Marlowe's Faustus made a pact with The Devil. The traditional English folk band Faustus served up two sets full of jolly slabs of misery that might bring a smile to the Prince Of Darkness himself.

Narrative songs of humankind's woe and despair followed one after another, many with splendid uplifting melodies that made the feet tap and the heart dance.

Formed in 2008, Faustus now have a UK tour and a second album, Broken Down Gentlemen. There are three players, all with fine pedigree. Paul Sartin (fiddle and oboe) and Benji Kirkpatrick (guitar and bouzouki) are from Bellowhead, while Saul Rose is as good a melodeon player as this country can boast. Not old enough to remember Lonnie Donegan, Faustus were having fun and, while they gave the songs context, they also made the crowd laugh.

Their three-part harmonies impressed, their playing was slick and they were all comfortable sharing the spotlight. The two military songs The New Deserter and Banks Of The Nile really hit the spot, while The Ballina Whalers, a song associated with Nic Jones, was rapturously received. Og's Eye Man ended a show that proved without doubt that The Devil does have all the best tunes.