Andy Shauf @ La Belle Angèle, Edinburgh, 21 Aug

Tucked away from the festival bustle on Cowgate, La Belle Angèle appears to offer something of a refuge. However, the rambunctiousness of the festival finds its way in and becomes evident during the quiet melodies of Ian Humberstone's opening slot. Humberstone delves headlong into the folklore that comprises his lyrics and informs his musical choices, delivering tales from traditional and mystical sources.

As the room fills up towards the end of the set the shushing begins, something that will continue throughout the evening. Andy Shauf and band emerge punctually and with little fanfare, to a keen and baying audience, with a traditional set-up bulked out by a double helping of clarinet. Shauf cuts a coy figure onstage, intensely focused during his pitch-perfect performance, the band more than up to the task of replicating the intricate nature of his songs.

Almost every song from last year's The Party gets an airing, along with standalone single Jenny Come Home and the opener of 2015's The Bearer of Bad News, Hometown Hero. It is all ably performed and lapped up by the crowd, though the concentration does dip at points, leading to conversations echoing around the venue.

The Magician is a perfect closer, prompting a good amount of swaying and singing, but the audience haven't had enough and Shauf is coaxed back out, with wild applause and shouts of “g'on yersel, Andy!”, for a seemingly unprepared rendition of Wendell Walker – a long, meandering story of a love triangle with an inevitably tragic ending. The crowd lose it once more when it's over. Judging by their faces, we don't think Shauf or the band are used to such reactions to this brand of sedate, baroque pop but, despite some early trepidation, they leave with wide smiles.