IT'S not the most propitious start to her short British tour, but Kristin Hersh appears sanguine. “These things happen,” she responds, when asked about the airline losing the Gretsch guitar of former Throwing Muses bassist and current support act Fred Abong. “Often!”

The US alt-rock and folk musician, who also performs in power trio 50FootWave, is in the country to perform at Robert Smith's Meltdown Festival. “A lovely man,” she enthuses. “All love, no stress. What a great way to be a person!”

She’s no stranger to the musician-curated festival, having played at Patti Smith’s in 2005. Despite the show’s prestige, to her it’s just like playing any other. “I do the same thing every time I play, whether it’s in a garage, a rock club, a hotel bathroom, a theatre or a festival. Music is focus. If anyone listens, it’s communication, but that can’t happen without focus.”