Banking On Hannon

Neil Hannon took a standing ovation at the Waterfront Studio in Belfast last night. It wasn't one of those phoney acclaims that are sometimes cooked up between the artist and his people. Rather, this was a spontaneous surge - a sign that for well over an hour, the guy had delighted us with ballads, skits and philosophies, delivered on piano and guitar.

He had picked through some of the giddy parts of his recent album, 'Bang Goes The Knighthood'. Sometimes he faltered on the lyrics or the chords, but his charm was enough to carry the event and happily, he was more focused than his Custom House Square gig, earlier in the year.

Cleverly he began with 'My Lovely Horse', to disarm the shouters in the venue. Extra points for arriving in banker's attire and some bonus cover versions, such as 'Don't You Want Me' and New Order's 'Blue Monday'. The latter was sweetly inserted at the end of 'Indie Disco' and the kick drum effect was replicated by Neil pattering the microphone with his fingers. Chap.

The steady fans were sated by the likes of 'Summer House' and 'Tonight We Fly', while 'Our Mutual Friend' smoldered and fumed with impeccable style. The asides were neat and the bliss of 'I Like' suggested that the artist is currently on his emotional uppers. And who would begrudge him that?