The North Mississippi Allstars are the "best blues-rock band in the world", according to Barry, the Borderline's promoter, and he's probably right. The Allstars first exploded into view with 2000's Shake Hands With Shorty. It had the critics spraying them with superlatives for their incendiary mix of southern blues and punk energy.

They were doing pretty well as a trio, which included the sons of Memphis legend Jim Dickinson (Cody on drums and Luther on guitar). Now they've added guitarist/ vocalist/songwriter Duwayne Burnside, son of senior blues citizen RL Burnside. Something about Burnside's arrival has given them a kick. They were a cult favourite and the critics' private tipple; now they have the scope and the stamina to go further.

The band were playing material from their superb new album, Polaris. Among numerous show-stoppers were opening track Eyes, a bluesy throb with Big Star-style pop harmonies on top, and Meet Me in the City, where Luther peeled off soaring slide guitar interludes above a soulful, easy-rolling groove.

Yet these were just the starting point. The way the Allstars navigated elegant episodes of synchronised guitars before switching deftly to Mardi Gras funk or glutinous swamp-rock, bound together by bassist Chris Chew, suggested a special chemistry.

"Hot in the Borderline tonight," chortled Luther Dickinson. "Feels like Mississippi, don't it?" I've never been to Mississippi, but I had a feeling he was right.