Sky Larkin - London ICA

Leeds power-pop trio Sky Larkin seem to have been kicking about for ages. In fact it's just over two years to the day that Katie Harkin, bassist Doug Adams and drummer Nestor Matthews released their debut single 'One Of Two'.

Back then, the threesome displayed shades of promise during their early shows. But there was an air of timidity surrounding the band, one that suggested they weren't quite the finished article. Roll the clock forward 24 months and we're blessed with a very different Sky Larkin at the ICA tonight.

This is largely down to the fact they've signed a record deal with Wichita and, perhaps more importantly, been taken under the wing of a certain John Goodmanson (producer for Death Cab For Cutie and Sleater-Kinney). As a result, the shy trio of 2007 has been replaced by a far bolder, tighter and scuzzier outfit.

Even though there is an air of modesty in Katie's words when she bounces onstage and jokes, "This stage is bigger than my fucking house," any scent of fear is crushed within an instant as she bulldozes through 'Antibodies' like Björk in a bad mood. With Doug and Nestor confidently blasting out fuzzy basslines and clattering beats by her side, the band throw out meaty renditions of 'Fossil, I' and 'Octopus '08' without pausing for breath.

It's clear that all three members have come a long way over the last couple of years. But it's their ‘wolfman’ drummer who has really grown teeth and developed into an accomplished sticksman. Throughout their 40-minute set it's hard not to remain transfixed as he shoots out drum rolls like an unmanned M16 spinning out of control.

With their debut album, 'The Golden Spike', just over a week away, the band are on confident form as Katie lifts her guitar skywards for stomping renditions of 'Molten' and an improved 'One Of Two'. The highlight tonight though is the electro-pulsing 'Somersault', which finds Katie ditching her guitar for synth-driven sunny heights as she cries: “Somersault, let it go, let it go.”

It's taken two years for Sky Larkin to grow some wings and fulfill their potential. But on this evidence it's clearly been worth the wait.