MUSIC IN MANCHESTER

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I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this band. And I didn't get what I expected. They meekly take their places on stage, politely waiting for the background music to cease before beginning their unannounced opening number, "Bitch" a delicately delivered piece that only lasts for a few minutes, a quiet, understated affair focusing on the writing craft of the 5 piece, that finishes as low key as it started. The next two numbers (again unannounced) "Morning Cup" & "Public Space" follow in a similar vein, and whilst acknowledging the efforts that have undoubtedly gone into the creation of the songs, a whole gig at this pace appears an uneasy "worthy but boring" prospect.

Then they hit you with (unannounced) "Your Song", a barnstorming upbeat arrangement where everything suddenly clicks and you can start to understand why Guy Garvey (Elbow) rate these as "the most important unsigned band in Britain".

It's as if they have been toying with us for the early bit, merely hinting at what they are capable of delivering, a coyness tinged with shyness. There are no shouty, sing-a-long anthems, and now they appear more at ease, it's an engaging display of story telling from this latest export from the (to be) City of Culture, Liverpool.

Visually, there are no stage theatrics, the focus is on vocalist Tommy Reynolds and his emotive, half spoken, part Tindersticks mixed with Cousteau type delivery. The other members of the group, Helen Turner (synths), Steve Keast (drums), Matt McPartlan (bass) and Simon Reynolds (guitars) seeming to hide behind their instruments

They seem to struggle to find the right level of consistency and pace, but by the time they have played their next single "Just Idleness", they've revealed a few tantalising glimpses of their potential and gained a few more fans, the responsive audience applauding enthusiastically after each number.

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