And painfully cold it is tonight, as the punters drift along to the reopened Waterworks. A chronic lack of heating inside is compounded by the absence of heart warming entertainment...until Birmingham's '' drift on stage, sharing jokes amongst themselves and producing the most effortlessly intriguing set I've encountered for ages.

The reference points are many, old and new, with beautifully textured songs nodding to songwriters past and present. Was it the sweetness of "The Lilac Time" or the sensuality of Jeff Buckley that sprang to mind? or the hookline to some half forgotten 60's pop gem which has crashed into the heart of a 'Radiohead' song? Marina Del Ray are all of these things and they are none of them and that's only one of the things that make them such prospects. They are themselves and could easily end up a great band.

The range of textures they're able to offer is vast, utilising just a couple of acoustic guitars, a bass and a drum kit so tiny that the drummer looks like a giant. The singer directs operations as if he's making it up as he goes along, sharing jokes and then swaying and swooning to his own tunes. Can making great music really be this simple, so effortless? Oh yes indeed baby! The loping swagger of