AUSTIN, Texas--Burgeoning Scottish star Paolo Nutini strode onstage at the Lava Lounge here today with full beer in hand and a seemingly full midafternoon buzz on.

Paolo Nutini at SXSW.

It didn't seem to get in the way, however, as the 19-year-old thrilled a packed house with a stellar set of blue-eyed soul, channeling the likes of Ben Harper and Al Green through a thick Scottish brogue.

As his three-piece band kicked off the set with a building acoustic rhythm and driving beat, a somewhat dazed-looking Nutini swilled his beer and jumped straightaway into "Alloway Grove," a song that wonders about a partner's infidelity. The squeals emanating from the crowd indicated that no one at the Lava Lounge would ever do such a thing to the singer, and Nutini replied back with his soulful vocals.

After an updated version of his song "Rewind," complete with faster tempo and hillbilly blues vibe, Nutini performed "Lovin' You," which made clear that the teen has heard Harper's acoustic cover of Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing."

The backing band laid down tight rhythms throughout, and the quartet seemed to have great chemistry, a good sign for a band that has been on the road for several months in support of Nutini's US album, These Streets.

Nutini closed out the show with "Jenny Don't Be Hasty," his first US single and a song that is based around convincing an older woman that age ain't nothing but a number. That argument shouldn't be a problem.