As he absent-mindedly noodled with his guitar Howe Gelb set the laid-back nature of this double-headline show with old touring buddy Grant Lee Phillips.

Gelb’s opening set consisted of just two songs as he built up to The Train Singer Song – instead taking the time to tell rambling stories from growing up in Pennsylvania. Other artists might have received a hostile reception but he proved an engaging listen, with his rich dark tones channelling the spirit of Coen Brothers’ favourite Sam Elliott.

Phillips’s more song-based performance further deepened the mystery why he is still a little known cult artist, rather than mentioned alongside established Americana favourites Ryan Adams, Jeff Tweedy and Andrew Bird.

Backed by solely an acoustic guitar his stunning voice – both soulful and rootsy - provided the dynamics as he drew on new unreleased material and favourites from his band Grant Lee Buffalo, including audience requests for Bethlehem Steel and Jupiter And Teardrop.

The pair came together towards the end of the second half – after a fuller set from a now besuited Gelb - for a series of impromptu collaborations and covers.

The fun the two friends were having together was transmitted to the audience, especially during versions of George Jones’s He Stopped Loving Her Today and a gorgeous piano-driven take on Neil Young’s Harvest with Phillips reading the words from his phone.