Komedia 30th September
In a world where there are endless television “talent” shows looking for the next pop star, I find it totally incomprehensible that seven million people watch these shows every week and yet there are just three hundred people in the Komedia to witness an actual pop star. That pop star is Ladyhawke – the girl all the cool kids are talking about. And maybe the kids are on to something, because not only has she has produced one of 2008’s best pop records but she can count Courtney Love and Kylie Minogue among her recent fans.
The New Zealander – real name Pippa Brown – cuts a striking figure on stage. Tall, blonde and cute, the New Zealander could easily be a model and yet suffers from Aspergers Syndrome and stage fright, a combination that must make live performances a daily test of nerve. In truth, she does seem a little uncomfortable in her own skin, all hunched shoulders and fringe, with just a few words to the audience between songs. Mind you, with songs this great there is nothing to be scared off. We are treated to the Fleetwood Mac inspired “Back of the Van” and the Madonna-tinged “Paris is Burning”. The set peaks at recent single “Dusk ’til Dawn” and the kids down the front are looking like they are having the time of their lives. It’s like every great school disco you’ve ever been to without the illicit booze.
The set comes to a glorious end with the dazzlingly catchy synth-pop of “My Delirium” and it leaves the crowd with some big, big grins on their faces. The cynics will doubtless say Ladyhawke is ripping of the 1980s and she is all style and no substance. But they’d be wrong. The songs are bright, melodic and joyous and she proved she is pure style and has a heap of substance. Seeing Ladyhawke live you can tell she believes in the music, unlike some recent bands who have thrown a handful of retro sounds into their music as an afterthought. Pippa means it, she really, really means it. Doubters beware, it’s not easy being cheesy but this girl makes it look like a breeze.
Words by James Fuller
Photography by Sam Hiscox
