A brimming Concorde 2 once again welcomed the gravelly, nicotine-soaked voice of former Screaming Trees frontman and intermittent Queens of the Stone Age member, who performed a trademark performance showcasing his recent acclaimed album Gargoyle.

Plenty of diehard Lanegan-eers (for want of a better expression) were present, keen to hear the troubadour’s latest effort after his lauded Brighton show promoting previous album Phantom Limb only several years ago.

Hobbling on to the stage with what seemed like a recent injury picked up on tour, the crowd's initial frosty response to set opener Death’s Head Tattoo appeared to be half-prompted by the baltic weather outside.

Three songs in, however, Lanegan plucked out an emphatic version of Hit The City - sans PJ Harvey who featured on the 2004 single - and was accompanied by a sultry backing singer who more than adequately filled Polly Jean’s shoes. Chugging basslines and pounding drum beats still weren’t able to quash Lanegan’s distinct growl; he cut a solitary and poised figure in amongst his backing band and his mystique was exemplified by the lack of interaction with the crowd which only continued to lure them in.

While continually and understandably wetting his whistle as the heat rose in the venue, the set was linchpinned with a frank rendering of Blue Blue Sea which mesmerised an increasingly sauced audience, followed by Floor of the Ocean, a song that could no doubt pop up on a New Order b-sides album if it weren’t for Lanegan’s domineering groan.

There must be a classified music-industry concoction of drink and contraband that helped to cultivate his signature baritone voice, and seemingly only Tom Waits is privy to this secret too.

Veering away from the romanticism of his collaborations with former Belle and Sebastian alumni singer Isobel Campbell in favour of his recent heavier stylings up until this point in the evening, the gig was bookended with a heart-wrenching rendition of ballad Torn Red Heart, with Lanegan subsequently departing the stage as the venue lights lit up the appeased admirers.

After the ear-shuddering performance came to a close, Lanegan kindly took autographs and photos by the merchandise stand, ticking off several fans' Christmas wish-lists in the process.

Thomas Curtis-Horsfall