An intimate homecoming gig in a setting as civilised, historical and let’s be honest, quaint as Saltburn Community Theatre made for a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday evening listening to Our Man in the Field deliver an accomplished set of folk-slash-country-slash-Americana, if you like to label such things.
A gig with an interlude is possibly the way forward, with fourteen songs in the main set punctuated with a trip to the bar and a mingle with the band at their merch table.
The understated, skilful drumming (without sticks during the encore) laid the foundation for some highly skilled cello work and sympathetic punctuation from Henry on slide guitar, all leaving the stage clear for lead singer and acoustic guitarist, Alex, to delight the seated audience with his impressive vocal range. Flanked by his energetic bassist, each song was character-based and often socially or politically influenced without a hint of preachiness.
Stand-out tracks included ‘The Road’ – a mews on our consumption of news and gossip – and the beautiful ‘Come Back to Me’, inspired by teachers, namely Alex’s own mum, leaving his Saltburn audience delighted.
