La Roux - Notting Hill Arts Club, London - 13/2/09
4/5
By: Various Scribes
Once upon a time in 2006, Lily Allen's career was propelled into the sonic atmosphere in part due to a residency at Yoyo (though yes, it was also in part due to MySpace mania and a few headline grabbing quotes about some of her fellow musicians). Fast forward three years and the much hyped, 80's indebted electro-pop duo La Roux are experiencing something similar. Held at Notting Hill Arts Club, the band, lead by fiery haired vixen Elly Jackson, are playing four shows this month, with time remaining to see them on the 19th and 26th. It would be advised to leave now to save yourself from the surging queues which are bound to form.
Anticipation runs high tonight and Jackson (song-writing partner Ben Langmaid remains rather allusively behind the scenes) has a lot to prove at what is one of her first live performances. Alas she is 40 minutes late, beginning her short set after 11 at which point many have been waiting in such a small space for what seems like an eternity; enthusiasm has dimmed somewhat. Somewhere in the crowed sauna several people shout "La Booo" - oh how witty! Still, she is striking to watch, perfectly styled to match the electronic crunch of her music. Kooky hair usually makes for a fine musician - look no further than Robert Smith -and Jackson has a ginger bouffant, styled in a high, sweeping wave. It most certainly is enough to inspire awe and wonder, and perhaps pay homage to some of those 80s influences.
La Roux tentatively takes to the stage to the sound of fantastic new single 'In It For The Kill', showcasing a winning formula that all the songs she performs tonight try to match but never quite out shine. Bouncy beats are layered with time warped swirling synths and high pitch vocals. Jackson's voice is distinct and though it wavers a little at first she becomes more assured as the set continues. Influences are set in stone; Eurythmics, Depeche Mode and Yazoo, and it is easy to draw comparisons with current songstresses such as Ladyhawke and Little Boots. With 'Tigerly' and 'Reflections are Protection' out of the way, Jackson, with an air of vulnerability offset with an icy cool electro sheen, reveals all of her 20 years; the songs are formed around issues of love, lust, and uncertainty.
A sound heavily borrowed from Prince's 'When Doves Cry' introduces 'Quicksand', released in the depths of winter last year by French electro connoisseurs Kitsune. Everyone has all but forgotten about the arduous wait; this is perfect musical escapism. Jackson is clearly a pop star in the making and though she never looks entirely comfortable whilst on stage tonight this will surely come with time. And there is something a little special about watching a band right on the cusp of success.
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