The foyer of the Barbican was packed with a wide spectrum of voyeurs of the latest sideshows from the pop circus, from youngsters in spangly stetsons (the order of the day), to thirtysomethings and beyond. Some indie kids were present, probably drawn by Sophie's previous incarnation as singer in theaudience.
BAZ had the unenviable task of warming up a crowd waiting for the main event and managed with considerable success. She came on into the spotlight, dressed in white, cutting a shining swathe through the stage: uncannily like a young Marc Almond, only black with a bleached crop. She began with her latest single, "Smile to Shine", her band, consisting of guitar, bass, drums and keyboard ably providing a backdrop to her soaring voice, only assisted by some taped backing vocals. She continued with the next single "Promises" - showing the crowd what she was capable of and gaining their attention quickly - quality like this being hard to ignore.
Her name came up in lights at the start of her third song - ensuring that everyone knew her name, which by the end of this summer, I'm sure they will. It's pop, but not as we know it! This is quality songwriting in the vein of eighties stalwarts such as Prefab Sprout and Aztec Camera, the guitar work in particular being reminiscent of the two bands. BAZ's voice itself is something like an amalgam of Eddie Reader, Harriet Wheeler from the Sundays and Edie Brickell - all soaring power with a wide vocal range.
The songs are mainly ballads but there's a power within the performance and the superlative songwriting, showing especially in the band's clear enjoyment in performing this snappy set.
Inter song banter was kept to a minimum - the songs speaking for themselves - when the pace and volume picked up the crowd responded well. This is classic pop, after all.
The seventh song "Psychedelic Love" the title track of her debut album gave another taste of what will surely be an essential album this year. The ninth and final song was a repeat of "Smile To Shine" - ensuring that people went away remembering what they'll surely be hearing on the radio with increasing frequency. Well done BAZ - you showed the pop kids what can be done with the format. This isn't throwaway pap, purely quality all the way.
After a respectful break to allow the kids to grab an ice cream and the dads a beer, Sophie appeared - teasingly at first - the crowd expectantly cheering long before she hit the stage. Dressed in a low cut pink number, she fronted a tight knit band of youngsters who showed that they were capable of rocking out when needed. They produced a dense sound - fleshing out the pop/dance grooves of the album. "I Believe" opened the show - letting the songs develop like this might frighten the youngsters with the volume they wouldn't hear at a school disco but makes them more familiar to gig goers of an older vintage.
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More songs from the album followed, all of which gained cheers of recognition, although the fourth song "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed" from her days in theaudience, while not familiar, went down equally well. Most of the young 'uns in the crowd will probably have to ask their parents what a pessimist is but, hey, they still bopped away!
"By Chance" followed by "Final Move," returned the crowd to pastures known, allowing Sophie to exercise her voice. Though limited in range, both her voice and the songs contain a confident power, in a similar vein to the much-missed Kirsty McColl. After these two songs Sophie slunk off stage only to return with a costume change - a Latin American number - to play "Is It Any Wonder?" followed by her Groovejet hit - why does it feel so good, indeed? The band do a passable imitation of Chic, and this disco hit is surely reminding a section of the audience of a thousand Ibiza holiday snogs.
"Everything Falls Into Place" is followed by "Murder On The Dancefloor", accompanied by extra lights: the most anticipated song of the night, judging by the cheers. This is inconsequential fluff, but sexy, funky inconsequential fluff all the same.
One more song, "Move This Mountain" and she's off, only to return with a new song "Get Over You" and finally "Take Me Home" which sends us home, happy, entertained after what is more than most of the pop starlets provide us with. A good night.
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