1. The Libertines (supporting Supergrass) - The Limelight, 12th October 2002

Off the back of a couple of singles and two days before they'd release their debut album, The Libertines were already a pretty big deal. But despite them being slap-in-the-face good that night, poor old Pete Doherty would struggle to get any female attention. And trust us, he was trying, skulking about the back of the venue during Supergrass' set reminding anyone in earshot he was in a band, as if his ludicrous attire didn't make that pretty obvious. Perhaps word had got out about his long-johns and grampa vest, both of which were covered in strange, brown stains (ATL got to see both Pete and Carl in their long-johns about three hours before the gig, but that's another story...).

2. Franz Ferdinand (supporting Interpol) The Limelight, 25th August 2003

No one cared, really. They had barely released debut single 'Darts of Pleasure' and were virtually unknown. Having said that, ATL raved about them for weeks building up to this show (they'd visited ATL to perform their first ever acoustic session a few hours before the gig) yet very few made the effort to get down early. After all our ravings, we worried they'd let us down. Imagine our relief then when it turned out they were probably the best band we'd see all year, even overshadowing an awesome set from the headline act, who were at the peak of their game.

3. Frightened Rabbit (supporting Modest Mouse) The Mandela Hall, 9th December 2009

We'd never really been that bothered about Frightened Rabbit, but they highlighted the fact that at a live show, you can convince the most hardened naysayer. Raw energy and a passionate desperation to sing these songs wiped the floor of a well rehearsed and note perfect Modest Mouse. Perhaps convincing people you mean whatever you happen to be singing is the most powerful thing you can do as a musician?

4. The Thrills (supporting The Datsuns and others) Various, January 2003

The NME tour is often the ultimate example of daft, back-to-front billings. Over the years, ATL has witnessed Amen, Andrew WK and The Datsuns headline, while the likes of Coldplay, The Coral, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, Florence & The Machine and Mystery Jets were first on a four band bill - literally performing their set seconds after doors opened often to an empty room. Back in 2003, a brand new band from Dublin called The Thrills occupied the 'lucky' opening slot, managing to blow all 423 members of the Polyphonic Spree off the stage in London's Astoria. As for The Datsuns that night? Well, like most, ATL was in the bar.

5. Kid Koala (supporting Four Tet) Temple Bar, 12th November 2005

OK, it's a bit unfair to say Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) could learn a lot about performance from Kid Koala seeing Four Tet's music doesn't lend itself to vinyl gymnastics. But there was no competition as to who won the crown of pure fun. Kid Koala's big screens, scratching, needle dropping antics made ATL grin till our cheeks hurt. Followed by a pretty disappointing, static laptop noodling Four Tet set. Hebden could never compete.