The Divine Comedy - 2 November 2006 - The Roundhouse, London

When Neil Hannon, the Divine Comedy’s leading light, comes back to London – in 2003, he returned to Ireland after spending 14 years in the capital – he likes to veer from the norm when it comes to venues. The courtyard of Somerset House, the Royal Albert Hall and the London Palladium have all seen Hannon in the last two years. This time round, he’s up in north London at the former railway shed that is the very round Roundhouse.

Unusual is also a fair way to describe the Divine Comedy. The group has only Hannon as a permanent member, and six years after a ‘Best of…’ album, new releases nowadays are not so much greeted with a fanfare as a cursory nod. Critically, however, Hannon’s output has maintained a high standard that has risen inversely to his band’s popularity.

This year’s ‘Victory for the Comic Muse’ album has its fair share of impressive moments, show opener ‘Mother Dear’ being one of them. The Divine Comedy have always competently carried a tune with subtle chord changes and an emphasis on intelligent rather than obscure, wishy-washy lyrics. The greatest hits are also rolled out, including ‘Becoming More Like Alfie’ and ‘Something for the Weekend’, both from the band’s relatively imperial era, when at least they could be heard on the radio.

A string section of two belies its numbers, driving tracks like ‘Our Mutual Friend’ and garnishing a cover of Prince’s ‘Raspberry Beret’. A nod to the Doors - who not only played their only UK date at the Roundhouse, but are a favourite of Mrs Hannon’s, we’re told - in the form of ‘Touch Me’ is the closest to a rock-out you’re likely to see from this lot, however.

Hannon’s inter-song banter brings to mind Jarvis Cocker - each has a wit that works not only on record but also as stand-up. He lights a cigarette at one point, in a venue where no smoking signs are the only fly posters to be seen, while pointing out to the management: “It’s a prop.” Later on, he takes requests, but only from punters polite enough to put their hands up first. Then, when introducing the slow swinging ‘A Lady of a Certain Age’, Hannon warns: “This is our new single, so pull up a chair.”

Whilst the Divine Comedy may have peaked and troughed in the popularity charts over the last 16 years, Hannon appears to be on an even keel these days. If you liked the last one, then you can probably be sure that you’ll like the next one. If you didn’t, however, then there may not be too much for you here.