Opener David Blosse is a relaxed but powerful singer and, with the help of Mark Intravaia on slide guitar and a fine double bassist, effortlessly punched some cheerfully melancholic songs through the growing conversation.

Unfortunately, Matt English's acoustic guitar and vocals, a pretty cellist and a percussionist with a single snare drum and a marracca were swamped by talk. I could barely hear them directly in front of the stage.

I wanted to hear more. Eve Selis was a revelation. Her voice soars and occasionally rasps over the tightest country-flavoured band I've ever seen.

Marc "Twang" Intravaia, who had already played with Blosse, is Eve Selis's songwriting partner as well as a stunning guitarist, swapping riffs through the evening with the equally astonishing "Cactus" Jim Soldi.

Sharon Whyte's keyboards, accordion and vocals filled out what could otherwise have been an overly guitar-heavy sound. Rick Nash on bass held down the bottom perfectly while posing as a hayseed, and drummer Bob Sale was subtle perfection with pure power when needed.

Mentioning that people said he resembled Alexei Sayle, he donned a small English policeman's helmet with a flashing blue light on top for the finale.

But it was Eve Selis's show. With this good-humoured team behind her, she strutted and gestured and sang her heart out. If you like alt.country, make sure you don't miss her next visit although it might have to be at the Brighton Centre.