A s luck would have it, Bellowhead’s visit to Oxford’s New Theatre came shortly after they picked up a top award for their latest album Broadside. So there was a celebratory atmosphere last week when a sell-out crowd welcomed home the 11-piece folk rock group formed by Wootton melodeon master John Spiers and fiddler and singer Jon Boden.

The stage was set as ship’s rigging, a fitting backdrop to the sea shanties and broadside ballads from Broadside, which has just been named BBC Radio Folk Awards Album of the Year.

With a brass section on one side and strings on the other, Boden battled manfully to make himself heard above the mostly melodious cacophony.

The songs themselves often sounded quite jolly but ventured into dark territory, featuring a cast of dubious characters including whores and alcoholics.

The stand-out tracks included 10,000 Miles Away, North East coal-mining song Byker Hill, a turn-of-the-century music hall number about a burning pub called Old Dun Cow, Port of Amsterdam, Lillibulero, and the rousing New York Girls. It wasn’t long before the jigging in the rigging had members of the audience clapping along, and they seemed particularly cheered by the instrumental sections, which showed off the skills of various musicians.

At one point, Boden excelled himself by playing a penny whistle while simultaneously tapping out a tambourine beat. It was a fabulous night’s entertainment and my only disappointment was that there wasn’t greater focus on the hugely talented Spiers’ sessions on the melodeon or piano accordion.

While some songs were intriguing and memorable others lacked the same emotional intensity, presumably having been written originally for a quick sing-song in the pub. Most of the set consisted of up-tempo numbers and perhaps might possibly have benefited from a couple of love songs to tug the heart strings — maybe, like Fairport Convention, even with a guest spot from a top female vocalist.

Following this stirring homecoming gig I can’t wait to see Spiers and Boden later this year when they play the Towersey Festival.