QUIRKY country duo The Handsome Family brought a slice of their alternative Americana to expectant fans. 

Husband and wife Brett and Rennie Sparks, from New Mexico, delivered dark tales of death, frogs and backwoods romance, all spun with deadpan humour.

The pair got a career boost when brooding ballad Far From Any Road was used as the theme to acclaimed crime series True Detective. It provided one of the many highlights at The Globe in Cardiff.

Rennie kept the packed audience amused with bizarre quips to introduce each number, bluntly calling So Much Wine "a song about drinking too much at Christmas" and plucking on her bass ukulele.

As the other half of the double act, Brett held the show together projecting his gargantuan growl from behind his guitar. A drummer and additional guitarist skilfully completed their live ensemble.

The set covered the outfit's 10-album history, including Wilderness, with its focus on weird happenings in the animal kingdom, and last year's soulful Unseen.

After a folky start, the volume was raised for the thundering Octopus and the front rows got dancing.

The gentle xylophone lullaby No One Fell Asleep Alone softly brought things back down to earth.

A surreal and magical night enjoyed by all. 

Declan Harte