The train from Zürich’s terminal E plays a medley of Swiss sounds as you shoot through its concrete tunnel. The chirrup of a summer meadow, yodelling, Alpine horns and the sedate clank of cowbells on a sunny day. Two days later I’m standing on the South side of the Bürgenstock, trying to see where they’ve hidden the speakers, as the same sounds drift across crisp clear autumn air. In front sits a classic panorama of the Alps, autumn colours mixed with dark pines, thinning as they rise, before giving way to white streaks and then sharp peaks of snow.

On the whole I like train journeys even if they’re not without their substantial problems. Being tall I find the seats cramped and at a table my legs become intimately and embarrassingly entangled with those of other travellers. There is also the ever rising price and I can never seem to find cheap tickets for any of the routes I want to use. I did find a ticket for a third less, but it would take eleven hours instead of four and require me to spend the night in Birmingham. I assume this isn’t one of the fantastic offers the train operators boast about.

Chuck Ragan’s voice is huge and warm, thanking and welcoming everyone to the night as if we’d just spent three days travelling across a desert to offer him a glass of water. The Revival Tour is an occasional group of singer-songwriters, collected by Ragan (solo and previously Hot Water Music) and currently consisting of Mark Fallon (The Gaslight Anthem), Dan Andriano (The Alkaline Trio) and David Hause (solo and The Loved Ones). Apart from the ensemble start and end to the night each member plays their own material and selected covers during their solo sets. The atmosphere is of a close group of friends on an extended road trip, sharing songs and stories; often appearing in each other’s sets to support, before vanishing again backstage in a flurry of guitar encumbered brotherly hugs.

Sometimes you’re lucky. Not in a big way, just a small one that makes you appreciate having friends that you can shelter with under an 18th century bridge. If they’ve got cheap tortillas and dip that’s even better.