STRAW, at Manchester Roadhouse

STRAW might have the most boring name in pop, but their live set is anything but dull.

Led by Mattie Bennett, the four-piece keep things simple -- indie guitar rock with the accent on fun.

Laughing at in-jokes throughout the set, everyone and anyone was welcome to join their party.

After a month on the road with Reef, they are clearly enjoying life as headliners.

The new single Sailing Off The Edge Of The World is a heartfelt slice of melodic guitar pop and the highlight of the night. It's what Travis might sound like if they ever wrote a happy song. A pack of loyal teenage fans made sure there was an element of mosh pit madness

And as the show closed with Weird Superman, it was clear that Straw were another unfashionable indie band. But what they lack in media appeal they make up with enthusiasm.

CLIVE LAWRENCE