Dutch Uncles @ Nice 'n' Sleazy, Glasgow, 26 Sep

A case of the curious support. It’s not that power pop five-piece Schnarff Schnarff or the robust, angst-rock flavours of United Fruit are unwelcome; there’s certainly a place for the abrasive and the bass-heavy. But in terms of texture, the peals of testosterone both bands come armed with sits at odds with the delicate patterns Dutch Uncles sow; everything’s played at the same pace, at the same volume, as if it’s the early 90s and we’re desperately awaiting a Steve Albini production credit – 'tis a pity to have eardrums bludgeoned prior to the main course.

But what a main course it is. And with all due respect to the crew at Sleazy’s, it feels wrong that Dutch Uncles are still playing modest venues. Perhaps they’re too humble for stardom. Just too damn nice; between tracks frontman Duncan Wallis chats to the crowd as if we’re in his living room.

Not that the band peddle cosy domesticity; theirs is a sound that’s playfully accessible, the complex rhythms executed with grace, glide and xylophone. A setlist covering their entire career, from early, maths-oriented tracks (Cadenza; Steadycam) that triggered comparisons to XTC, through to the fluid intelligence of recent album O Shudder (Babymaker; Upsilon), where the reference points – Japan, Scritti Politti, Kate Bush – coalesce towards sly, engaging dramatics.

Yet whilst Wallis is the focal point – the broken marionette dancing; his honeyed, androgynous voice – the entire band are a study in interplay, guitar, keyboards, percussion, and yes, that industrial-sized xylophone, all indicative of a band confident in their own material, and having fun with it. Fifteen tracks, and they could have played all night without once overstaying their welcome.