Paul Jeans and Band, Lee Pecquer, Lesley Roley - The Forum, Darlington

SINCE releasing his debut album Tides in early 2004, Paul Jeans has reshaped his band and is, at the time of this gig, several nights into a UK tour taking in Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and London promoting his second album, Original.

When you headline a gig like this you never really know what your support is going to be like. In this case Jeans got a pretty interesting mix.

First up was the impressive Lesley Roley, guitarist and backing vocalist in Jeans' band. She has a full and rich voice, with a superb range and an endearing stage presence. Next was Lee Pecquer, frontman of Darlington punk-rockers, Solanoid, performing an acoustic set. The songs were OK, with the lyrically strong Thunderthighs a high point, but the music just didn't really seem to translate and despite Pecquer beating the living daylights out of his guitar, which is always good value, it still just didn't quite work.

Paul Jeans has an air of tranquillity about him until he gets on stage, engages his emotional gearbox and sets about pouring every ounce of his soul into his music. This is always a joy and privilege to witness, but when it's coupled with an honest and powerful voice, it becomes truly special.

The artist and his band deserve to be heard by larger audiences than those present at the Forum, and I have no doubt that sometime in the near future they will.

If any festival organisers are reading this and mulling over their line-ups for 2006, book this band now, you won't be sorry.

Alex Mitchell