Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote, is describing life on the road. In a soft burr, he tells stories of cherry beer, Travelodges and encounters with Dizzee Rascal and Christopher Ecclestone. But more impressive is the tall tale of his band's arrival tonight.

According to Anderson, the guitarist climbed in through a window, the bass-player tunnelled and the drummer fought his way in. "He's from Falkirk," he adds. And Anderson? "Kenny charmed his way in with his cheeky beard," guitarist Pictish Trail reveals, gleefully.

After a decade of self-released, unassuming folk songs, it is this charisma that has set Anderson on the yellow brick road to mainstream recognition. Following the success of 2005's KC Rules OK, his latest album, Bombshell, is his bravest and boldest yet. Though his gorgeous voice still caresses each disappointed word of his poisoned apple songs, he has swapped accordion for lashes of electric guitar and even a stab at disco pop. And while he lacks the glamour of his polished protege, KT Tunstall, Anderson looks ready for the big time.

Anderson stands alone on stage for the acoustic And the Racket They Made, but it is when the band appear and the pace picks up that his horizons broaden. Grinning as the crowd stamp their feet to Twin Tub and sway to the gently fizzing folk of Nooks, Anderson looks as if he has struck gold. You've No Clue Do You sounds like a celebration of how far he has come, while the expansive Spystick and moody Drop Your Bombshell nod towards a more complex future. "On every night of the tour, we drop a different bombshell," says Anderson. "Tonight, Uncle Beesly has decided to adopt the image of a gay illusionist." The bass player wiggles his fingers mysteriously, but there's no sleight of hand about King Creosote - just magic.

· At the Georgian Theatre, Stockton (01642 674115), tonight.