April 14th

Source: Independent.ie

Katie White, the glitter-strewn babydoll who fronts The Ting Tings, clears her throat. "We were here four months ago and not so many people came," she tells the roiling, fist-pumping audience. "It thrills us that you've come out in such numbers to see us tonight."

She may be delighted by the turnout but she can hardly be surprised. In the 16 weeks since their last appearance in Ireland, this catchy Manchester duo -- uber-blonde White strums guitar and delivers playground raps, 30-something Jules De Martino plays drums and triggers loops -- have seen their career hit hyper-drive.

First they were tipped for success in the influential BBC Sound of 2008 poll (behind Amy Winehouse stand-ins Duffy and Adele). Then footage of their turn on 'Later...With Jools Holland' lit up YouTube. With barely a release to their name -- major label debut 'Great DJ' only came out in March -- the Ting Tings have ascended to the sort of blogger-approved heights most new bands only dream of reaching.

Curiously, it's the song they performed on Jools Holland, a chunk of day-glo hip hop entitled 'That's Not My Name', which falls flattest at the Village. On record -- and on Jools Holland -- the tune bristles with attitude, but live it seems to lose coherence, with White required to sing over crashing, blaring drum and guitar samples. For all her spiky brio, it's a battle she's doomed to lose.

Elsewhere, though, this White Stripes-in-reverse partnership flourishes. Gliding on a sparkly guitar motif and tinny beat, 'Great DJ' is the gem in the Ting Tings' locker, an ode to the gleeful pleasures of great music that conveys its passion through soaring hooks and nursery rhyme melody. They also prove themselves talented magpies: 'Keep Your Head' opens with a sun-splashed riff, segueing into the best bubble gum punk chorus The Ramones never wrote. Yet it's the new track unveiled during the encore -- a stop-start electro dalliance that sounds like the Go! Team channelling Pixies -- that convinces you that this outfit are truly deserving of all the hyperbole flung at their feet.

Click here to go back to News