THE Brotherhood of Man have been going 40 years but Swindon has not figured highly on the act’s radar. This was evident when Nicky Stevens, one quarter of the 70s Eurovision winners, had to ask in the Hop Inn pub next door where the venue was.

Yet by the end of this polished, exuberant performance, they lapped up the adulation on the stage as if long-lost sons and daughters of the town.

The pop band received two standing ovations, each of which went on for the best part of five minutes – a rarity for an act out of the charts for so many years.

Fun things started in the 70s, the band told a half-full Old Town Arts Centre last Thursday.

They included streaking, jogging and the Goodies.

Grime, chillaxing and Grand Theft Auto were not even a mote in the mind's eye.

The veteran stars took us on a guided tour of the 70s, taking it in turns to stand in a small pulpit at the back of the stage and reel off facts about the years as if giving answers to a pub quiz.

The feel-good factor was set from the beginning with an uplifting rendition of Love Grows by Edison Lighthouse The mega-watt smiles, crisp white shirts and amiable inter-play between the four was infectious.

In the first half, a foot tapped on the floor.

In the second we were wooping and swaying in our seats.

Among the numbers that flew by were Michael Jackson's Blame it on the Boogie, the Wombles song and Sweet Rosalyn by Sheryl Crow.

The group drew close to recreate their 1976 Eurovision win with Save Your Kisses for Me and it looked as if they'd never left that hallowed stage.

I lost my mobile under a chair, but it didn't matter.

This was the 70s and even brick phones were a thing of the future.

Nicky's soulful vocals were as good as any of the decade's veterans as they filled the theatre.

She formed the perfect happy family with fellow members Lee Sheriden, Nicky Stevens and Sandra Stevens.

The 70s returned, and conquered.