How to Dress Well @ St Philip's Church, Salford, 23 October

With the synthesised white noise of opener A Power mirrored in the TV static behind them, Tom Krell aka How To Dress Well's band begin by drawing heavily on the sounds of minimal techno and experimental electronic music – acting, of course, as the foundation for his remarkable singing voice. Based, melodically, in classic R'n'B, and with plenty of Michael Jackson-esque inflections, Krell’s voice is also reminiscent of Antony Hegarty in its timbre and emotional vulnerability. It’s on the newer material from latest album What Is This Heart? however, such as the brooding Face Again and more optimistic Childhood Faith In Love, that Krell is able to demonstrate a greater range beyond his signature falsetto, moving into a lower and more powerful lead.

Between songs, Krell’s stage patter is pretty awkward, early on clarifying his own religious beliefs (he has none) and in doing so referring to the lectern as a "Nazi Falcon," which as far as a faux pas goes, takes some beating. Sincerity is restored, however, for the more downbeat songs with sparser arrangements, most notably Suicide Dream 1, where Krell’s voice is more exposed, reverberating around the church – and the highly personal subject matter is more apparent. Though occasionally extremely earnest, Krell shows just enough self-awareness to stop him from becoming too mawkish, singing in Very Best Friend, “I know I can be extra sentimental, yeah it’s dumb but sometimes it’s just right.”

During the poppier Precious Love, many of the assembled audience feel they can stay sat down no longer, and they crowd around the altar for the cathartic finale of Set It Right and 2 Years On. Religion and music could both be seen as coping mechanisms for life’s struggles – and it would appear that Krell has found something that works for him.