Noisettes, Koko, London, June 23rd
Noisettes played at London's Koko on June 23rd
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By James Christie. |  |
Wednesday, 24, Jun 2009 05:38
Laura Holt finds the trio in divisive form as they prove they're more than one-hit wonders.
Like an Amazonian warrior princess she emerges from the upper balcony at Koko. Spotlight shining on her statuesque limbs as she dangles above the crowd, microphone in hand, vocals strong and imposing from the start.
It's a befitting start for Shingai Shoniwa, frontwoman of the Noisettes, who dabbled amidst the Burlesque scene before forming the musical ensemble responsible for the ubiquitous Don't Upset the Rhythm, currently dominating radio airwaves. Her angular frame is adorned with a feathery mini-skirt. Her hair elaborately constructed. But happily, it's not all theatrics and hype.
The Brixton bassist and singer - who has a touch of the Grace Jones about her - also has the killer vocal ability to match. A unique combination of stage magnetism and aptitude which is fast revealing there's more to life than dreary indie boys, strumming exhausted riffs from beneath their floppy fringes. Under Shingai's guidance, the band appear to be making a conscious effort to explore a new frontier and go against the grain.
Boasting an Afro seems to be a prerequisite for band members. All apart from guitarist Dan Smith, who met and began writing with Shingai after they attended the BRIT school of Performing Arts. They formally became the Noisettes in 2003, when drummer Jamie Morrison joined the contingent.
For the unofficiated, it would be easy to believe the band soared to success overnight, such is their confidence on stage. But clearly the road has been long and winding, a fact acknowledged by Smith as he tells us they're "no spring chickens".
Several of the tracks from their new album Wild Young Hearts stand out. Particularly, Never Forget You, their second single, but also a rendition of the Killers' track, When We Were Young, which they first performed for Radio 1's Live Lounge.
The music is a composite of various different genres. It's a flamboyant mixture of old school MoTown, Punk, revival Electro and clean cut Pop. The set is mesmerising, energetic and - perhaps because they've worked hard to earn their current acclaim - they appear to be revelling in the moment.
A man behind me suggests leaving early to his girlfriend, believing the performance to be "rubbish", while another punter in front - who clearly has some form of Tourettes - repeatedly shouts "I love you Shingai!" and "marry me". It's a sign that the Noisettes might not win over everybody as they continue to break new ground.
At one point a rope descends from overhead, which Shingai artfully hangs from as she sings. The circus has come to town and the audience is being carried along with the fanfare.
Laura Holt