There's something of the school ma'am about singer Ritzy. Maybe it's the unblinking stare, the way she tells us she deplores talking through songs or possibly how she holds her teacup close to her chest, as if she's negotiating a particularly troublesome playground.

She can bellow like a PE teacher when required and everyone is understandably taken by her French assistant whisper, delivered over those regimented rhythms.

'Whirring' is as wonderful as ever, though the new stuff feels like it lands the wrong side of the wall of noise. Perhaps it's nerves, as the trio will soon be playing far bigger venues than this.

Husker Du, The Jam, Bananarama… The Joy Formidable are another reason to believe three is a magic number.

Paul Drury