After a three-year absence, the Fleadh has returned in disguise, not as a Finsbury Park festival of Irishness but as a thinly attended Willie Nelson concert.

The organisers have clearly accepted that there are only so many times Londoners are prepared to stand in a field watching the Saw Doctors, but there was little reason to slap their brand name on this show.

Nelson, now 73, was on generous form, hurling bandanas into the crowd while strolling through an extensive set of originals and classic covers.

No mention was made of his latest album Songbird, recorded with young country rebel Ryan Adams, the veteran star preferring to revisit favourites including Always On My Mind, Help Me Make It Through the Night and the self-penned Crazy.

With his soporific style and a band that was far too quiet to control the enormous space, Nelson generated barely any excitement from the crowd. Amazing Grace inspired the sleepiest singalong I have ever heard at Wembley.

Saying little and moving swiftly through a lengthy setlist, he ploughed cheerily onwards regardless. That festival feeling was lacking, but simply being in the presence of a legend just about raised the spirits.