Colly Strings open the evening with a chiming rock number to grab our attention and let us know that the show has begun. They then opt to continue in an ‘unplugged’ direction. The songs tend towards earnest indie pop, the type associated with teenage American TV dramas. Thankfully there is more to this quartet than that; the song writing is strong and their performance is executed with precision. Their multi-part harmonies in particular are impressive, adding depth to ‘Speaking In Tongues’, which shows talent capable of more than merely making music for media placement.

Next to take the stage are The Salt Flats; a quintet of multi-instrumentalists using a delightful palette of instruments (including harmonium, omnichord, cajon, and other more traditional voices) to produce familiar folk melodies driven by pop rhythms. Not reliant on modern gimmicks, there is a sense of fun and swagger throughout that is connected to older traditions, spanning polka to sea shanty. With its infectious and familiar sounds, this is music to unite people across generations and borders.

Headlining act Minotaur Shock (pictured) is one-man-band David Edwards. He climbs behind a part-acoustic, part electronic drum kit, and starts with ‘Zoo Keeper’, an enchanting tune, complete with cinematic keys and dub echoes. It is unusual to watch one man at a drum kit throughout a performance, and being aware of this he treats us to some silly arm waving and drum stick play before dropping the most bombastic number of the night, ‘Vigo Bay’, which gets a round of appreciative cheers from the crowd on the Barge.

The rhythms are bouncy but not aggressive, the bleeping backing synths add some arcade-game urgency to the set, but it doesn’t work with all of the audience. There is a split between those who get up to dance, and those that leave early. Sadly, the venue is visibly beginning to clear before the end of the set. The friendly between-song banter and jolly beats haven’t persuaded all of the crowd and the last song ends with less applause than the first. An odd ending to an interesting event: an excellent musician in an intimate venue isn’t enough for some people on a Friday night. Barry Cullen