GREETED by an enthusiastic crowd, Swedish/Canadian pop, folk country act Sarah MacDougall lived up to all expectations.

The audience enjoyed the carefully-spun fare of this engaging performer, who was aided by Weissenborn guitar genius, Tim Tweedale. He also played trumpet and supported on harmony vocals.

Quiet and methodical in her singing, MacDougall not only brought a feel of her native Scandinavia and the wide open spaces of Canada but, in jaunty delights Hundred Dollar Bills and Ballad Of Sherri, the minstrel-like qualities akin to mainland Europe.

After touring with his friend Billy Bragg, Indiana’s Otis Gibbs was back to fronting his own shows – and how his supporters liked the idea.

He’s an excellent writer of songs concerning the trials and tribulations of those less fortunate.

Hence it was an evening speaking of the homeless, railroad bums, union picket lines and shameless US TV preachers, as in his song Preacher Steve.

The anthem-like The People’s Day, like a good few more songs, had the audience helping out without any prompting.

Although Gibbs, with his straggly beard, looked like he’d just descended from a remote mountain region, his driving acoustic guitar and gritty vocals were perfect for a Saturday night.

Maurice Hope