FORMER Beach Boy Brian Wilson had enraptured fans dancing in the aisles.

In fact, the only person who seemed not to be having an absolute blast was the great man himself.

Wilson – lead songwiter, arranger and singer with the Sixties supergroup – led the audience through his impressive back-catalogue, supported by his brilliant ten-piece band.

The star, who was a virtual recluse by the age of 25 and has suffered from depression and agoraphobia in the past, re-emerged into the public eye five years ago to write and produced a new album, Smile.

Seated at a keyboard but rarely playing, he seemed frail and sad as he sang classic Beach Boys hits, including I Get Around, California Girls and Surfin’ USA.

Throughout the two-and-ahalf- hour set, he engaged in banter with band members and the audience, who he repeatedly thanked “just for coming along”.

Not a natural performer, however, he seemed shy and slightly uncomfortable throughout – never has the line in Sloop John B “I wanna go home” sounded more plaintive.

Despite all this, Wilson held the audience in the palm of his hand as he sang hit after hit, including And Then I Kissed Her, Good Vibrations and Help Me Rhonda.

He put on an impressive show, which is a testament to his incredible talent as a songwriter and musical arranger.

Conversations overheard during the interval and after the show would suggest that some of the packed-out audience also sensed a certain sadness in Wilson’s performance, perhaps born of a life that has seen its fair share of hardship.

However, there is no doubt that Wilson and his band put on a fantastic show, and pretty much every audience member – including me – will have left The Sage with a definite spring in their step.