Myth is a big part of music’s back-story. Jimi Hendrix’s literally burning guitar; Robert Johnson’s midnight meeting at the crossroads; Gene Simmons’ womanising. Regardless of how true they are, legends like these are ingrained in the spirit of rock – œn’ roll culture.

Myth-making is certainly a big part of Seasick Steve’s success. From the tattered flannel to the three-stringed guitar, the hobo-come-good aesthetic is as much a part of Steve’s appeal as his music.

Perched on stage with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s at his side, and singing in a voice that shows he drinks the stuff, Steve kicked off with the title track from his most recent album, Man From Another Time. It’s a curious introduction, given the song’s curmudgeonly question, “Why d’you wanna listen what I got t’say?” The audience, however, ate it up.

Proving that it’s still possible to find new things to write about, Steve has written a love song to a tractor. Though John Deere isn’t exactly a tender ballad, it’s surprisingly heartfelt, and probably a good clue as to Steve’s worldview. Like the tractor, Steve doesn’t have too many gears (his songs are mostly either slow blues grooves or slightly faster blues grooves), but he’s built to purpose, and does his job without fuss.

Music certainly is a job for him, and though he’s pleasantly self-aware for a musician, the stage presence does occasionally feel a bit mechanical. After two or three songs, Steve offered a “money-back guarantee” for any critics from his own pocket; later, he welcomed two girls on stage to be serenaded. Though these gestures were met with warm laughter and great enthusiasm respectively, Steve seemed to be progressing as if working through a checklist rather than engaging with the audience.

Seasick Steve seems like a sincere man, with a clear love for the music he makes – but perhaps he might benefit from a touring break so he can recharge and maybe rediscover the joys of touring.