Amplifico @ Club Ego

Opening proceedings tonight, Chris Bradley (**) and chums are dogged by sound trouble, so much so that Bradley's acoustic guitar playing is rendered inaudible throughout the first track. Although the set itself is punctuated with loud bangs from the PA whenever an electronic connection falters, the local troubadour's own brand of soft country rock is warmly received regardless.

Aberfeldy (***) suffer a similar fate. The quintet's dependable, happy-go-lucky indie-pop is delivered with the gusto Edinburgh crowds have come to love and expect, but the distractions of the faulty sound gear again upsets the tempo to dramatic effect. Carrying on regardless, Talk Me Round is a particular highlight which helps to keep a restless crowd on side.

With an expectant and by now vociferous crowd at this launch party for their album See Heart See Muscle, Amplifico deliver their own brand of melodic but fun-loving rock with an enthusiasm to match Riley Briggs and company. As those pesky KT Tunstall comparisons won't seem to shift, the band take it upon themselves to prove they are about much more than some are giving them credit. Instead of playing their hand too early, however, the trio lead us through some of their simpler numbers, Open Our Eyes, Baby Baby, and Just To Pause This before they play their aces. For the booze addled blues of Filthy the group are joined onstage by the brass section of local ska hoodlums Bombskare; feet move and hips sway. Logic Kills The Fire is punctuated brilliantly by Ross Kilgour's dark, edgy guitar work, while Donna Maciocia's vocals occasionally hit the notes which were previously frequented by Freddy Mercury. As First Time On The Airwaves comes to its dramatic finale, there's a clear sense of accomplishment in the air and a pervading feeling that the 'Fico's time might finally have come. [Neal Parsons]