The streamers hanging from the curtains above the stage give tonight’s show an air of a ticker-tape parade. Appropriate considering this is the first tour the Brighton brothers, plus band, have embarked on in more than two years. Fresh from supporting Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, at considerably larger venues than tonight, Electric Soft Parade are a little older, and in some cases a little balder, but time has done little to curb their enthusiasm.

After shuffling on stage with a few nervous smiles, all tension slips away as the band cuts into a bracing blast of a new song. There’s plenty of room at a half-full Deaf Institute on a rainy evening for what is essentially a chance to try some fresh material and get on the road again. But those who chose to stay at home miss a joyful display from a band clearly relishing being back on stage.

The White brothers jostle around, giving each other playful kicks and shoves as they showcase new songs and b-sides. There’s a ramshackle aura about the performance, with false starts and a few missed beats, which only adds to the intimate atmosphere of witnessing the rebirth of a once-great band. At times tonight, ESP display the jauntiness of The Beatles at their most whimsical mixed with ‘Is This It’-era The Strokes. Alex White expresses his disbelieve that almost a decade has passed since he released debut album ‘Holes In The Wall’. However, ‘Empty At The End’, ‘Start Again’ and particularly ‘Silent To The Dark’ sound as fresh and relevant as ever – the latter including its traditional extended wig out. Songs from the underrated ‘American Adventure’ are just as good, with their tales of ordinary sadness.

Welcome back Electric Soft Parade, a ticker-tape parade on bonfire weekend is no less than you deserve.

Eddie Devlin