Separating Patrick Watson, the man, from Patrick Watson, the band, is akin to comparing a gentle, warm breeze to a roaring squall. What unites these personalities is a befuddling charm. Like an awkward schoolboy, the singer and keyboardist talks ten to the dozen. "I'm playing on the wrong side of the stage," he says, breaking into a sloppy grin. "It's like driving over here. It's really dangerous to cross the road. I just think it's complicated."

Complicated is one way of describing the Canadian four-piece's changeling sound. Though Patrick Watson's vocal style is spookily close to Jeff Buckley's, a childhood spent singing in church and adolescence defined by studying classical and jazz piano are equally vital influences. Add two parts Pink Floyd to one part Beatles, with a healthy dollop of trip-hop, and the Montreal residents concoct a heady brew.

Closer to Paradise, their first UK album, has all the polish and perimeters typical of indie pop, but on stage the boundaries are broken down. The soft inquisitive start of Giver turns dramatic, Simon Angell's jangly guitar is suddenly steely, and the tumultuous rhythm wrenches drummer Robbie Kuster out of his seat and towards his kit.

Each song is pulled out of shape as the band throw everything they have at it: The Storm thrives on the assault, The Great Escape just survives it. Watson, out from behind his keyboard, moves his jaw as if chewing tobacco as he sings, and Kuster's face screws up in pain as he adds bah-bah-bah backing vocals. But Angell's constant fret fiddling is blush-inducing. Mr Tom sees him rubbing a balloon against his strings, then sticking an electric toothbrush in-between them, distorting the light melody into iron filings of noise.

But when Patrick Watson aren't busy pleasing themselves, they're very entertaining. An a cappella version of Man Under the Sea, sung whilst Watson and Angell stand on stools among the crowd - who sing along - is intoxicating. If only they would include us more often.

· At Night & Day Cafe, Manchester on September 20. Box office: 0161 -236 4597.