The Divine Comedy

Thirty years is a long time to be doing anything. When it’s the length of your career in music (so far), it’s reasonable to want to mark the achievement, to take stock, to appreciate. Some bands might tour.

I Like' is a cute love song for his partner that had Hannon pogoing energetically, despite complaints about his dodgy knees

The Divine Comedy's five-night residency at the Barbican was initially billed for October 2020 to celebrate the band's 30

Frontman Neil Hannon gained confidence and swagger over the course of the night

Neil Hannon is performing ten of his albums during a delayed five-night residency

The evening’s entertainment commences with Salford’s Ren Harvieu whose set is a captivating and compelling slice of haunting cabaret, with first-class accompaniment by Romeo Stodart (of The Magic Numbers fame). The chanteuse concluding a perfectly matched aperitif for what follows with Body Shot and Swerves and Curves.

Neil Hannon came on stage dressed in a plain suit, a matching plain tie and a white shirt.