For nu-folk fans, it was heaven. Not only were four stars of the scene sharing a bill, they were sharing a stage, adding to each other’s songs in a show of mutual appreciation that was missing only a campfire. North Virginian Andy Cabic from the band Vetiver, the former Fridge bassist Adem, the Argentinian comedian-turned-songstress Juana Molina and the hippy icon Vashti Bunyan boast vastly different backgrounds, but a like-minded approach to making music — hence the title of their collaborative tour.

All four took turns fronting the ensemble, often handing the reins to each other after only one song. It was, as Adem admitted, a daunting way to play a concert and while it kept the crowd on their toes, it was somewhat frustrating to watch. On several occasions, Bunyan had barely settled into her chair when her time was up. “One of my songs would fit into three of everyone else’s,” she half-joked, and fans must have wished she had followed her rebellious instinct and simply stayed put.

More of a Dylan-esque figure for nu-folkies than a signed-up member of the movement, Bunyan’s pure, peaceful paeans were easily the most traditional of the evening. Her spellbinding vocals cut through a dozen musicians on everything from electric cello and violin to bass and hand-held drum, bridging the gap between old folk and new. Written in 1967 — “I wonder what was going on here then,” said Bunyan, surveying the recently restored Roundhouse — I’d Like to Walk Around in Your Mind and her trademark tune Just Another Diamond Day were highlights that needed no help from her friends, although they joined in anyway.

The bearded Cabic and his country-tinged Americana was surprisingly serene, while Adem went full out for experimentation, roping the others in to ring different bells as he played a tiny organ. Molina, who looked like a Fifties housewife, managed to knock giant marbles together without detracting from her enchanting tunes. She was also the first to break rank and nab a solo spot, looping her guitar on keyboards and singing in Spanish. Sometimes, simplicity pays.

Tonight, Glee Club, Birmingham; tomorrow, St Georges, Bristol; Jan 19, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester; Jan 20, City Varieties, Leeds

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