The Sounds @ Liquid Room

As the city braces itself for life after the festival, Sweden's finest, The Sounds, deliver a triumphant 'it's-not-over-yet' performance, peppering a receptive Liquid Room crowd with impressively catchy synth-tastic rock 'n' roll. Whilst apparently not bothered about utilising the odd cliché or twelve (see feisty frontwoman Maja Ivarsson's Debbie Harry pastiche or the numerous live-fast lifestyle references between songs), The Sounds' catalogue is enough for this not to be a problem. The tempo is high from the start, with opener Living in America and the superb Painted by Numbers paving the way for much jumping around and the odd sing-along. The band's sensitive side is exposed with Ivarsson and pianist performing the delicate Time After Time, followed by a showcase in the troupe's substantial musical ability. No boundaries are broken this evening, but with tunes this good, they can stay intact for the time being thank you very much. [Jon Seller]