CHVRCHES - ABC, Glasgow

The fact that CHVRCHES have sold out two consecutive evenings at Glasgow’s ABC is testament to their meteoric growth in the last year or so. The cherry on top, of course, is debut album ‘The Bones of What You Believe’, the sonic masterpiece that has wooed many an attendee tonight.

And, with geometrically-edged lights shining simply as a backdrop, the trio journey through the majority of the record, stunningly transitioning their tracks to a live capacity with little alteration. ‘We Sink’ twinkles into life, its buoyant electronics echoing around the room with the heavier beats amplified, practically throbbing out of the speakers. This is the only real change of dynamic across the board - the pummelling bass cranks up the intensity of ‘Science/Visions’ to great heights, and brings a definite edge to their live versions.

With Martin Doherty and Iain Cook on synths being the energetic duo to counter Lauren’s almost coy tottering around, the band strike a balance of being present, but not going beyond what feels natural. And it really charms the audience; it feels honest, which is certainly the case as Lauren discusses breaking up with her high school boyfriend over antics that occurred in the venue’s toilets, giggling in the aftermath.

All things must come to an end, and following ‘By The Throat’, they abruptly depart the stage with a mere wave and rushed ‘thank you’. Can it really be over so soon?

‘We just wanted to try some theatrics,’ jokes Lauren upon their return moments later, not entirely sure they pulled it off. With a cover of Whitney Houston’s ‘It’s Not Right But It’s Okay’ and a soaring finale in the dazzling ‘The Mother We Share’, an hour of genuine enjoyment comes to an end, and it truly feels like a shared sentiment between stage and audience. CHVRCHES excel in doing what suits them, and it’s an understated brilliance.