6. The Hold Steady
The Magical X-Factor Good vibrations. The Hold Steady were apparently formed after a viewing of Scorcese's Last Waltz concert film. They wondered why no such bands as The Band appeared to exist any more, so they decided to start their own. Legend has it that it started with a positive jam; and it's this infectious dedication to positivity that makes them such an engaging live act. Craig Finn's lyrics and delivery are confessional, almost conversational and his onstage antics further cement the impression that he's the life and soul of a party, and he has something to tell you that
you wouldn't believe. Even when the room is an alive and amplified sea of grinning faces, there's a real intimacy to Hold Steady shows. It really does feel as though you've finally been accepted by those people you always wanted to be your friends, and they're throwing a huge party in your honour. You'll laugh; you'll cry; you'll dance; you'll mosh you'll wonder yourself why there aren't more bands like this. Then it will hit you: There couldn't
possibly be more bands like this. They're too special.
5. Of Montreal
The Magical X-Factor Theatrics. When you go and see of Montreal, you might notice how the equipment's set up onstage in a sort of semi-circle. This is a move to create a sort of performance space centre-stage; and you won't believe what you're about to see. When I saw them, the show opened when a steampunk gas mask-wearing fish on stilts with shotguns for hands took to the stage. He aimed his weapons at the crowd, but ended up gunning down a screaming skeleton as the opening song reached its deafening climax. At various other points in the show, we had two straitjacketed lunatics bleeding from the mouth hopping around to intense strobes; a medley of Michael Jackson songs; the sexy, Princely posturing of singer Kevin Barnes and his transsexual alter-ego Georgie Fruit and, throughout, some of the most infectious, yet lyrically pitch-black and structurally complex synth pop you're perhaps ever likely to hear. There's a constant argument raging in the back of my head when I watch bands such as of Montreal. It's all to do with style vs. substance. However, once the show starts, such arguments are to be immediately dismissed as boring. Life's too short, and we need bands like of Montreal. We really do. I mean, can you imagine if everyone took their stage presence cues from Liam Gallagher?