Nada Surf @ The Garage

On tonight's form, Nada Surf are a fairly contented bunch. Battling with a curfew ("We're just gonna have to rattle through tonight!") and slightly dubious Garage acoustics, the band put on an enjoyable - if slightly safe - show complete with most of the 'hits' and a generous smattering from new LP, Lucky. Opener Hi-Speed Soul sets the scene, with frontman Matthew Caws' vocals right on the money. And, although not always high enough in the mix, the harmonies of dreadlocked bassist Daniel Lorca and drummer Ira Elliott still manage to add some depth to the proceedings. Whose Authority - sounding like a number Teenage Fanclub could be proud of - keeps heads bouncing while the softer efforts of See These Bones and the quite beautiful Blizzard of '77 find their mark with ease. Two encores (despite said curfew) might suggest a certain sense of urgency, but the overall feeling of this evening proves to be quite the opposite as the Surf's performance never really escalates beyond 'nice'. [Jon Seller]