Overseas musicians - usually American - are sometimes given a bit of a history lesson. They are shown the Oval Hall and told how legends such as Dylan and The Beatles played there in the Sixties.
For these latest visitors, the stage is often at the back, in the smaller Memorial Hall, and that's where The Waifs will be again on Wednesday (May 14).

In their home country, they can fill venues the size of the main hall and they can play to crowds of up to 10,000 at outdoor festivals.
In London, they can pull them in at the Shepherd's Bush Empire thanks to the large Australian ex-pat community -
Sheffield, though, can cosy up to the band. "It's nice to have the variety," says Josh. "Sometimes the big shows are exciting and fun, but in some ways I prefer the intimacy of a small venue. It's taking us back to the roots of our old days and its probably the environment we feel most comfortable in."

For the UK tour, Josh and sisters Donna Simpson and Vikki Thorn will be augmented by bass, drums and, something different, keyboards, which adds a richness to the recording of their latest and fifth studio album,

sun dirt water.
Don't be fooled by the recording of the album in Nashville. This is no straight country collection, but one that runs playfully around the acoustic edges of blues, jazz and country and pop.

It carries an immediate appeal, which Josh puts down to a more prominent rhythm section and a heavier sound . "It's a bit of a departure. The songs are more soulful and there's less of the singer songwriter."

The Waifs are still relative newcomers to the UK, but their origins can be traced to a meeting of the trio in a remote corner of the Western Australian desert 15 years ago.

Taking the spirit of the campfire song tradition, they built up a following in Australia and are now becoming a significant musical export.

Since their last UK tour, both Donna and Vikki have had babies.
"We've all had a bit of a break," says Josh. "I did some gigs with another Australian artist, but it made us realise how much we loved doing what we do and each other. There's a new sense of enthusiasm. There's a new record so we're really excited. We've got a new lease of life."