It's a long way from supporting Hayseed Dixie in the King's Head pub to headlining the Open House Festival, but, as compere Ralph McLean pointed out last night, there's no-one more deserving of success than ‘Seasick' Steve Wold.

The blues singer and homemade-guitar-player has been embraced by Belfast over the past five years, staging triumphant performances everywhere from the John Hewitt to the Grand Opera House.

Wold is currently touring to |promote his fifth album in six years, and the Ulster audience remain as keen to see the prolific American as he is to play.

As with his past few shows, the Festival Marquee was packed and the black-draped, subtly-lit tent was an ambient environment for the love-in.

There were fierce foot-stompers, sublime ballads and a cool rendition of Walking Man, complete with Wold's trademark shtick of dragging a girl out of the audience to sit beside him.

Seasick Steve may be just as comfortable playing the main stage at Glastonbury, but this artist can still turn a cavernous venue into an intimate joint.

ANDREW JOHNSTON