Vivian Girls @ Captain's Rest, 20 Jan

Vivian Girls are on surprisingly prim form. Sure, there's plenty of scuzz, toms and harmonic reverb-filled vocals, especially during Second Date and an acapella run-through of He’s Gone which boasts counterpart harmonies to die for, yet – perhaps an inevitable symptom of extensive touring – their performance feels far more polished than when they played the same stage just a little over a year ago. Their idiosyncratic messiness and ferocity seems to have given way to a more measured approach, tonight at least, evidenced by a slightly disappointing rendition of the typically fervent Tell The World. Either way, this basement – filled to fire-hazard levels – is proof positive that both the male and female contingent of The Vivs’ fan base has deservedly grown; the lyric "I don't want to be like the other girls" ringing ever true. So they traded in a little of their ramshackle charm and tightened up on the road, but the Brooklyn trio still breeze on by, leaving a squashed and satisfied crowd in its element. [Lauren Mayberry]