The final chords of Elvis Costello's Peace, Love and Understanding died down and The Dixie Chicks appeared on stage.
The irony wasn't lost on the sell-out audience who whooped and hollered as though they were in Texas.
The Dixie Chicks, who manage to make the Corrs look plain, outraged conservative America earlier this year when lead singer Natalie Maines had the audacity to criticise President Bush's stance on Iraq.
If your idea of country acts is big hair, rhinestones and songs about pickup trucks then you ain't never seen the Dixie Chicks.
These girls rock, and they can also play. Backed by up to 12 musicians including a four-piece string section they filled the Apollo with delicate harmonies and power chords and proved they are as good to listen to as they are to look at.
Sisters Martie Maguire on fiddle and Emily Robinson on banjo and slide guitar took turns in the spotlight but it was singer Maines whose powerful voice was the most memorable.
Songs from Bob Dylan and Maria McKee complemented a virtual greatest hits set and everybody loved it.
After close on two hours a standing ovation threatened to lift the roof off. All this and not a stetson in sight.
The Dixie Chicks, Manchester Apollo
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