Describe In Three Words: Substance over style.

Remarkable Moment: The Hold Steady may look unassuming, a little frayed round the check-shirted edges even, but hell, who needs glamour when ya got character. And the Hold Steady got more character than the collected works of Shakespeare. These bar room brawlers come out swinging, brandishing a fistful of Thin Lizzy style riffs and a heart fit to burst with sheer passion. 'Party Pit' is invigorating, 'Chips Ahoy' exhilarating and Franz Nicolay's moustache, yes, inspirational.

Crowd Reaction: It's a slow burn, but by the end the early evening crowd are most definitely on the boil.

Vital Rating: It's a knockout, 8.