Supreme-style Sixties and some new treats
Last updated 05:38, Friday, 29 August 2008
THE PIPETTESThe hip-swinging Pipettes brought the Sixties girl group bang up to date at Solfest on Saturday.MEG JORSH
In matching polka-dot dresses, the three female singers took centre stage while their band skulked at the back. Cheeky banter gave way to energetic dance routines and Supremes-style vocal harmonies.
The classic Pipettes sound was much in evidence, relying on upbeat indie-pop songs about love, sex and feminism. Newer songs, however, held some unfamiliar treats.
In an interview with The Cumberland News, lead singer Gwenno told fans to expect a wider range of influences. And she certainly delivered, with elements of electronica and Latino pop. In fact, much of the new stuff had a distinctly Abba feel to it. The glossy performance felt incongruous at a festival, but by the end of the set they’d picked up a few devoted fans.
Audience participation was a big part of the fun, with proper dance routines attached to songs like Shake, Twist, Stomp.
And no-one could resist their closing hit, the indie classic Pull Shapes. With lyrics like “We like to disco” it was easy enough to learn, and soon everyone was singing along.
At this stage in their career, the band seem torn between tongue-in-cheek indie pop and heartfelt, all-out cheese. But whatever happens, they’re certainly worth keeping an eye on.
