Badly Drawn Boy, Portsmouth Guildhall

DAVID ICKE may have proclaimed himself the Son of God, but really I think the honours in that department could go to Damon Gough - better known as Badly Drawn Boy.

Look at the evidence. He cares little for personal appearance, having opted for the down-and-out-in-the-subway look rather than the scrubbed-and-gelled style of most modern popsters. He gives money to charity (or at least mumbled something about doing so in this concert) and, most importantly, writes the most beautiful songs preaching, albeit in the most subtle manner, a very clear message of love and peace.

Badly Drawn Boy received instant acclaim for his debut album, the Mercury Prize-winning Hour of Bewilderbeast, but it was with his second offering, the recent About A Boy soundtrack, that he really crossed over into the pop mainstream.

Songs like Spitting in the Wind and Silent Sigh have won fans across the board for their combination of quirky but thoughtful lyrics and irresistible melodies.

Despite his unprepossessing appearance, Gough makes a magnetic performer.

The capacity crowd at Portsmouth - most of them probably lured there thanks to About A Boy - were treated to a two-and-a-half-hour set packed with songs from his three albums, including the latest, the excellent Have You Fed the Fish?

Despite their intimate nature, the songs work brilliantly live. Many of them were genuinely moving, and it was hard not to respond to Gough's disarmingly open approach.

The bearded wonder was given excellent support by a four-piece band, but proved himself a versatile instrumentalist as he switched between guitar, harmonica and keyboards.

The most wonderful thing about Gough is his absolute honesty, both in his music and his personal views (in a couple of entertaining interludes he vented his anger against the 'corporates' filling the charts with manufactured pop and the Guildhall management, for threatening to pull the plug on him at 11pm).

If you get a chance to see Badly Drawn Boy live, do so - your life will be richer for it.