Joseph Arthur @ Cabaret Voltaire

With his exploits in paint, pen and guitar, Joseph Arthur may be something of a renaissance man, but it's all about the music on this upcoming tour. The last time the Ohio born troubadour stopped by Auld Reekie he indulged in a spot of live art in tandem with the music, but he's at his most beguiling when facing the audience, guitar in hand and a spaghetti junction of pedals and gizmos at his feet. His albums are multi-layered, full-band works, but Arthur can perform faithful – even superior – versions of his songs solo. On his European tour for Our Shadows Will Remain he conjured beats, bass and backing out of a tattered old acoustic guitar with the aid of a few loops and distortions. With a further two albums released in the past year alone, the prolific Arthur is sure to be at his talismanic best. [Nick Mitchell]