"One of the things that struck the judges immediately was that Maud has real star quality," Hot Press editor Niall Stokes, who was one of the Guinness Our Thursdays judges, revealed. "From the first heat on, everyone involved felt that Maud In Cahoots' songs are great, and that there is a brilliant quirky pop sensibility at work – but what won the competition for them was the fact that they have developed hugely as a live act. Maud has charisma to burn and they are all superb musicians – so they will create a real sense of excitement on Saturday."