Hog The Stage - Live Final @ HMV Picture House, 21 Nov

On reflection, it's easy to see why this quintet of acts was chosen to participate in the final of Hog The Stage, beating out hundreds of other entries to vie for the top honour. Every single one of them performed with purpose, cohesion and impressive energy in order to bring the best out of their material. And thus it was a highly enjoyable occasion, bolstered by raucous and unapologetically biased crowds (the way these things should be). Whilst certainly not expecting heartbreaking works of staggering genius just yet, it would been nice to see some of the acts push the boundaries of their genres with a little more vigour.

First up were Jakil with their funk-tinged AOR. These guys can doubtless construct a tune and are very tight as a unit while frontman Kieran O’Brien is eminently watchable, but frustratingly, for all the polished demeanour, there wasn’t a single interesting riff or hook to call their own. Shame.

Following them onstage were The Stagger Rats with a whole retro vibe going on. Psychedelic postcard ska perhaps? In any case, a decent effort, though based on this evidence, the Rats could be in danger of not being poppy enough to garner wider acclaim, or experimental enough to appease the aficionados.

Pooch’s Laura Boyd is certainly an ostentatiously presented proposition, making a supremely conscious effort to meld style along with the substance of their occasionally fiery electropop. While she does have a bit to go before convincingly emulating obvious influence Karen O, she would likely be better served being more ornately decorated by the music which surrounds her, which often came off as a Blondie pastiche.

Sarah Tanat-Jones of Come On Gang was probably most possessed of star quality on the evening than anybody else. The centrepiece (from behind the drumkit) of a tight-knit group, her expressive voice (Sleeper's Louise Wener is a decent comparison) is admirably suited to the jaunty folk-tinged indie pop that the Edinburgh-based trio peddle. These guys could possibly do with varying the formula a little, it seemed every song was designed to build to a crescendo when often there just seemed no need.

Eventual winners Kitty The Lion, showcasing their understated folk pop (as serviced by often delightfully overstated singer Anna Meldrum) are a musically savvy ensemble. And so, whilst there does appear to be room for a little more invention in their output, you get the impression that this is a band who will rise to that particular challenge. After stints this year at T in the Park and Rock Ness, now boast quite a refined live presence which will serve them well at the Street Party.