Apparently, Arcade Fire inspired David Gray to play St John's in Westminster after he saw them at the baroque concert hall earlier this year. However, it's hard to imagine a performer further removed from the wilful chaos of the Canadian seven-piece.

At the first of two sold-out shows, he kept an iron grip on proceedings, which at least meant he sounded like the supreme balladeer he is. Seated at a piano during Slow Motion, his querulous but distinctive voice commanded the attention of the 500 fans, ranging from children to senior citizens.

For The One I Love he switched to acoustic guitar, and with just a few bandmates this was a stripped-down occasion, although Gray didn't try to claim it as a post-Live Earth reductionin his carbon footprint. "There's about half a rainforest of guitars up here," he admitted, and between songs he did seem rather more interested in his instruments than the audience.

His three musicians were seriously good on the epic yet conversational Hospital Food, and during the set Robbie Malone switched between double bass and harmonium.

Yet Gray was somehow guarded when he sang his dark, downbeat tunes, as if he wanted to keep something back for himself. Indeed, he gave the impression that this was simply a job of work, although more than two hours in stifling heat he couldn't be accused of slacking.

He also gave us a reworked Babylon, saying it had needed some " pruning", and the delicate arrangement earned wild applause.

In fact, the shouts of appreciation often sounded more like something from the terraces, slightly at odds with the sad songs, although Gray is actually a celebrity footballer and he got a cheer when he announced that he'd once kicked Gordon Ramsay in a match.

Thankfully, he also lost control during the latter part of this gig, clapping manically during Nos Da Cariad (Welsh for Goodnight Sweetheart) and mumbling malevolently on Nightblindness.

The freewheeling Long Black Veil, a song made famous by Johnny Cash, was also spectacular.

He got a standing ovation but while Gray was fitfully brilliant, with half a dozen classics, there was also plenty of pedestrian material. And the desultory introduction he gave his bandmates, barely audible over the applause at the evening's close, left a bitter taste.

He should rectify that tonight. And if he can open up and reach out to the audience a bit more, all the better.

David Gray also plays St John's Smith Square tonight (sold out). Information: www.davidgray.com