A measured approach has been a hallmark of Suzanne Vega's lengthy career – and how it showed at this standalone Scottish concert.
Thunder and lightning preceded the New York-raised songsmith's appearance as part of Regular Music's Summer Nights At The Bandstand series, with onlookers at the open-air venue thoroughly drenched long before showtime.
When support act Amelia Coburn's set was interrupted by an extended power cut it seemed as if the Glasgow event would inevitably be curtailed, but she was eventually allowed to make her return.
Valiant efforts were made to clear water from the distinctly soggy stage but events almost took a potentially disastrous turn when Vega's guitarist Gerry Leonard slipped and fell while making his entrance, narrowly avoiding serious injury.
To his credit, the Irishman was swiftly back on his feet and strapping on his instrument, with the unflappable Vega reassuring fans that he was unhurt.
Anyone's temperament would have been severely tested in such trying circumstances, but the ultra-composed pair merely got on with it – and what a splash they made.
A song as loved as Marlene On The Wall is certainly helped to spread good vibes as an opening salvo, with fingerpicker Vega – incredibly now 67 – stylishly dressed in a black dress with matching leather jacket and boots, a chiffon scarf and top hat.
The groovy strut of 99.9F° lent the proceedings a playful air, with a stunning take on the seductive Caramel heightening the senses amid the ongoing atmospheric chaos.
With cellist Stephanie Winters joining the duo, a suitably epic Queen And The Soldier, from the alt-folk star's 1985 eponymous debut album, and the sprightly Elvis Costello homage When Heroes Go Down paved the way for some of the impressive highlights contained on her latest offering, last year's Flying With Angels.
These included the beguiling Chambermaid, which afforded Vega the opportunity to adorn her introduction with a yarn about once kissing Bob Dylan, whose I Want You inspired it.
I Never Wear White proved another delicious morsel that further diverted attention from nature's attempted hijacking of the gig, with the whispering chanteuse going full-on black widow spider.
Post-millennium Bowie collaborator Leonard's guitar soared high on Luka before another step change, as the always charming Vega went a-prowling the stage during a crowd-pleasing, staccato Tom's Diner – defying fears of another slide while showing some fancy footwork.
An encore that included a cover of Lou Reed's A Walk On The Wild Side topped off a remarkably enjoyable show given the meteorological carnage that unfolded around the plastic poncho assembly.
Picture credit: Shotbyagunn Photography
