All this for a brother and sister (we think). The girl is the drummer; she energetically bashes her drums as her twin bunches flail with every movement. Her brother, rather more lithe than his photos would have you believe, is a human pogo stick with a guitar or two and, like her, is resplendent in red and white Elvisesque gear. They're both on their own platforms, just like in the '50s. And there is no bassist or keyboardist or anything else. Welcome to the world of the Whites.

It takes a few moments to work out where all the noise is coming from until we work out that Brother - Jack White - is playing lead, rhythm and bass at the same time. Which, I'm sure you'll agree, is rather good when done well. And he really does it well.

It is a refreshing set for anyone who hasn't recently heard '50s rock music and is bored of the major labels' recent output of headsetted bints showing off their new dental work with every grimace to the camera. The White Stripes, like The Strokes, are a throwback to a different time when marketing budgets, looks and whether you'd sold the most album units of the year (no offence, Dido dear...) were actually not that important compared to whether the audience loved your music and your moves. And Brother has the moves. Within a song or two most of the Astoria is into this gig - one could almost imagine the roof tiles pogo-ing along to the riffs and yells.

While all rather similar - from Hotel Yorba to Fell In Love With A Girl - the set exposes a band that is raw, unrefined, energetic and very, very timely. Hats off to XL for signing this pair - they are needed now more than ever before.

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Mercury Prize 2009 nominees