Robert Schneider of The Apples In Stereo

Tonight's opening act, the two-piece Community Radio, lived up to their name perfectly: charming, ramshackle and enjoyable, but there was no way you'd confuse them with a professional outfit. At a time when most drum'n'guitar duos are rocking a blues-rock tip, their effect-heavy guitar, languid vocals and minimalist drums (floor tom and snare) was something more akin to 80s dream pop, especially that of New Zealand during Flying Nun's heyday.

Canvas Kites, on the other hand, were nothing but professional: frontman Thom Moore (late of Mercy Arms) knows how to write a song and the trio were impressively polished, even if the PA started to distort every time the three-part harmonies kicked in. Think Arctic-Monkeys-meets-Orange-Juice and you'd be on the right sonic track. Utterly superb.

Then came the man of the hour, and this was more like a hootenanny with an old friend than a gig. Schneider took to the stage with a notebook, an acoustic guitar and a voice that had been put through the wringer after speaking at Brisbane's Big Sound music conference for several days previous. Playing a set that determined primarily on things that people called out for ('Seems So', 'Ruby', 'Strawberryfire', 'Shine A Light' and even an unexpected outing of his Stephen Colbert tribute song 'Stephen'), it ranged from The Apples In Stereo's debut single 'Tidal Wave' through to their (arguably) most well-known song, 2007's 'Energy'. Every song was preceded by rambling introductions ranging from explaining how much more the Apples rocked than he does solo through to his hatred of U2 (which drew massive roars of approval) and Radiohead (which drew a rather more mixed reaction).

So: three very different acts, linked by a shared commitment to classic songwriting. All in all, a perfect night out. Andrew P Street