SETTING aside how much Fairport have contributed to folk rock music, last Friday’s sell-out show was a reminder of how great a band they are.

As the rain teemed down outside, and none other than Robert Plant looked on from the crowd, the latest Fairport incarnation created a wonderful warm atmosphere.

Dave Pegg was the genial, gregarious centre, a man whose bass playing has graced many seminal records down the decades. Yet he was clearly in the here and now, and like the others, enjoying both the music and the company.

Guitarist Simon Nicol is now the only original member – although Pegg has been in the band since 1969 – and he provided the erudite wit and his singing of Lord Franklin was one of the highlights. Relative newcomer Chris Leslie (’96 vintage) offered lovely tenor singing and dexterity on a range of instruments.

While it is true that most of the new songs can’t really hold a candle to past achievements, the musicianship was always a joy – and on the instrumental The Gallivant, outstanding; in no small part down to the clever writing of Ric Sanders on violin. Gerry Mulligan was a quietly welcome presence on percussion.

The 21-number setlist was well chosen, with light and shade and time for plenty of self-deprecating humour. It was striking to listen to older songs such as Crazy Man Michael and understand how deliberately the Liege And Lief band sought to evoke the past. When four voices joined together for Farewell, Farewell, they did far more than simply honour fallen bandmates, but breathed fresh life into a canon that will endure.