IN what was surely the most smoothly-run series of open-air rock concerts in recent years (smaller, more self-contained crowds equals virtually trouhle-free, good times for all? But off course!) Counting Crows continued, in Beck Hansen's memorable words, the rocking of the courtyard.

A long-lasting impression of this US band is that they are Bob Seger or Bruce Springsteen on a vagrancy charge, drawing out slices of stream-of-consciousness Americana - occasionally drawing them out too long, especially when lead singer and all-round-intense-person, Adam Duritz, stretches the boundaries of certain songs to breaking point. But when he holds in the reins and takes full control of his sense of theatre as in a radically altered Mr Jones - there is no denying Counting Crows well and truly deliver the goods.

The gel that seemed to prevent the song structures from unravelling was the twin guitar work of the band's co-founder, David Bryson, and Dan Vickrey, a new addition to an already tight-knit unit. Keyboardist and accordianist Charlie Gillingham also added a much appreciated versatility the mix, ensuring that pure rock songs such as I'm Not Sleeping surged to a propulsive, cathartic finale. A sweeping, dynamic Round Here closed proceedings with a collective bout of hysteria.

Very impressive.