The art of theatre is alive and well. Some evil genius put three of Oxford's best bands on the same bill on Saturday night at the Wheatsheaf. off High Street, in a dastardly bid to RULE THE WORLD!

Huck and the Handsome Few were on good form. Quite where that voice comes from in Huck's slight body is a mystery of physics, or perhaps biology, but I love his driving, version of Stagolee. And he squeezes out one hell of a Passion Man. Joined by the gorgeous Tamara Parsons-Baker for part of the set, their searing, agonised vocals worked beautifully on The Fall and Jason. They got up and lived their lives the hard way.

The Long Insiders (pictured) blew the place away. Their filmy, dramatic, theatrical songs had the audience on its feet, and at their feet, the coquettish, and lovely Sarah Dodd strutting around the stage on killer heels, belting out tales from the dark side.

The dynamic between singers Dodd and Nick Kenny was beguilling and intriguing, as the pair acted out their 1950’s leading man, glamorous 50s actress fantasies. Imagine how The Shadows might have looked and sounded had they ditched Cliff for Audrey Hepburn and descended into a wild world of glamour and decadence. Visually, and musically, The Long Insiders are a class act.

I wondered how Mephisto Grande would top that. But they managed. Beautifully. It was hard to know what to make of them at first, probably because I was scared. Partly because Liam Ings-Reeves has one helluva stare. Partly because drummer Jonny Mitchell had eaten his cymbals. They were fantastic. There was gospel in there, a bit of blues – an accordian even, a lot of Tom Waits, and something vaguely like death metal – although there was nothing vague about this band.

There were four acts on the bill, Undersmile opening the evening with a dark and broody set The whole evening was pervaded by a compelling sense of drama. There was strong evidence of bands on the rise. I'm telling you.