There are not many occasions when you are part of a ‘gigamoon’, but that is exactly what the seated Thekla crowd were part of during Irish folk singer Heidi Talbot’s Bristol show.

While Talbot sat in the centre of the stage in a long red and white dress, her ukulele resting on her knee, to her right was John McCusker, not just an accomplished fiddle player and producer of Kate Rusby and Roddy Woomble, but also, as of Saturday, Talbot’s new husband.

Talbot and McCusker’s new marital status made the between song banter very funny at times, both bickering about household chores and also telling us all about their six-month-old daughter Molly Mae.

Completing the lineup was Cambridge singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine, playing his guitar during this show and also singing a few songs on his own including the poignant Patience of Angels and the tender Cherokee Rose, about Native Americans being moved to the reservations, which he wrote and which features on Talbot’s upcoming album The Last Star.

With three accomplished musicians on stage, this was a night full of riches. McCusker’s fiddle playing was mesmerising, and if that wasn’t enough he also did a few turns on the low whistle.

But the night still belonged to Talbot, a spellbinding presence and blessed with a beautiful voice honed in her native Ireland and the folk clubs of New York.

Music Tree was one of several songs where she made the audience join in with the chorus. From her new album, The Shepherd Lad and Sally Brown were particular highlights.

It was an absolute pleasure to be part of Talbot and McClusker’s gigamoon. If only all honeymooning couples could put on shows like this.

Heidi Talbot, John McCusker and Boo Hewerdine will all be appearing on Loose Ends on Radio Four on Saturday, October 2. Click here for more information.

For the latest Heidi Talbot news and to hear her music, visit www.heiditalbot.com