大象传媒

It always used to be the case that rock bands mellowed out as they got older, gradually toning down the invective and easing off the distortion pedals as they cruised gently towards the middle of the road.

But these days, the situation has almost been reversed. It's left to the likes of Sleaford Mods (in their late-40s) and the reformed Jesus and Mary Chain (mid-50s) to keep railing against the powers that be, channeling their outsider rage into volleys of irresistible noise-pop. As this year's 大象传媒 6 Music Festival is proving, seasoned vets like Goldfrapp and Sparks can also show the new generation a thing or two about glam, poise and cherishing your eccentricities. It's why these bands still stand out from the crowd rather than fading into irrelevance.

If there's one band you can rely on not to lapse into sentimental slowies, it's Sleaford Mods. Whether it's social media or stains on bus windows, there isn't much that doesn't get vocalist Jason Williamson's goat. Their 6 Music Festival set was basically one long, thrilling rant, with Williamson twitching and pacing maniacally along to Andrew Fearn's harsh, minimal beats. Old enough to remember punk the first time, they're one of the few bands still keeping its angry, spittle-flecked spirit alive. There's more than a hint of John Lydon to BHS (above).

Of course, all these bands have a perfect model for growing old disgracefully and his name is Iggy Pop. In the year of his 70th birthday, the incorrigible old rogue kicked off proceedings at the 6 Music Festival by introducing his favourites, Sleaford Mods.

Future Islands frontman Samuel T Herring is actually only in his early 30s, but his prematurely balding pate and resemblance to Seinfeld's George Costanza makes him a hero to dad dancers everywhere. His willingness to cut some serious rug despite not having a typical Nureyev figure is an inspiration to us all. If the music moves you, then go for it. Here are some of Samuel's most impressive moments from Future Islands' Glasgow set. Why not bust out some of these next time you're at a wedding?

Back in their early-90s shoegazing heyday, Ride were renowned for drenching their dreamy songs in exhilarating feedback. Soaring versions of Leave Them All Behind and Drive Blind from their Barrowlands show proved that age hasn't withered their ability to whip up a swirling maelstrom of guitar noise. Although never renowned for their biting lyrics, recent comeback single Charm Assault - as performed in the clip above - displays a newfound anger towards the political establishment. Aired early in their 6 Music Festival performance, its crunching riffs set the tone for a surprisingly lithe and brisk set from a band of men in their late 40s.

Sparks brothers Ron and Russell Mael may be 71 and 68 respectively, but that hasn't stopped them from singing in an operatic falsetto, teaming up with Franz Ferdinand - a band half their age - for the cheekily titled FFS project, or calling their upcoming new album Hippopotamus (click above to hear the title track). Clearly, such gleeful silliness is what keeps them young. Squint at the impish younger Mael in his natty Breton shirt and black scarf and you could be looking at Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch. Long may they wibble.

Goldfrapp have been at the top of their game since the 90s, and watching Alison prowling around Glasgow's O2 Academy stage dressed in skintight red PVC trousers and matching cape it's clear they're going nowhere. In any case, it's fairly redundant talking about age where Goldfrapp are concerned - their music and its creative staging have always been about creating a sensual fantasy world. That's what it felt like in Glasgow: timeless, ageless wonderment from one of Britain's best leftfield pop acts.

Notorious for inciting riots at their early mid-80s gigs and desecrating their catchiest songs with a torrent of distortion, East Kilbride's finest were always an angry band. The Reid brothers always seemed to be at war with each other as much as the outside world, hence a near 20-year gap since their last album. But although Jim and William seem to have finally buried the hatchet, they've still got plenty to rage about, as showed: "Pop music is dreadful", they maintain. So instead, listen to The Jesus and Mary Chain's own skewed version in the form of recent single Always Sad (above). Perverse till the end, the band finished their set with a new song instead of an old favourite. "Don't worry, we've locked the doors," joked Jim Reid. Despite the provocation, the 6 Music Festival crowd were too well-behaved to riot as the band rolled back the years by leaving the stage to a cacophony of feedback.

And finally, here are the kids who have learned a thing or two from their illustrious elders. For their hypnotic 6 Music Festival set, Warpaint took the elegance of Goldfrapp and the gauzy romance of The Jesus and Mary Chain's Just Like Honey and twisted them into something new.