Now approaching a half-century of activity at the forefront of the English folk-rock movement, Fairport Convention have an understandably relaxed assuredness that presents itself in the band's playing and on-stage presence.

The result was two full hours of material polished over years of playing, punctuated by commentary from the band – currently a five-piece, including founding member Simon Nicol leading the pack – which ranged from anecdotal introductions to songs new and old to entertainingly rambling, deadpan jokes.

While the mood among band and audience was pleasantly laidback, today's Fairport line-up still has more than enough verve to show a swift turn of pace, with driving new song Myths And Heroes – a possible inclusion in a new album due out later this year – upping the tempo of the set.

Fiddle player Ric Sanders added nimble and energetic melodies throughout which, combined with some of the band's classic songs, kept the crowd moving. This was noted and appreciated by singer Nicol, at what he explained was one of the few non-seated venues on their tour.

A single-song encore of a rendition of Meet On The Ledge concluded an absorbing, upbeat evening.