On stage, the Waifs have a lovely, intimate stage presence. Their live reputation is well deserved, even if you're so-so on their albums, like I am. On Friday night they managed to put on an excellent set despite an over eager smoke machine, a false fire alarm, and some firemen. They also didn't appear to mind the fact that the Roxy, an old cinema I used to work in as a projectionist, is essentially still a cinema. They've simply ripped out the screen that shows movies and now, in that hole, a band plays.