The Ting Tings start something
Paradise, Boston, March 18, 2009
Reviewed by Jeffrey B. Remz
Nine months ago, British duo The Ting Tings played a crowded small club less than a mile away. Things have changed, maybe thanks in part to a big British hit, That's Not My Name and airplay on this side of the Pond from their strong debut "We Started Nothing." The group sold out the bigger club, but that didn't indicate whether Katie White and Jules De Martino have much to offer beyond a hit or two.
In fact, they do. De Martino plays drums and guitars (along with a bit of backing vocals) and sets a very steady, often extremely propulsive beat (The Great DJ), hidden behind his sunglasses. White is a solid singer, who capably puts the music across. She doesn't even need to overplay her sexuality. Her good looks are enough to take care of that.
But White is way more than a pretty face. White sings very well with her voice often fortunately heard above the music right from the lead-off We Walk to the closing That's Not My Name. She held command of the stage and maintained a presence without saying a ton. The main thing was that she along with her partner help to propel the highly danceable music. There was enough change of pace to avoid monotony as well.
However, with a 40-minute regular set and 55 minutes in total, The Ting Tings would never be accused of stretching out the set, which consisted of only 10 songs. The liveliness of the music, though, was not only a result of the duo on stage. Instead, they relied on backing taped music throughout their set. Perhaps having a live bassist and drummer would have enhanced the atmosphere even more.
Still, The Ting Tings made lively, pleasurable music.
Hottub, a female trio from Oakland, opened with an ultra high energy set. After the show at their merchandise table, a new fan described them as "the female Beastie Boys," and that appellation would be appropriate.
Backed by two guys on keyboards and tapes, the trio traded off vocals, bounced around the stage and also on the floor (one of the three went so far as to spin on the floor with her face meeting some spilled liquid on a few occasions) where they bounced into people grooving to their sound.
There was a joy to the music with songs like Man Bitch and 1-2-3-Go!, but there also was a feeling that this was also very calculated in dress and staging. Maybe there's nothing wrong with just having a fun night out. Definitely different, and ultimately harmless, but for just under 30 minutes, Hottub held sway.
