to establish their joint venture as a major force rather than simply a sideshow hobby for three gold old boys of rock.
Any shortcomings of their self titled debut album – which lacks much in the way of a new identity and which all too frequently relies instead on already well trodden rock and blues clichés – have been ironed out and their live set is testament to a musical collective clearly at the the top of their tree.
Granted if you close your eyes during Scumbag Blues you'd be forgiven for thinking Jack Bruce from that earlier supergroup trio Cream had entered the building and when they change pace for a Gorillaz style psychedelic meander on Interlude With Ludes, there's maybe a hint of what the future may have in store.
Essentially, though, whilst Grohl thunders the drums like a man demented and John Paul Jones has lost none of his bass playing genius, it's the commanding charisma of Homme's wide ranging vocals and classically soaring guitar playing which establishes the band's identity as future stadium giants.
Robin Duke