Razorlight headline the 80,000-capacity Reading Festival on Friday, but last night frontman Johnny Borrell played a free solo gig in Camden for just 150 fans.

There were hundreds more in the bar trying to get in, which prompted an uncomfortable scrum before the show. But as it turned out, Borrell's 30-minute set didn't quite merit such pandemonium - there wasn't even any sign of his girlfriend, Spider-man star Kirsten Dunst.

Borrell had agreed to support photographer Sophie Jarry's exhibition Razorlight - From Above, which runs until 28 August. And the famously self-assured singer was clearly unembarrassed about playing a gallery filled with dozens of framed images of his stroppy pout.

However, there was no recreation of his recent bare-chested photo shoot for Vogue, which must have disappointed the screaming female fans. Despite the air of personality cult with those photos, Borrell gave a performance as low-key as the venue, with little in the way of ego on display. He even stood back on a couple of songs and played guitar for another band's singer.

Sensibly, he opted for electric guitar, which ensured the opening Somewhere Else still had the necessary oomph. And while Borrell's mannered delivery may not be for everyone, groups of men were soon singing along with their arms wrapped around each other.

Golden Touch got a bit of a singalong, too, although it was the number one, America, which suggested their headlining festival slot is justified. "This is the song I wrote about how much I hate George W Bush and Dick Cheney," said Borrell. The sentiment was hardly original, but his lambent guitar and gentle wail were mesmerising.

A violinist accompanied Borrell on Funeral Blues in a dry run for Reading, where the band will play with a string quartet on some songs.

The singer from unsigned band Florence and the Machine then joined him for a couple of her ragged blues-folk tunes. They had attitude and exuberance, but no obvious reason to be part of a Johnny Borrell gig.

There has been speculation about a solo career for Borrell, but this felt more like a chance for him to get on stage with some friends not far from his north London home.

As such it was an intriguing and occasionally thrilling performance. But Borrell will probably be more in his element in front of tens of thousands of adoring fans on Friday.