The support act was a distinctly American sounding Dutch band called Walker's Diver (iirc). I think what they played could be called Americana. Generally not exactly my cup of tea but they were very well-rehearsed and got part of the crowd going on a couple of songs, particularly on one close harmony song.

The last time I was at this venue, located opposite a police station, the sound had been *way* too loud, drowning out the vocals and acoustic guitar (Gods & Monsters, an excellent NYC band). Not this time. The sound was surprisingly good, even during the first couple of songs.

Entering the stage on his own, wearing a black and white chequered shirt, Robyn said hello to the audience after testing the microphone with a softly spoken "F*ck you" (immediate laughter), if I heard correctly. The show opened with a stunning solo rendition of I Often Dream Of Trains (easily one of the highlights, imo).

Then the Venus 3 joined Robyn, also entering stage right and taking their positions swiftly, ready to rock. And did they rock. This band just gets better and better.

Some notes on the new songs. The first new song played and announced by Robyn as "a song about Brian Epstein" was a lovely, slow doowop song which brought That's When Your Heartaches Begin to mind. I love it. The second new one Goodnight Oslo (confirmed title) was being played for the first time for a paying audience, Robyn said. It somehow reminded me of While My Guitar Gently Weeps (covered at the WAAW gig). Its fragile melancholic melody is beautiful. An instant classic up there with songs like Arms of Love, the best of Trains and Mr Kennedy. The highlight of the set for me. The last new song played (Thin Line? I'm Falling?) had great, philosophical lyrics. In sum, I can't wait to hear the new album.

There was also a very short instrumental that had Robyn whistling and Peter filling in and sounded like a bridge that could have been on the reunited Soft Boys' Side Three ep. If this instrumental is included in the setlist, the band played 21 songs.

Brenda's Iron Sledge was okay but seemed uninspired for some reason, but the following thrashing, garagey sequence of Creeped Out and The Authority Box rocked totally, as did Kingdom Of Love and If You Were A Priest played earlier in the set. I liked the way Robyn added more dynamics to his vocals in The Authority Box.

Madonna of the Wasps featured a well-dosed intro, it wasn't over-embellished.

Overall, Robyn's singing was very good and the band's crystal-clear jangly guitar work shone. Robyn and Scott exchanged smiles during the ooh's and got the close harmonies just right most of the time. Bill Rieflin's drumming was excellent, as always. Scott jumped a lot.

I noticed the intro to Briggs was rather brief (less than half a minute). There was plenty of banter from Robyn this time but nothing really long (deliberately?). Running joke: Christina Aguilera (runners-up: Mr Epstein and Elvis close second, followed by policemen). Thanks to Robyn we now know the origin of the Scottish-sounding coda in The Authority Box lies in the name of Bill MacRieflin.

The subtle harmonica solo in the first song of the encore, Serpent at the Gates of Wisdom (introduced by Robyn in his Dylan voice) was spot-on making the song a nice candidate for a bonus track or a live album, I would imagine.

Already thrilled to hear so many new songs being tried out and one of my all-time favourites, Serpent at the Gates of Wisdom, I was really impressed by the very convincing, creative performance of See Emily Play, with a freakout section that worked very well. I was also amazed at the way this cover had grown since the last time I saw RH&Venus 3 performing it live (the Syd Barrett tribute at the Three Kings, Clerkenwell). And then finally, at the end of what had been a hot day - the sun set with the warm harmonies of Underground Sun. A great show.

Grimble