In the early 1990s, there was a movement called shoegazing: bands such as Chapterhouse and Slowdive unleashed sculpted sonic architecture while finding something very interesting about their footwear. At first sight, Engineers, from Wigan, seem to be continuing the tradition.

Their first numbers are more drones than songs: the band set up walls of noise and feedback while frontman Simon Phipps and bassist Mark Peters stare in the direction of their trainers. However, their focus is on the amazing amount of effects units they use to create their sound. There are racks of devices, at least a dozen per band member. This is not a band so much as a mobile power station.

Engineers' manifesto is to "turn the lights down, get stoned and blow people's heads off" - and tonight, they have their work cut out. Their experimentation has found an unlikely collaborator in the venue's air conditioning. With every throb of Peters' bass, the building's air ducts rattle.

Only when the buzz subsides is it possible to get some sense of the quartet's allegiance with the likes of Talk Talk and Dennis Wilson: they have few current peers, with the possible exceptions of Elbow and Doves. With Phipps's fragile vocals often buried in the mix and Home - the next single - sounding almost wishy-washy, they never quite leave the long shadows of these bands. However, a 20-minute closing sequence gradually becomes stunning as Phipps gives full rein to his gadgets. Atmospheric songs and sounds conjure up mountains, seas and skies.

It would be interesting to see what Engineers could achieve in more sympathetic surroundings. Alas, their epic crescendo sees another noisy contribution from the air conditioning, which is presumably already demanding performance fees and breaking from its moorings to hang around with girls.

· At 53 Degrees, Preston, tonight. Box office: 01772 893000. Then touring.