Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks @ SWG3, Glasgow, 18 Oct

Stephen Malkmus is not a new sight in Scotland: the Portland-based songwriter has been a regular visitor since his 1990s Pavement era, and last appeared onstage in Glasgow in 2014 with the Jicks.

Following the release of their critically acclaimed seventh album Sparkle Hard, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are back. SWG3’s industrial appearance makes an appropriate pairing with the band’s underground style and down-to-earth character. Perhaps a side product of Malkmus' laid-back presence, whether good or bad – often dubbed as a 'slacker' back in his Pavement days – he projects none of the ego you might expect from the man behind some of the most influential music of the 90s.

Opening with Tigers from 2011's Mirror Traffic, the rest of the setlist revolves largely around Sparkle Hard, covering almost the entire record. Its impressive live adaptation only adds to its appeal, with Malkmus slinging his guitar behind his head and continuing to play without interruption. There is no slacking, and Malkmus' satisfied, boyish smile reveals he revels in pleasing the audience.

Solid Silk proves to be a highlight, along with both the album and set closer Difficulties / Let Them Eat Vowels. It's Middle America that's met with most glee from the audience though – unsurprising, considering that it imports more from Malkmus' earlier material with Pavement than perhaps any other song on the setlist. Indeed, while the audience is a mix of all ages, many seem to have one thing in common: despite the Jicks’ career spanning almost two decades, they're here as Pavement fans. For many years, the Jicks refused to play any Pavement songs during their live shows, however their encore tonight consists of Starlings of the Slipstream and Stereo, both from 1997's Brighten the Corners. While it does feel like a crowd-pleasing manoeuvre more than anything else, the band manage to maintain a sense of consistency throughout, and the departure from their regular set is barely noticeable.

Towards the end of the evening a woman next to us asks what we think, wanting to "hear a young person’s opinion." She tells us she doesn’t like it and that she's only here because of Pavement and this just isn’t what she’d wanted. And it’s true, this isn't a Pavement gig. But when the Jicks deliver such a compelling, impressive night, it’s easy to forget this was ever a comparison and just see the band for what they are now.