KURT Vile showed what the fuss was about in between the re-tunings at a much-anticipated, sold out gig to a rapt, respectful crowd.

The American singer-songwriter-guitar player has had more labels stuck to him than the surfaces inside of an old red-light district phonebox.

A performer of sun-drenched psychedelic, Woody Guthrie-like acoustic, Neil Young-esque tunes in a slacker, lo-fi style. But the trick has been for Vile, 35, to soak up all these influences into a cohesive whole that represents him and no one else.

The former forklift driver’s rising reputation had been a slow burner until recent times. Now it has caught fire. Respected music mag Magnet urged its readers to “believe the hype”. Its faith proved justified here.

He was charming and seemingly bumbling as his slight T-shirted long-haired figure swayed about the stage.

But overall his song-writing craft shone through. The catchy Pretty Pimpin’ off his sixth and latest album ‘b’lieve I’m goin down’ a prime example.

I wore a T shirt for The Alchemysts, a band fronted by Brighton musician Paul Simmons. It seemed appropriate as they were named after ancients attempting to turn base metal into gold. Or in Vile’s case basic chords into musical gold.

Four stars