****

The prospect of Minnesota trio Low performing a Christmas concert in such a handsome (and festive) venue was extremely enticing on paper.

Yet, unfortunately, the talking point after the show had nothing to do with the melodic, atmospheric music the band served up in a two-hour set that incorporated material from their 1999 Christmas record and throughout their career.

As the evening progressed, an animated man sat in the front row began to rise to his feet and dance in the small space between band and audience. At first the seated crowd reacted positively to this display, cheering the man on.

When his antics persisted, though, the tone of the night shifted - especially when he invaded the stage and forced the band to stop playing. As heckles from the audience grew, he was escorted backstage by security.

Vocalist and drummer Mimi Goddard reasonably told us not to "hold it against him", but there was no doubt the incident derailed a portion of the show.

That aside, Low showed why they have enchanted a loyal fanbase for more than 20 years. Opener Long Way Around The Sea was a highlight - its hushed, haunting chorus shared between Goddard and her husband Alan Sparhawk (as with many Low songs). The former's rich, resounding vocal took centre stage in Just Like Christmas, awash with sleigh bells and the most upbeat point of the set.

There can't have been many distortion-drenched renditions of Silent Night in history but Sparhawk successfully turned the folk classic into a festive feedback frenzy. A second set consisted of songs from Low's most recent album Ones And Sixes and old favourite Sunflower, which was as melancholic yet uplifting as ever.

It was unfortunate that the earlier drama had been such a distraction, but, as Goddard urged, we shouldn't hold it against the person in question - nor the band who delivered a stellar set despite the disturbance.