AS double-bill and Americana female singer-songwriter acts go, this was one I had been looking forward to with much interest. I had not seen Anais Mitchell before and Erin McKeown, despite much acclaim, has disappointed on a couple of occasions.

Mitchell was first up and how well she performed. With her girly vocals mixed with a fine touch on acoustic guitar and open persona, she soon won over the audience and, as for her songwriting, she pulled quality songs out like a magician pulls rabbits from a hat.

Her set covered material from her two albums, with a couple of new treasures thrown in. One song, The Shepherd, really made it all the way to my heart.

And while McKeown and her incredible Gretsch guitar were soon to take over, Mitchell did return for a few songs.

As for the bubbly crowdpleasing McKeown, the likes of To A Hammer and a requested You Were Right About Everything saw her press all the right buttons.

With a strong bond between the acts as each guested on the other’s segment, it was fitting that, after McKeown had utilised the participation of the audience for Blackbirds and generally had them eating out of the palm of her hand, the evening closed with both acts on stage.

With so much talent and good songs between them it needed something special to end with, and a rousing version of the traditional blues gospel Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down fit the bill, as if they had been performing it since birth.

Maurice Hope