Santogold
“WHO loves the Wu-Tang?!” shouts the tiny woman in shades after an electrifying blast of RZA and Co. rings out across the arena.
Near silence. It seems, on a rainy Monday in Manchester, Santogold is faced with the very definition of a tough crowd.
Most – well, all – of them are here to see Kanye West perform his spectacular Glow In The Dark show and are probably unfamiliar with the support’s work outside of ringtone adverts.
A shame, since her eponymous debut album is one of 2008’s finest releases: a hook-laden melting pot of indie, dub, electro and the kitchen sink that bubbles with punk mischief.
Throughout the show, Santogold tries gamely to spur the wristwatch-glancing audience into action, demanding constantly that they shift their feet and lift their arms.
In any other venue, her made-for-dancing music would have been enough.
Spaceships
Compared to what will follow (Kanye’s show comprises spaceships, giant lanterns and A MODEL ALIEN THAT ROARS), the Santogold set-up is simple.
Just the lady herself, a DJ and two dancers, the latter of whom appear wrapped in tin foil jackets, like particularly stylish marathon runners.
Missing the energy a live band would provide, Santogold finds herself hurriedly hollering over what basically amounts to her album on shuffle.
And while the undeniably brilliant tunes keep coming, the note-perfect renditions feel flatter than they should.
She is confident enough to throw away the magnificent LES Artistes (Yeah Yeah Yeahs by way of MIA) and Say Aha (a nocturnal joyride through suburban Bassville) early in the set, but – despite her best efforts – struggles to maintain the interest of the huge arena crowd.
The show closes with ‘Creator’ – you know, the one off the hair gel advert – which receives the best response of the evening.
Santogold returns for a headline crack at the city next year. It cannot come soon enough.
What did you think of her set? Have your say.
Reviewed: Tue, 18 November, 2008
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Fat Eskimo
Manchester
18/11/08 15:19
I didn't see this gig but did catch her in September supporting Massive Attack in Castlefield. I truly great artist who does crossover music so effortlessly it doesn't feel forced one bit. You can carry a simple live show when you have music as good as this. I was every bit tempted to pay the extortionate prices from touts for last nights gig but after seeing West at the MTV awards the other week I would rather visit the dentist.
Can't wait for her to return to town next year. One of the most exciting acts of 2008 for sure.
This review is the opinion of a CityLife reader and not that of CityLife itself
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