Queen of Denmark - favourite album of the year thus far, but I'd never seen John Grant live, so the chance to catch the man in a tiny venue was too good to pass on. The gig also fell right in the middle of Edinburgh's festival season (we almost bumped into Stewart Lee on the street) which always makes the place worth a visit. This was John Grant pretty much `unplugged' - just him and another chap filling out bit on piano and guitar. And it was absolutely, heartstoppingly brilliant. Queen of Denmark brought forth a tear from my wife's eye, and Outer Space was confirmed as perhaps the finest love song this year. Lots of great tales and insights from Grant as well - he described the latter song as perhaps the only thing he's ever written that contained no negative thoughts. Seeing this stout fellow at such close quarters and hearing his voice silence a rapt audience made it my gig of the year so far. Must mention support act Rachel Sermani too, gorgeous voice and worth listening out for.