"It's good to be back at the Forum!" exclaimed Romeo Stodart just two songs into Friday's set. Then again, considering The Magic Numbers managed to sell out this very venue on the strength of one single, you'd think by now, with two albums under their belts, they might be aiming higher.

The story of this band so far is an all too familiar one since the resurgence of guitar music in the last few years; great singles leading to massive hype, seemingly justified by a great debut album and spoiled by a disappointing follow-up.

But even as lacklustre as last year's sophomore release Those The Brokes was, you just can't help but feel a little bit sorry for them.

In the modern indie world, there is surely no other band that can grin their way through a set so convincingly without the aid of amphetamines.

Even when they went all solemn on The Mule, Stodart's yearning vocals retained a certain hope that refused to bring the mood down.

In fact, things are just so pleasant in the world of The Magic Numbers that it's almost impossible not to get swept up in it.

Their Americana-tinged pop tunes never particularly challenge or stimulate in the way of the latest holders of the hype baton.

Yet they did at least manage to create an impressively melodic racket without the aid of synths and feedback, this season's essential tools.

The brother/sister harmonies of Love Me Like You and Forever Lost provided definite highlights of a set that never really came close to any level of excitement.

However, despite a healthy dose of mediocrity, they managed to send everyone home with smiles on their faces.

Two years and another album down the line, they will no doubt sell out the Forum yet again.