Despite all this, the sticky floor, and the girl in front who insisted on being glued to her Blackberry and consequently blinding me with it, it was a real performance. It’s hard not to be brought round by Imogen’s infectious charm and anecdotal ramblings about digestive biscuits and serial killers. How the crowd couldn’t love this alone, I don’t know! The stage itself was wonderfully self-indulgent, looking like any girl’s fairytale fantasy; fake trees, sparkly lights, and a Perspex piano – you name it..But you were transported into the strange, fantastical world that Imogen really seems to live in and that only made things better. No matter whether she was singing, dancing, flapping around the stage or getting her high-tech equipment to work properly, you were fully entertained.
She is one of few artists who can pull of this, as well as power-sliding across the stage in Kanye West shutter shades, playing a ‘keytar’ and sporting some impressive hair that must have required at least one can of hairspray to hold.
The set was a lovely mixture of dreamy melodies, electronic beats and Asian influences. This may not sound much but trust me, they go together in the same way peanut butter and jelly do (also something you should check out if you haven’t already). She of course showcased some of her classics from Speak For Yourself including Just For Now which involved the audience becoming a human sample box, and closing the show with a beautiful rendition of Hide and Seek, by which point she had everyone’s full attention.
Throughout the set she was accompanied by various musicians – violinists, bongo players, bassists, all of whom created new and exciting sounds out of instruments we’d claim to be familiar with. Due to end her tour in South Africa, this little lady gets about but for her last UK tour date she stormed Sheffield. Imogen and her team are due next to delight the ears of Europe, where I’m sure she will deliver.
Rosie Pointon
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