A few transport workers go on strike and I am spat out of a Silverlink train at Kentish Town hoping tardy transportation hadn’t caused me to miss Port O’Brien, tonight’s opening act.

I can only assume that I wasn’t the only one pushed for time that night, because the soundcheck must have been carried out in all of two minutes. When the band first took to the stage, everything was out of whack and the vocals of the first song were completely lost.

Once this had been dealt with, Van Pierszalowski, Caleb Nichols, Josh Barnhart, Cambria Goodwin (banjo, vocals and baked goods, according to the website) and Other Un-named Guy (various hand-percussion and, erm, Bez-ing), led the audience through a collection of enjoyable alt-country tunes, which referenced early Shins, Wilco and occasionally Arcade Fire.

One moment in particular stood out, as the demure, smiling Goodwin emitted what can only be described as a demonic banshee screech during one of the songs, before nonchalantly hopped across the stage to dance with the guitarist.

Modest Mouse deserve a mention, mainly for their impassioned performance of songs old and new, but also partly because Johnny Marr now really, really looks like Super Hans.

Mike Bloss