The fact is, they’re a truly amazing band and every bit worth the hype they are given. Tonight, they prove it. It is a combination of witty and (if necessary) defensive banter, excellent sound and an assured performance. The songs really come alive in this setting, particularly J. Tillman’s unorthodox drumming methods, but mostly Robin Pecknold’s stunning voice. Better than anyone in this recent resurgence of either Beach Boys or Crosby, Stills & Nash sounding bands, no one does it better. You can hear those rich tones of the past breathing in their music and in his voice.

As a whole outfit, the songs are played with such force that it makes the listener succumb to the amazing power of the music, despite its very light-tough approach. Songs like ‘Drops in the River’ and ‘Blue Ridge Mountains’ and ‘Your Protector’ are absolutely storming. Perhaps though, it is Pecknold when playing alone where the most poignant and strongest moments come. Not to take anything away from his supporting band members, but there is something about his skinny, looming (“Jesus-like”) figure holding that guitar that makes people want to listen to him. He literally holds the crowd in the palm of his hands armed only with his angelic voice and guitar when he plays alone to ‘Oliver James’ and ‘Tiger Mountain Peasant Song’ it is a captivating experience.

But, a purely acoustic show often suffers at the best of times in today’s crowds, and thus the full band songs - of which the majority of the set is composed - is needed to beef out the performance and set the incredibly high standard for Pecknold to defeat when he goes solo. Both he and his band are stunning entities and although perhaps do not hold any obvious political or sociological relevance and meaning (although perhaps its too early to tell as Barack Obama begins term in January – something they do mention on how pleased they’re for change.) to this year, surely, it is theirs.