WHY? @ The Colston Hall, Bristol

Typifying the kind of humour we’ve come to expect from these Californians, WHY? manage to thank Stephen Merchant for his opening number this evening. Despite the lanky gent’s jovial form in the neighbouring Hall, tonight’s support comes from Serengeti (or Dave 'Serengeti' Cohn, accompanied by WHY?'s very own Doug McDiarmid on the acoustic grand piano).

Appearing to settle into his stride after a couple of songs, Cohn even breaks out a white recorder, which he quips is something to fill his stage time with other than talking. Offering occasional recorder flurries in-between programmed beats, some sentimental piano and light-hearted rapping – he was enjoyable, if not upstaging, of Merchant.

As WHY? take to the stage, Doug jokes that they each like their own individual applause – to a warm laughter that tells you there is clearly a lot of love for these guys in the room already. Yoni walks out looking old beyond his years in a cardigan and full beard combo, and the posture of an old man to go with it.

They open with 'These Few Presidents', Josiah playing both Bass and drums (pedals) while an as-yet-unintroduced lady makes up the rest of the percussion and vocals.

With a bundle of newer songs the band are tight and clearly comfortable playing them, not that Yoni’s suspect awkward manoeuvres add to this impression. One in particular begins with a building four-part harmony from all members, breaking into a punchy syncopated groove, with effortless tempo switches throughout.

Space is given to tracks from Alopecia and Eskimo Snow, including a perfect rendition of ‘The Vowels Pt2’ and latterly ‘Brook and Waxing’. ‘January TwentySomething’, with an epic opening of fast rising piano arpeggios, is paired with an emphatic and pounding rendition of 'The Hollows'.

Despite the japes, (see: “We flew in from Dublin today... our arms are really tired”), there is a visible and serious joy to their set; especially notable after Yoni refers to his recent injury and how depressed it made him. Seems a perfect time to drop the surprises and at the end of the next song, the lady introduces herself as Liz Wolf – Yoni's wife! – to quiet gasps from the audience.

The encore greets the constant applause that continues for the best part of a minute, breaking into ‘One Rose’, Josiah takes up the acoustic guitar and the performance is reminiscent of Leonard Cohen. An emphatic display by a band who are clearly happy to be back on the road!