You can’t escape the C word this time of year, no matter how hard you try. It’s everywhere – whether it’s the Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree toppling over or the world and its dog vying for Christmas number one. But what happens when two musicians and newfound partners join forces for not only a Christmas song, but a Christmas album and, low and behold, a Christmas gig? It could go one of two ways.

To the relief of the merry crowd at London’s Bush Hall this collaborative effort far exceeds expectations. Waltzing onto the stage (we say waltzing, ‘cos they look like they’re dressed for a dinner dance) to the soundtrack of the saddest Christmas song ever sung, ‘Walking In The Air’, the painfully pretty duo burst into festive song with offerings from their concept album ‘This Is Christmas’. The concept being Christmas, of course.

Tim and Emmy are flanked by a guitarist (in sunglasses?!) and bassist as well as a couple of classic looking backing singers. The vibe is fun. Looking like something out of a 1950s movie, they drop in riffs from established Christmas songs as well as throwing in a couple of could-be-worse covers of ‘Last Christmas’, ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ and ‘Fairytale Of New York’. But it’s their originals which win the crowd over. Classic sounding jingles with a tongue-in-cheek modern day twist like ‘Jesus The Reindeer’, ‘Zombie Christmas’ and ‘Christmas Day (I Wish I Was Surfing)’.

The duo look genuinely thrilled to be there, casting each other the odd knowing grin. Emmy tones down Tim’s rockier Ash-style outbursts while he in turns helps her find a bit more bite in her voice. And while these songs aren’t necessarily intended to be taken seriously, they do exactly what they say on the tin and ‘Home For The Holidays’ could easily be a contender for the Christmas top slot. Screw all this X Factor tosh.

Laura Williams