When Seasick Steve described The Wiyos as a band that would surprise, it was a right-on-the-money observation.

Back then (2009) the stage performance was stuffed with surprises both on the content and visuals front.

The magic carpet ride resumed and when the latest incarnation hit the UK in 2011, once again, they continued to surprise to startling effect.

Gone were the early influences that launched the musical journey, although the more observant would find juicy, reassuring points of reference still flavouring the marvellous mix.

The Wiyos have continued to develop a richly-ornamented original character that has matured to breath-taking effect.

They were never easy to pigeon-hole. Nothing changes.

Shape-shifters they may be, but they continue to amaze...and are so darned irresistible that even diehard fans of the old-style format remain firmly under the spell.

Martin Sharman, reviewing the band's recent beguiling performance in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, for backroadsmusic.co.uk gave readers an insight when commenting on a section of the show where they led their mesmerised audience into "uncharted territory".

"Having discarded the safety of recorded material, the band treated us to glimpses of their freshest songs.

"Oh my, and what songs they are. From out of nowhere we are hearing tales of freshly-born babies whose heads are falling off. But it's OK, because mama has another one! The band has forgotten all they learnt about the 1920s, and suddenly remember all those Beefheart records that they listened to instead of attending college. Incredibly, a whole brass section is implied from one cornet and a blues harp.

"The song structures develop into snaky, devious journeys. Simultaneously tear-jerking and disturbing, this new material invokes McCartney at his most melancholy, Lennon at his most acid-inflected, and Oz in all of its most surreal, Technicolour glory."

Many others were equally complimentary:

"Not to be missed" - Keith Bruce, Arts Editor, The Herald

"A once-in-a-lifetime experience" - No Depression

"A blast from start to finish" - Maverick magazine

"They may well be the best band we've had: superhuman" - Whippoorwill 'Live' Music Events, Sheffield.