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The Jane Bradfords have been around the block long enough to know whether they've nailed a gig, and I'm sure even they'd tell you that tonight's stint at Animal Disco just wasn't their night. The Belfast indie veterans kick off solidly enough, with the almost ethereal chorus of guitars in opener 'This Is The Last Stop' saturating Auntie Annie's with their signature wall of sound. But technical difficulties soon shatter the waves of hypnotic guitar ambience in 'Judicial Duel', as the band lose cohesion just when they should have been hitting their stride.

The 6-piece (for that's how many Jane Bradfords there are tonight) try to put their shaky start behind them by launching straight into a new track. But more timing disparities, between the drummer and just about everyone else, plague the performance. And whether these hiccups are the fault of rogue effects or sloppy execution, the damage seems to be done. As they plough through the set, the JBs appear defeated in their onstage demeanour. An ill-timed introspective number from guest vocalist Katie Richardson fails to rally the Animal Disco rowdies, and the chatter levels surge as the crowd become distracted by their pints.

The night is salvaged, however, by front man Declan Gallen's melancholic voice, which finally manages to fight its way through the instrumental barrage to take centre stage during 'Retro Romance'. The raw simplicity and unwavering emotion of the vocal commands the crowd's attention, and suddenly the JBs are back in business. The Arcade Fire-esque upcoming single 'Tonight The World Is Always Ending' demonstrates the Jane Bradfords at their artistic best, and finally shows what these three guitars, bass, drums and keys can do when put to good use.

And as the closing strains of the last track melt into the haze of Friday night, we're left wondering whether this gig could be classed as a tentative success or an outright disaster. Truthfully, it is neither. Despite the technical lapses, the Jane Bradfords still provide a satisfying musical offering, partly thanks to the richness of their occasionally wonky sound, and partly thanks to the musical influences that they pay such careful homage to: from The Pixies to the National, with a bit of Arcade Fire, Maccabbees and Joy Division thrown in for good measure, all in one 40 minute sitting. With songs in such good musical company, it's hard not to find something to like about The Jane Bradfords, even on an off day. And when the hangover lifts and the JBs continue on their path to success, no doubt this gig to forget will indeed be forgotten.

Louise Higgins