Watershed

Tonight's support band take an unfeasibly long time to rid the stage of their gear so Watershed come on half an hour late, but armed with an endearing bashfulness. They start with 'As Good As It Gets', a cut from their newly-recorded EP and it's swathed in breathy vocals and intensely played acoustic guitar. Hunched over an electric, guitarist Chris Collins is in a world of his own where he remains for the whole gig.

It's a home crowd but Watershed haven't become part of the royal family quite yet, still not in a position to fill, then work the place in the way other local faves can, but they seem surprised by a very healthy turn out. During one of their finest songs, 'Still,' time stops dead in its tracks as magic is spun.

So many bands want to embrace the touchy-feely but end up with little more than slabs of bland. These guys are really ace at Sensitive. They have a kind of honest naivety, bolstered by great songs, sparkling arrangements and an array of amazing sounds that emanate from various gizmos attached to guitarist Chris. The occasional Year 10 lyric sometimes slips through the net but like I said, it's an honest naivety.

In the time since their last local foray, core members Chris and vocalist Ben James have scoured around for fresh bass and drums and have managed to land quite a rhythm section. The new duo now offer fluttering and clever back beats and a bass guitar picked and played in a distinctly Flea style.

'Patterns,' has been simplified for life outside the studio but it's one of those songs that make you wonder why much of the opposition even bothers. It has a ghostly quality that hangs in the air like graveyard mists and is rather awesome by anyone's standards.

Currently hovering around the edges of a full label deal, and in need of just a bit more experience and polish, Watershed have just what it takes to turn into something rather special.