of Montreal @ Gorilla, Manchester, 19 February

The girl whose vocals Kevin Barnes spent years seeking out, Rebecca Cash, sultrily announces him as “My personal lord and saviour” before the of Montreal frontman launches himself in front of the crowd. An effortless stage presence, he minces in his green and gold embroidered throw. Bowie influence exhibit #1: Barnes' ostentatious get-up.

The evening – in support of their twelfth album, Lousy with Sylvianbriar – opens with Triumph of Disintegration's glittering pop piano notes, the swooping glam-rock guitar riffs sending the audience's spirits skywards (though overall, Gorilla is at times surprisingly subdued given the band's sprightly show – but given the faultless lyric up-keeping, this is more likely due to reverent fandom). Barnes displays grade-A showmanship, sporadically throwing out endearing titbits – his protest when Cash hands him a modest-sized tambourine, "I want a man tambourine!"

The group's closeness is evident in their momentary merry glances at each other. Clayton Rychlik beams proudly from behind his drums, and it's perhaps this bond that lends their show its playfulness. Tonight doesn't have the band's usual theatrics but, midway through, a new level of intimacy is achieved, as the inadequate air conditioning causes Barnes to strip down to a sculpted torso. Whether the poor temperature regulation is intentional or not, the outcome is enjoyed by many present.

As Barnes indulges in St. Exquisite's Confessions, his lips curl into a childish grin at his display of expletives – "I'm so sick of sucking the dick of this cruel cruel city." Despite tonight's largely buoyant affair, the band encores on a sombre note, with progressive number The Past is a Grotesque Animal from 2007’s Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? devolving into a 15-minute frenzy of visuals. [Edwina Chan]