IT was a pretty typical Tuesday night in Manchester – dark, cold and wet.

But Silversun Pickups said it was not the city's weather or buildings that made it so special playing in the city.

They said it was the people and their energy and fire for the music scene.

This message from frontman Brian Aubert came as part of an apology for his Los Angeles band's absence in Manchester for the last six years.

But in a way that made the gig more special with the enthusiastic crowd making up for lost time.

Among the highlights were the quartet's early swirling, atmospheric tracks Panic Switch, Well Thought Out Twinkles and Lazy Eye with their complex guitar work and infectious rhythms.

Silversun Pickups' songs are hard to pigeonhole. Their music has been described as everything from dream pop and shoegaze to alternative rock and new wave.

But hearing their early material live felt a bit like a modern take on Generation X bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth and Pixies.

Their newer material has not been as well received by some fans but songs like Cradle from the latest album, Better Nature, sounded great live.

And the band's more experimental tracks like Friendly Fires were given a new lease of life on stage.

What also helped Silversun Pickups reconnect with their fans was Aubert himself who was charming and charismatic throughout.

As well as bigging up Manchester he talked lightheartedly with the crowd about Brexit and his fears about Donald Trump becoming President of the United States (the less said about that the better).

A great gig, a great reunion. Just don't leave it six years next time eh?

DAVID MORGAN