In the late 1980s, a friend worked in the part of London where then teen superstars Bros did their shopping. "They're here again," he'd phone, "chucking piles of clobber in the back of the limo." Back then, you either loved Matt and Luke Goss especially if you were under 16 and female) or hated them with a vengeance. Their anthem When Will I Be Famous? was the first signal of today's wannabe celebrity culture and, when the 1980s' ultimate materialists finally split on the verge of bankruptcy, few tears were shed. Drummer Luke launched several failed comebacks, while high-voicedMatt decamped to Los Angeles.
Performing in the UK for the first time in 10 years, it's a far cry from the days when Bros's all-conquering Big Push tour packed out Wembley Stadium. Manchester University's smallest room is a third full, although a pair of knickers hits the stage. Goss examines them closely and places them carefully on a mic stand. Well, it has been a long time.
Goss is barely recognisable, which is probably just as well. The remains of his 1980s blond-hair horror lurk under an ever-present cap; the clothing budget stretches no further than an Eminemstyle vest. Goss has an absurdly funky band and a heap of new songs littered with references to "nightmares" and "sleeping on broken glass". Face the Wind is laced with John Barry-type strings swoops. Carolyn is an eerie tale about being visited by his dead sister. But, like obvious influence Stevie Wonder, he makes disturbing words sound joyous.
But it's not all good. Projected single Watch Me Fall can't decide if it's a power ballad or a rock freakout and When Will I Be Famous? is delivered with unavoidable kitsch. But it's difficult not to warm to the man as he revels in being back on stage, dips into reggae and flexes mature vocal chords that have forgotten how to squeak.
As his dwindling fan base testifies, everyone is entitled to grow up, and when he says, "You mean the fucking world to me", Goss sounds utterly sincere. It won't be easy, but redemption is possible if the wider world can listen without prejudice.
· At Shepherds Bush Empire, London W12, tomorrow. Box office: 0870 771 2000.
