Richard Hawley, Electric Arena

Richard Hawley, Electric Arena:

Considering Richard Hawley's latest album is the epitome of a slow-burning affair, it doesn't exactly bode well for a festival crowd in no mood to sit back and be patient.

Yet something happens as the Sheffield crooner ruminates on tunes like Standing at the Sky's Edge and Don't Stare at the Sun; looking every inch the cool 1950s rocker in slick quiff, sunglasses and leather jacket, his moody songs shimmer into shape and create an intoxicating fume that spreads across the Electric Arena and turns non-believers into full-blown zealots.

Tonight the Streets are Ours picks up the pace beautifully, while gorgeous Haagen-Dazs ad tune Open Up Your Door'sends a hundred people running to the nearest ice-cream van for a 99 with a flake.

Verdict: ****