Charlotte Hatherley

Charlotte Hatherley live

King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow

James Smart, The Guardian

Ash were the classic boys' group, full of testosterone and wishful thinking, before Charlotte Hatherley arrived. The guitarist managed not only to thicken the Northern Irish three-piece's sound and compete with the lads at their own drinking games, but also to add a touch of glamour. Where once the only focal point for fans was the endlessly cheerful Tim Wheeler, now pre-ironic axe duels and a range of costumes (including skirts!) were also on show.

Hatherley is still a full-time member of Ash, but her solo album - the extremely able Grey Will Fade - suggests she has the talent to go it alone, mixing bubblegum pop, twisted ballads and riff-laden alternative rock in a rather dreamy package.

This, Hatherley acknowledges, is her first solo show, and she seems uncomfortable as the centre of attention. Rarely lifting her eyes, she keeps her stage announcements to a minimum and strips the guitar theatrics down to an occasional frowning shuffle. She looks as if she's aching for Wheeler to rush on stage, make a few self-deprecating remarks and set the crowd pogoing. Her backing band - including Idlewild bassist Gavin Fox - shoe-gaze throughout.

Some of the songs fall just as flat. Down, which drifts by pleasantly enough on record, becomes a listless drone. Elsewhere, Hatherley's floaty pop develops a muscular undercarriage: Summer's simple melodics are backed with a toe-tapping throb that unexpectedly recalls the Jesus and Mary Chain, while Bastardo, a vengeful note to a boy who stole Hatherley's guitar, is punchy and lithe, its harmonies touched with a hint of desperation.

Set-closer Ressurrect comes like a fierce rumble of thunder, shot through with the vigour that has been lacking from the rest of the evening - even Hatherley looks as if she's enjoying herself. Given time to loosen up, her solo career might be one worth relishing.

· At the Leadmill, Sheffield, tonight (0114-221 2828). Then touring.