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Live Review
by SashaS
21-8-2001
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| High on energy, issues and sexittude |
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Live: Kelis
Astoria, London
Monday, August 20, 2001
U2 supports and own headliners, Kelis are introducing us to her 'Wanderland' album due out in November
Fresh from supporting U2 at enormodome that is Earls Court Kelis finds herself in a more intimate atmosphere of London's Astoria theatre. No doubt this angry-young-woman gave it all on each occasion but the reception here must have melted her hardened nu-woman psyche. She was on a winner before uttering a single note, in particular due to her fashion on the night.
Minimal is not a word one could apply to the faux-scout uniform of micro-skirt with slits, boob-tube and new hairdo combo. She was sex in motion and one teenager (16-year-old, methinks) had the opportunity to experience her charms from close quarters that made him cream in his jeans. Kelis was her cool self during a show that mixed known material and the new songs from the forthcoming 'Wanderland' album.
It is nice to see that a woman today can command as much respect any of army of male counterparts are afforded (often unwarranted) and she takes it all in her stride. Since the last encounter Kelis appears to have mellowed her fury somewhat but it would never be R'N'B-by-numbers like Destiny's Child because there is more force here at work that in a gym down the road. And, tonight it is mostly rocky, grunge-y. She commences the show with The Doors' 'Light My Fire' and later covers The Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams'.
The first single from 'Wanderland', 'Young, Fresh & New' is a primal life-affirming stuff as is 'Caught Out There', backed by a ten-person outfit (nine sisters and a male drummer). 'Lil Suzy', 'Good Stuff', 'Mafia' and the breakthrough song's 'I hate you so much right now!' is obviously sung by everybody with vitriolic satisfaction, as if all females experiencing emotional betrayal. This American native is a power-dame that is encroaching on the Tuna Turner territory.
It rocks, funks, jerks, it makes love to the hearing apparatus, ending with her version of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' that leave us to fight for air on the way out.
Kelis is quite a lady. And, she is only 21. Frightening, come to think of it!
SashaS
21-8-2001
Kelis's 'Wanderland' is issued November 12 on Virgin
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