Jeffrey Lewis & the Jrams @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester, 23 August

When an artist as tirelessly creative as Jeffrey Lewis makes his first appearance in Manchester for three years (barring last year's show with veteran folk hero Peter Stampfel), it’s hard to know what to expect. It follows that in some respects it’s no surprise that the set begins with a cover of Lou Reed’s Tell It to Your Heart, giving a tender nod to a great pioneer of New York underground rock.

In contrast to this delicate approach, the band can also play with speed and aggression, as on WWPRD, addressing the most crucial incident of oppression of free speech of our times, and imploring the audience to ask themselves in times of crisis: what would Pussy Riot do?

We are treated to a few audience favourites, from the mass sing-along of Roll Bus Roll to the celebrated Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror, a sprawling and fantastical meditation on creative endeavour that exhibits Lewis's virtuosic grasp of rhyming couplets. Although he may not be the most powerful singer, there’s a natural melodiousness to his voice; it's full of character.

No Jeffrey Lewis show would be complete without what he refers to as ‘Music Videos’: projected pencil crayon illustrations accompany Lewis’s history of communism in Vietnam, as well as a lo-fi biopic of seminal graphic novelist Alan Moore.

Though Lewis is genial and warm, there is a recurring theme across the whole set of the fear of loneliness and the passing of time. Whether comparing his life with that of a drug addict or an elderly neighbour with night terrors, or inviting you to his birthday party, he never descends to naval gazing. Consistently exuding humour and positivity, never aloof in his coolness, Lewis is enthusiastic to share his interests and make others care about his obsessions. It's hard to resist getting drawn into his world.