Micah P Hinson / Califone @ Cabaret Voltaire

Stripped of their rhythm section, Chicago's Califone sound lightweight compared to their recorded efforts. Back to the basics of a guitar and fiddle, there's none of the psychedelic trappings that usually set them apart. Instead, tonight they seem more fragile, haunting and delicate. It's a welcome surprise and, though a little disappointment remains that this wasn't a full set, the overwhelming feeling that you witnessed something special prevails. Tonight's headliner, Micah P Hinson, is the epitomy of the distressed hobo. He appears like the travelling troubadour, unable to keep his emotive countryfied blues to himself any longer for fear of exploding in front of our very eyes. Husky, hypnotic vocals abound throughout this set which, from where we're standing, appears to be as cathartic as it is enjoyable for Hinson - as well as most of the crowd looking on. Even blind-siding us with a final, personally powerful encore cover of John Denver's This Old Guitar, he shows that there doesn't seem to be much that he can't turn his hand to and make his own. It's not often an artist puts so much raw passion into a performance, but that makes it all the more satisfying when it happens. [Garry Thomson]