Born Again Virgins Born Again Virgins ripped up their set at Dirt Bar early into the showcase yesterday. I still can't get over the powerful stage presence that guitarist Adria LeCrone has; she rivals front man James Red, which is pretty impressive given he spent most of the set shirtless, sweaty, and damn near growling out those throaty vocals. Bonus points for the Jane's Addiction cover. I can dig. ANGELICA LEICHT

Fat Tony Fat Tony was as good as I've ever seen him on Sunday night. There were no entourages or girls or bottles on stage at the Bronze Peacock, just one guy with one mic and a supremely confident flow. "Drink Guinness" was my favorite cut of the night, but the crowd was feeling everything. If somebody received a more enthusiastic response all night, I didn't see it. Fat Tony had to follow some strong performers, and he stepped up big. He stood out amongst the all-stars. NATHAN SMITH

Nick Greer & the G's Nick Greer, the bespectacled keyboardist and singer with a love for clown noses, has got some soul, man! Along with his backup band The G's, this HPMA nominee plays with real emotion and a profound love of music, enough to elicit loud cheers and several dozen new fans in the Bronze Peacock room at House of Blues.

The front row was filled with several family and friends, including his own mother, many of whom were wearing the red clown nose in support of the red-headed singer. He closed with a cover of Blackstreet's "No Diggity", enticing the crowd to sing along to the New Jack Swing anthem and throw their hands in the air like they just didn't care (although they most certainly did!). MARCO TORRES