C Duncan / Man of Moon @ St Lukes, 26 Jan

Fittingly for the hallowed surrounds of St Luke's, tonight's Celtic Connections billing of Man of Moon and C Duncan has a restorative, yin and yang effect. With their slow burning post-rock soundscapes Edinburgh duo Man Of Moon firstly invoke a kind of emotional catharsis. Stripped back to guitar and drums, but with electronic pads, distortion and loop pedals and vocal samples all adding dark texture to their sound, Chris Bainbridge and Mikey Reid pummel through a heavy, hypnotic set. With a final toss of the drumsticks and feedback ringing in our ears, they're done, angst duly expelled.

If Man of Moon are the exorcism, C Duncan's beatific compositions are the absolution. Now touring as a five-piece, the group's ethereal arrangements invite us to bask in their soothing harmonies and dreampop ambience. From the multi-instrumentalist and composer's second album The Midnight Sun, Other Side is an early highlight bolstered with drum fills and fluid bass. After a false start, and a laugh, comes its synth-saturated B-side Sibling, which our frontman explains 'we've only played twice before'. Strapping on a guitar, Duncan then launches into the woozy Do I Hear; later, cuts like the escapist ode Say, from Duncan's acclaimed debut record Architect, prove the album is still a firm crowd favourite.

Not only is his music a remedial tonic for weary minds, C Duncan may also be the nicest guy in the business. Whether he's effusing praise for the audience and the venue, tipping his hat to the support acts, dishing out compliments (and quirky introductions) for his bandmates, or dedicating a rendition of Castle Walls to his parents – in attendance tonight – Duncan comes across as a genuinely good guy. Unfussy in appearance and earnest in their delivery, both groups tonight have us leave feeling that the world ain't such a bad place to be.

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Part of Celtic Connections festival 2017