Roy Harper may never have troubled the top of the charts but he has enjoyed a huge cult following since the late Sixties, which has been enhanced by his association with such talents as Jimmy Page, Kate Bush and Nick Drake.

It's easy to see why the singer-songwriter enjoys such a devoted following. He is an accomplished and distinctive guitarist, a fine singer, even at 64, and a witty lyricist whose sometimes dense and sometimes playful work bears close scrutiny time and again.

His banter with the audience is a mix of controversial opinion, rambling anecdotes and interesting non-sequiturs.

He said: "You get the best hecklers in this town."

Harper was joined on stage by guitarist Matt Churchill, who had earlier played a delightful support set of melodic folk guitar.

Churchill then proved a capable deputy for Harper's son Nick on lead guitar. Fans of the younger Harper can catch him at Komedia later in the year.