This was The Men They Couldn't Hang's 30th-anniversary celebration, and a reminder that they are a product of the era when folk-punk was being pioneered by the likes of Billy Bragg and the Pogues. The band began their career busking not far from this west London venue, and got their first major break supporting Shane MacGowan's outfit. Their approach has changed little since then, and they have retained a dedicated cult following.

The gig opened with a stomping anthem with a political message, Ghosts of Cable Street, dealing with the anti-fascist London street battles of the 30s, and continued in much the same style. The lyrics are often more original than the melodies of their full-tilt anthems; more variety could have been introduced by the inclusion of more traditional songs such as Smuggler, or by extending the brief acoustic solo sets of their two lead singers, Stefan Cush and Phil Odgers. But rousing new songs Night Ferry and Raising Hell showed they were not just reworking the past.

The Green Fields of France – a gently powerful song about the first world war written by the great Scottish-Australian songwriter Eric Bogle – was a reminder that they are partly a folk band. It was revived with backing from a piper, fiddle work from Bobby Valentino and a chorus from the rowdy drinkers at the back of the hall. It was immediately followed by a reminder that TMTCH are also a post-punk band, as they were joined by Eddie Tudor, of Tenpole Tudor, who leaped wildly around the stage as they crashed through Swords of a Thousand Men.

• At Stortford music festival, Bishop's Stortford, 4 May. Details: stortfordmusicfestival.org.uk