Gossip show they are fans of Shiny Disco Balls at T 2010 Pic: T in the Park
Gargantuan lungs preceding her, there is no question that Gossip’s front woman Beth Ditto has entered the stage, the wailing powerhouse from her mighty vocal chords seeping out of all orifices of the tent, enticing party seekers and Skin’s fans within a wide radius with biggest hit, Standing In The Way Of Control.
Wearing a short white dress reminiscent of a pillowcase that’s been lovingly hand-painted by a 6 year old wielding a dripping, orange-dipped brush, where the remainder of the band wear black, it is clear from the onset where the focal point lies.
Bare legged and shoeless Beth gyrates, wiggles and shakes as the band quickly move on and step into the motown flirting shoes of 2009 album, Music For Men. The disco ball developed album is decorated in electronic excess, hence the Portland dwelling trio are joined onstage by a fourth member to recreate all that glimmers live. Perky cowbell littered track with jungle beats, Pop Goes The World, has an inevitable impact on the crowd, Miss Ditto orchestrating the proceedings with her own full body performance, shaking like a generator for her soul-stained, feral voice, which leaps octaves and spans genres.
Sung with a heavy heart, Four Letter Word and Love Long Distance are teamed with dramatic head shakes and hand gestures, emotions high, at points feeling like I’ve stumbled across Jerry Springer the musical. All the while the remaining members of Gossip melt further into the background, musically prominent though not exuding in stage presence. This perhaps could be due to their front woman’s hold, although up until this point she doesn’t appear to engage in the audience, spending more time performing through closed eyes and casually moving around the stage.
Just as it begins to feel uncomfortable, with a risk of being charged for undercover surveillance, Ditto spots an enthusiastic young fan perched on a parent’s shoulders and waves at “the coolest kid in the world”. I have to thank this youngster/potential designer of her dress as it is at this point that it seems someone’s put change in the Bethometer. The lights are on and the American star is most definitely at home, taking centre stage, facing the suggestive logo emblazoning the back wall and going limp to a toe touching stance. It is now that there is a perceptible inhalation of comic proportions, a brief moment of concern as we wonder if current fashions have enough material to protect her modesty and our eyes.
All was well and Beth is soon participating in a front of stage military stomp to the tenacious bass line of Talking Head’s Psycho Killer, breaking into the song with full tent accompaniment on the chorus. Lulling us into a false sense of security, the ever dampening front woman firmly places sunglasses on and without warning roars into Tina Turner’s 1984 chart-topper What’s Love Got To Do With It.
In an act of defiance, not content with her previous medley of covers, the mischievous mega-mouthed star frolicks into an a capella rendition of Daft Punk’s One More Time, before the subtle beginnings of last single Heavy Cross perpetuate the party atmosphere. One guitar wail later and the track evolves into a fierce power pop assault, worthy of getting your best dancing wellies on for.
Over a decade old, Gossip show no signs of ageing with energy intensive disco tracks and the ultimate party hostess. Stating a mission to “make you dance,” it seems this band will continue to do just that, as long as there’s money in the Bethometer.
Review by Kirstin Lynn
