There will be plenty of naysayers who wouldn’t consider a show by actor Kiefer Sutherland a worthy excursion on a Monday night, certainly not for over £30 a ticket.

This at least in part explained the crowd at his show at Oxford’s O2 Academy this week: a mix of mostly middle-aged fans who grew up to know and love him as an actor in epic dramas such as 24. And they were exuberant too, singing along to many of his songs.

Any naysayers, such as they exist, are wrong. Yes, on the surface there is little inventiveness or boundaries broken here, and without such an accomplished backing band he would probably struggle to make such an impact, but he is a true showman in fine form.

Kiefer kicks off the show slowly with Can’t Stay Away followed by the driving rock & roll banger Something You Love – and is already hitting his stride.

This adds to the introspective and slightly hypnotic Reckless & Me, apparently inspired by a horse from his professional rodeo time, as if we needed another reminder of his multiple talents.

While knocking out a string of country-influenced numbers, Kiefer looked genuinely moved at the reaction and the cheery welcome Oxford had given him.

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He bantered with the crowd while introducing Going home – noting that many of his songs are about drinking whisky. And who can argue against that!

A cheer greeted the introduction of Bloor Street and his name-checking of TV drama Designated Survivor –in which he starred. To Kiefer’s credit, I was close to forgetting we were watching not just a great live act but an A list star. Far from being an actor ‘having a go’ at music, he is a dynamo – having played around 500 shows in three-and-a-half years.

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A poignant introduction to I’ll Do Anything followed, with the star telling us about how he wanted a love song on the first album, and being inspired by Bridget’s Jones Diary. Even Mr Sutherland, he admits, is not too cool to stay in on a Friday night.

From there on, the songs, certainly in their live form, became more 70s rock, than rock & roll or country. Brushing together Doors and Dolly Parton influences shouldn’t work, but does here.

It felt like most of the first half of the gig was a ruse to get you to the bar.

And when the time came to leave, it was all too soon.

VINCENT WINTER 4/5