Okkervil River at Cabaret Voltaire

It never rains but it pours. As if the tumult of cancelled ferries, lost luggage and choppy seas en route from Belfast wasn't enough for Okkervil River, the Texan sextet have to surmount another virtuoso performance from their chosen support; arguably the most complete act in Edinburgh just now, Broken Records. Those familiar with the band nod approvingly, while those gaining their first exposure gaze on incredulously at this panoptic folk orchestra, displaying absolute irreverence to the 'warm-up band' slot they've been allocated.

Fortunately for Okkervil River (and everyone else in the building), they're not big on resting on laurels. It's not just the turbulent waves of the Irish Sea they've been riding high on; the crest from their latest album The Stage Names shows little sign of subsiding, a sold out Cabaret Voltaire a sure sign that they have gone some way to emulating their homeland success on this side of the pond.

Sharply dressed and looking deceptively youthful (they're touring their fourth album), frontman Will Sheff has a characteristically histrionic stage presence. It doesn't take long to win over a crowd left agitated after a long delay and various sound problems, an escalating rendition of The President's Dead kicking the set off in a vociferous manner they steadily intensify.

Sheff's otherwise impressive and surprisingly 'rock' vocals may not have the upper register to scale the highest notes of A Girl In Port, but the exuberant brass outro proves a worthy foil. Indeed, it's the peripheral flourishes of trumpet, accordion, mandolin and percussion that really impress: most blatantly on the early bluegrassy eponymous track and recent additions to their repertoire: the frenzied sashay of A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene and a semi-acoustic, hand-percussion driven take on the single Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe.

For a band whose best art recounts the business of individuals, Okkervil River's live performance is a celebration of the unit, showcasing their collective excellence as a band.

Read our event preview feature of Okkervil River at Cabaret Voltaire.