Bernard Fanning – The Arts Theatre, London

The Arts Theatre only holds 350 people – so tonight’s show was a chance to see a world-class performer, who really should be playing larger theatres if not small stadiums, perform up-close.

Fanning is touring backed by a four-piece band, of which multi-instrumentalist John "Frodo" Bedggood was a stand-out: moving from keyboards to mandolin to violin to help furnish the night with a variety of different sounds.

Clearly making a firm distinction between his solo work and that of his better known band – the night featured no Powderfinger songs. This was news that might have disappointed me had I known in advance – however by the end of the night it didn’t matter a lick as the show was outstanding.

With practically every track from his debut solo album ‘Tea & Sympathy’ featured – the songs really came into their own live. I think the album sounds great – but live, there was another dimension that gave the songs an added anthemic quality that's in some of Powderfingers best work. Particular highlights were a drawn-out “Down To The River”, “Song Bird” and a roof raising “Wish You Well”.

Adding some diversity to the setlist was the piano soaked b-side/i-tunes release “Weekend of Mystery”, which led into an astounding cover of Sam Cooke’s “Lost and Lookin” performed solo on the piano. Another non-album highlight was “What A Fool I’ve Been” an acoustic shuffle that’s something of a duet between Bernard and guitarist Moz, apparantly recorded for the album but left off at the last minute.

The encore started with a solo acoustic take on “Watch Over Me” before the band re-joined for “Yesterday’s Gone” and a closing cover of The Rolling Stones “Dead Flowers” that really emphasized the country lilt to the song.