A bit arty, a bit geeky and shambolically stoned, Pavement were the perfect 1990s college rock band. Their split in 2000 saw frontman Stephen Malkmus and guitarist Scott Kannberg go it alone, with disappointing results. Malkmus's self-titled debut sank rapidly, while Kannberg's first record with Preston School of Industry was underwhelming. Now, things seem to be looking up: Monsoon, Preston School of Industry's second album, is a quietly impressive mix of indie and country.

It's clear from the shuffling start to this gig that Kannberg has not spent the past few years honing his stage dramatics. His grand entrance amounts to wandering on stage while the backing track is still on, waving in a bemused fashion at the first two members of the audience to recognise him and asking: "Where's our bass player, please?"

When the bass player arrives, the band launch into a rollicking instrumental jam before forging into the touchingly upbeat melancholia of The Furnace Sun. It isn't all so bright: occasionally Preston School of Industry's low-key alt-country sounds like Ryan Adams at his most somnambulant. Too many songs feel under-rehearsed, and one fumbles to a halt midway through the first verse. Kannberg looks peeved.

When they turn up the volume, the effect is just as mixed. Watching the rhythm section bop cheerily while Kannberg rhymes "try" with "die" is a bit like seeing a mature student getting down at the freshers' ball - endearing enough, but you rather wish the older man would go someplace else. Soon enough, he does. Forthcoming single Caught the Rain is a wonderfully sparky lament, while Falling Away is a potent, atmospheric epic.

Towards the end of the gig, the band josh about finishing their tour. "We'll be off, cuddling cats and listening to Rush," chuckles Kannberg. When he finds a way of balancing pop's youthful flush with his own increasing maturity, he may have quite a band on his hands.