FORMING around the core of husband and wife Suzy Starlite and Simon Campbell, the Starlite Campbell Band are looking forward to a homecoming gig with a difference this autumn.

Now based in Germany, the band, which is steeped in the sound of British blues boom - think early Led Zeppelin and Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac - arrive on these shores after releasing their debut album Blueberry Pie to rave reviews worldwide and a nomination for a European Blues Award.

Their forthcoming gig at Bury Met will be particularly emotional for Simon, who was born and raised in Bury and played an active role in the town’s music scene, featuring in popular bands such as Whitefire, The Disciples, The Method, Roadrunner and Little Brother.

“I fondly remember playing at the previous incarnation of The Met, Summerseat Players in Ramsbottom, The Albert Halls in Bolton and The Ramsbottom Festival in 2015 - the audiences were always fantastic and we had a ball.” said Campbell. “Having headlined festivals on the other side of the world and performing to audiences across Europe, I can’t wait to play a gig on my home turf .”

The duo had been recording, playing and touring independently in bands for many years until they met in 2012, when Suzy asked Simon to join her band as the guitar player. The love extended past each other’s playing and the duo were wed in 2014, before forming Starlite Campbell, in January 2016.

“On this tour we’re doing something a bit different,” explained Simon. “Instead of having a support band we’re playing two sets with an acoustic set in the middle.”

The gig will also be enlivened by the presence of Procul Harum organ player Josh Phillips, who was the keyboardist for British heavy rockers Diamond Head before going on to play with Eric Clapton.

“We were looking around for a keyboardist and I asked a friend of mine, Christian Madden, who plays in Liam Gallagher’s band if he knew anyone,” said Simon. “He said we should try Josh so I sent him a message on Facebook and he said he’d love to play with us.”

As a married couple in a band, Suzy and Simon have little difficulty in maintaining their relationship on stage and off, despite the odd awkward moment on tour.

“We are both passionate about music,” added Suzy. “That’s one of the things that unites us and when we play live we have these little musical spars which are incredible fun. It’s healthy and honest and I love that tension because we love each other completely but we don’t compromise on stage.”

n The Starlight Campbell Band, The Met, Bury, Friday, November 15. Details from www.themet.org.uk or 0161 761 2216