The Black Keys / Liam Finn @ The Queen's Hall, 16 Nov

Liam Finn (****) may be the allocated support tonight, but as the son and nephew of Crowded House stalwarts Neil and Tim respectively, he’s more than used to illuminating the shadows cast before him. As on his debut album, I’ll Be Lightning, Finn is almost a one man band (save the vocal contributions of EJ Barnes), alternating between guitar and drum kit on almost every song, using effects pedals to loop vocals and instrumentation, giving the illusion of a full, very loud band. His diminutive stature conceals a bellowing voice, as demonstrated on an extended take of his album’s title track. He leaves the stage screaming, the crowd slightly startled but mightily impressed.

In comparison, The Black Keys (***) are subdued and nonchalant, but every bit as loud. The Ohio duo are less revivalists, more a reverential restoration project; they take sepia-tinged Zeppelin and Sabbath riffs and mothballed Southern bluesmen’s vocals and touch them up for the 21st Century, presenting us with a polished and polite set that belies their rock 'n' roll roots. Despite playing within themselves, they remain engaging: the choice cuts being the effusive I Got Mine from this year's Attack and Release and Magic Potion’s immaculate Your Touch. One wonders how much damage these boys could do should they ever decide to wake up. [Finbarr Bermingham]