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By Ray Jackson, Monday 30th October 2006 03.21pm (2781 views)
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Lily Allen @ ABC
Date: 22nd October 2006
Support: New Young Pony Club
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“This ones about my ex-boyfriend. He had a really small penis” announces Lilly Allen midway through her show at ABC. At this point the crowd is immediately given everything there is to love about the so-called chav princess. This kind of frankness and honesty is thrown at the fans throughout the show and judging by the smiles all round, the paying public love it.
Before the elegant (yes elegant) Miss Allen takes to the stage the gathering mob are treated to the very special brand of electro-pop, which has propelled New Young Pony Club straight into the topics of every hipster conversation. With sounds reminiscent of Le Tigre covering Coco Rosie, Peaches performing for under 18’s and The Rapture doing camp, NYPC would have been forgiven for thinking they themselves were capable of headlining a venue the size of the ABC. While on stage one cant but think its only a matter of time before NYPC make their way onto the playlists of every respectable Dj in the land.
In stark contrast to the support act, next comes the main attraction. Lily Allen’s band stroll on and in a surprisingly dramatic fashion, she then bursts onto the stage to perform the hit ‘LDN’. Dancing back and forth, she looks amazing and has the crowd on her side from the word go. The 21-year old singer-songwriter has hardly been out the tabloid limelight since she came onto the music scene and with tonight’s crowd interaction, songs titles like ‘Cheryl Tweedy’ and tales about the afore mentioned boyfriend, it’s easy to see why.
The animated Allen was on top form and delighted fans with her combination of delinquent wit (‘Nan You’re a Window Shopper’) tongue in cheek hurt (‘Friend Of Mine’) and chart-topping revenge (‘Smile’). She uses her stage prancing buoyancy; her un-orthodox style and mild provocation to ensure her place in the hearts of those attending tonight’s show.
As well as converting snobbish music critics (like myself) onto the possibilities held by R’n’B come-ska-pop, Lily even managed to turn two of the most appalling bed-wetting tunes of recent times into things of great beauty. With her delicate but soothing vocals, Miss Allen first covers Keane’s ‘Everybody’s Changing’ and then a rendition that radio 1 listeners will be more familiar with. Her version of ‘Naďve’ (the Kooks) is a main highlight of tonight’s show and suggests that there maybe a different side to the loudmouthed brat that’s portrayed in mainstream media. After a few more swigs out of her Cider bottle and a couple more Madness-esque tunes, Lily briefly leaves the stage before returning for the standard encore. The incredibly upbeat ‘Alfie’ creates a kind of carnival atmosphere inside the ABC and is a more than worthy ending to a fine performance.
Love her or hate her Lily Allen demands your attention and with another Glasgow Date (Carling Academy) already pencilled in, she looks set to continue in rise to stardom.
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