Vermont’s Grace Potter and the Nocturnals brought their brand of high-octane retro-rock to the Fillmore last night. Given their obvious ’60s influences, the historic Fillmore stage served as a perfect setting. Judging by the platoon of videographers filming a live DVD, the band clearly also thought the setting a good fit.

Potter’s career has been an interesting one to follow. The Nocturnals burst onto the scene in 2004 as a fresh-faced jam band with southern and soul influences. Five short years later, they’ve appeared on stage with big names like the Black Crowes, Dave Matthews Band, Gov’t Mule and moe. as well as in a bevy of TV shows (Grey’s Anatomy, All My Children, Kyle XY, One Tree Hill and Brothers & Sisters).

Grace has always been a good performer with spectacular pipes, but she and her band have all really tightened their chops since they’re early days. Potter’s songwriting has also improved and the original content is now just as strong as their more famous covers. And don’t be scared off by the ‘jam band’ label. Sure, they’re not afraid of taking a song over the six-minute mark, but their music stays rooted without devolving into endless noodling. Plus, few bands have better taste when it comes to mining cover material.

We don’t normally cover fashion on this site, but the heavily stylized look last night was too glaring to omit. While there’s no doubt that the band’s affection for the music of the ’60s is sincere, it’s tough to take a group of 20-somethings in 2009 decked out like the cast of Almost Famous with a straight face. Now, it’s very likely that the band turned up the image dail to 11 given all the cameras and the historic stage, but the mustaches and long hair come off as trying a little too hard. They’re too talented for paint-by-numbers rock kitsch.

Luckily, image couldn’t detract from an excellent set of music. The band came out raring, blasting a blues-rock vamp before Ms. Potter made her entrance, decked out like Tina Turner in ‘71 (replete with tambourine, heels and short sequined dress).

Grace has developed into a top-notch frontwoman and her supporting act is all too capable — both as backing band and with their own moments in the spotlight. Their set consisted of plenty of new material, with less of their jam-friendly catalog. The band came back after a healthy main set to treat the crowd to a five-song encore.