IT is 25 years since we first heard of twins Craig and Charlie Reid.

Like many people, my first experience was watching them on Top of the Pops... or was it The Tube? Either way, the impression of these two identical strapping Scots, at the same time geeky-looking in their glasses, and tough in their unflinching, scowling, attitude was a powerful one. I was transfixed. And then they started singing - and millions of us become captivated. All these years later I’m still captivated for the same reasons. The image is the same (time has been pretty generous to them both - though they are no longer quite so alike) and so is the gruffness. But more importantly, their voices still soar.

And judging by the packed O2 Academy for their Oxford show, I have a hunch I am not alone.

The place was rammed in a way normally reserved only for chart-topping pop stars and rappers, hot new buzz bands or rock icons.

But this was no room of sweaty kids... this was a room of sweaty adults. Middle aged at that... and almost entirely blokes. The crowd wouldn’t have looked out of place at a home game at the Kassam - and, like a good football or rugby game, there was something tribal going on. We sang and linked arms as one for the big anthems - and mumbled and pushed through to the bar as one during the less-known tunes.

The set list was predictable, as well it should be. Sure, we were treated to some admittedly engaging new tunes from last year’s album Like Comedy, but we were only really there for the big-hitters. And they came in spades.

I’m on My Way drew the first big sing-along, followed by Letter from America - the crowd chanting its litany of Scottish place names. But the roof really came off for the glorious Sunshine on Leith - a song which still touches so many bases, being rousing, powerful and heartwarming but also sad and lonely.

The bros payed testament to aspirations for Scottish independence with devolutionary anthem Cap in Hand, and their tender sides with Let’s Get Married (which still somehow manages to escape sounding schmaltzy).

But it was their biggest hit which really took the roof off - sweat dripping off the ceiling onto a room full of bouncing bodies, as we all joined in with the euphoric I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).

And it was theholler of that stirring chorus which which was still ringing in my ears hours, even days, later.

Altogether now: ““Fa la la da - fa la la da... Da da da dun diddle dun diddle dun diddle da da da!”

Brilliant. I could do it all over again tonight... and tomorrow...