In March this year at the Shepherds Bush Empire, the Dixie Chicks upset many Americans by proclaiming that they're ashamed to be Texans because George Bush (a Texan) was going to war with Iraq. This led to their CDs being destroyed back home!

Truth no. 2 , a Patty Griffin song was their retort to criticism over the "incident". It goes "you don't like the sound of the truth comin' from my mouth".

Merchandise for sale has slogans like "Chicks Rule" and "Chicks Kick Ass". Another Spice Girls Girl Power campaign in store!

The concert began in style with Goodbye Earl, all about killing an abusive husband.  He's a missing person but nobody's missing him!

Natalie Maines, lead singer, daughter of steel guitarist Lloyd Maines, wore a black and white mini with thigh high boots as she strutted her stuff like a heavy rock singer.

Martie Seidel's fiddle played an Irish jig , which melds into "Ready To Run", another Chicks classic, much to the delight of the many young women in the crowd . More than 60% of the Dixie Chicks sales have been to consumers under the age of 25, a very strange statistic for the usually conservative world of country music.

Emily Robison, playing primarily banjo, is the third member of the group.

The trio is backed by an eight piece band, arguably the best in country music since the 1970's Emmylou Harris Hot Band or the Joe Ely band on his first two albums.

Several bluegrass numbers from their latest album "Home" (their third) followed. An occasional string section joined the stage to support Martie's efforts.

The trio finished with Sin Wagon which includes the refrain "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition".

It's unusual to mention warm up muzak in gig reviews but it was good to hear Elvis Costello's Peace Love and Understanding delivered before the show. Carpenters' Top of the World was another surprise choice as we shuffled out. A packed crowd will be keen to see the trio in London again, probably at Wembley Arena next time.