Daniel Johnston, Manchester Town Hall

has always been somewhat of an oddity in the musical world. Fighting bi-polar disorder, he has managed to make some of the most touchingly simplistic and honest music throughout a vast career, it’s fitting that his performance at Manchester’s Town Hall was hardly your typical concert fare.

For starters, there’s the venue. Throughout the set, Johnston constantly confuses his surrounding for that of a church, and it’s easy to see why. The walls are decorated with historic depictions - not of Christ, but of ‘The Expulsion of Danes from Manchester’ and ‘The Baptism of Edwin’. During her short but incredibly sweet support set, Laura Marling makes note of two statues at the backing, looming down over the proceedings. Not that it seems to affect her - she strums her way through a stunning folk set which steers clear of most of her hits, but is still warmly received. Her craft with words and guitar is something Johnston himself must surely appreciate.

The main peculiarity was the headline set itself. Seeing Daniel Johnston on stage is a confusing experience, placing the on-lookers somewhere between adoration and bewilderment. Looking as though he’s wrestling his instrument, the warmth from the crowd is clear as he stumbles through the opening two tracks by himself is clear. However, his ease at being relieved of playing duties is evident. Before a short interval, the audience are treated to a John Lennon cover.

‘We like to play The Beatles a lot when we’re on tour’, we’re told, and he’s not lying. Returning with The Wave Pictures as a backing band, there would also be a cover of the Fab Four’s ‘Revolution’. Maybe he simply forget his port of call – later that evening, Hot Club de Paris would be supporting Johnston at a Midnight show in Liverpool. It’s quirky and well received, but the highlights lie in the classic, signature tracks. ‘Speeding Motorcycle’ and seminal ‘Hi, How Are You?’s ‘Hey Joe’ are greeted with some fervour, and are done with the fragility and honesty that only Johnston himself can achieve.

An encore of ‘True Love Will Find You In The End’ round up the gig, and the crowd go home happy, despite the relatively short length of time their hero spent on stage. He’s approaching 50 now, but the childish demeanour still remains, as does his enduring success. Though clearly shaking through his set, it’s simply an honour to be able to watch a quirky genius at work, no matter how bizarre an experience.