ON HIS various visits to Birmingham, David Gray has played most venues; Ronnie Scott’s (in his pre-Babylon fame days), the Academy and NIA – both on his last round of touring four years ago.

Judging from the smiles on stage and in the audience, it was good to be back – and in Symphony Hall he has probably found the place that suits him best.

The tone of his music and voice were perfectly complemented by the hall’s wonderful acoustics.

The set was well balanced too, with the right blend of songs old and new; openers Fugitive and Draw the Line two of the handful taken from his new album, while the old favourites were greeted with whoops and rich applause – the haunting Ain’t No Love, Sail Away and Slow Motion just three highlights.

Of the new songs, the hypnotic Nemesis – which weaved along, seemingly with a life of its own – was the pick, but Gray left his trump cards for the end – Other Side and The One I Love, Babylon (of course) and Please Forgive Me, which had the crowd on its feet clapping with abandon.

Of course it doesn’t matter where he plays – it’s always a magical night.

VERDICT: ****