SPRINTS @ SWG3, Glasgow, 6 Nov

Something doesn’t feel quite right during SPRINTS’ set tonight at SWG3, and despite a raucous reception from the crowd, you leave scratching your head at what exactly it was that didn’t fall into place. For a band who could sound raw and fierce, there are moments when it feels slightly too poppy, too cartoonish. Ambition is a great asset for any band on their second album, but there are times during the set where the attempts to big up the crowd seem slightly too stadium rock. The crowd love it, make no mistake, and there is an enthusiastic mosh pit for much of the show. Even this feels slightly stage-managed, however. There’s a sense that the band don’t leave quite enough space for a genuine response from the crowd amidst the repeated attempts to orchestrate a reaction.

It's a shame, as the songs are undoubtedly there. Their new album, All That Is Over, is the focus of attention, and opener Something’s Gonna Happen leads seamlessly into a blistering Descartes, which bodes well for the rest of the set. Unfortunately, they never quite seem to build up the momentum they need to really get going. SPRINTS are a band that wear their influences on their sleeves, with echoes of Hole and the darker moments of PJ Harvey’s catalogue, and they are riding a perfect wave for Irish rock, with compatriots Fontaines D.C., Wunderhorse and Inhaler all filling various rungs on the rock ladder. There could even be comparisons with My Bloody Valentine during some of the more sonically adventurous moments. And perhaps because of some of the exotic tunings being used, there does seem to be a lot of instrument swapping between songs. It may seem like a minor point, but it all adds up to what feels like a band never quite hitting their stride.

For all these quibbles, however, SPRINTS deliver a show that leaves the crowd wanting more. And ironically, that might mean the band doing a little less, and trusting the songs to do their job.