Okay, we admit it. A little part of The Fly really hoped this Smith & Burrows Christmas show would follow the format of Smith & Jones, with the two musicians facing off over a table at each other while Smith lambasts Burrows for his lack of knowledge. But alas, it wasn’t to be. Instead, Editors frontman Smith and former most-talented-man-in-Razorlight and current top-man-in-I Am Arrows, Andy Burrows team up for a festive rendition of their debut album ‘Funny Looking Angels’ in the holy surroundings of London’s Union Chapel.

And as they kick off with a lulling, gentle cover of ‘Wonderful Life’, it’s immediately clear that it’s a vocal duet that works beautifully – Burrows’ high-pitched lines perfectly complimenting Smith’s deep, booming voice. It’s a relaxed affair, with both singers switching between guitars, piano and vocal duties – with time made for a festive raffle (which The Fly didn’t win. Bah Humbug) – before the duo slip into their now-famous battered angel wings. Perhaps it’s telling that the biggest reactions of the night are saved for their respective ‘other projects’ -  Burrows plays his own Razorlight anthems ‘America’ and ‘Fall To Pieces’ and Smith delves into his back catalogue with a stripped-back version of ‘Papillon’.

But tonight is proof that Christmas songs don’t have to be delivered with all the schmaltzy gooeyness that blights our airwaves throughout December. Closing the show, the five-piece on stage finally come into their own with a trio of glorious, swirling log-fire anthems. ‘When The Thames Froze’, in particular, is as beautiful as a tale of woes, worries and political strife could be, and Smith & Burrows more than prove that this could be a pairing that’ll last long past the winter months.

Matt Glass