Originally from the States but now based in London, Catlea are a duo who are an interesting tension of opposites. Organic vocals and guitar combine with an electronic backing track in strange ways to create songs that become the most delectable brand of ear candy. As with the best acts who operate with reduced numbers, Catlea create a sound that’s far bigger than their constituent parts. That’s partly due to a vocalist who has an impressive range, singing like the sweetest birdsong or filling the venue as if from a megaphone, the vocals become an instrument and adds to the cavernous feel. Partners on and off stage, Catlea undoubtedly share a kind of telepathy, and against a backdrop of rotating tarot cards, they certainly cast a spell over the venue. When you factor in original tunes such as ‘Why Them’ and rowdy closer ‘Bones’ you have a marriage made in heaven and marks Catlea as ones to watch. 

For some reason, I don’t think that the artist known as Betty Boo gets the kudos she fully deserves. A female rapper singing in a Kensington accent, Betty pre-dated the whole “Riot Grrrl” movement and left a trail of vinyl that brightened up the ‘90s (and beyond). Like most pioneers she beat a path for others to follow and her legacy is kind of overshadowed by those who came after and refined things for mass consumption. On tour to celebrate 35 years of Boomania (man, I’m feeling old), Betty’s back to show the true origins of “Girl Power”. When Betty bursts onto the stage with ‘Doin’ It To Death’ I wonder if she’s been bathing in blood (like Countess Bathory) or drinking some exiler of youth because she’s displaying the same kind of exuberance that characterised her early career. With razor sharp MC skills she delivers the lyrics in a rapid fire manner and dazzles the crowd with their flash. There’s very little time wasted on between song banter, the songs arriving in quick succession which adds to the feeling of dynamism as ‘Get Me To The Weekend’ does exactly what it says on the tin, turning a Wednesday evening in Wolverton into a sparkly Saturday night and banishes all thoughts of tomorrow’s work and school to the back of our minds (which is exactly where such thoughts belong).

Betty is operating with the kind of effervescence that suggests there’s nowhere else she’d rather be tonight, it’s an energy that’s highly contagious and gets even the oldest and frail up and strutting their stuff. While many of her peers are keen to move on from the past, Betty has embraced it and delivers classics such as ‘Doin’ The Do’ with the care and attention they deserve. However, there was always a retro edge to her aesthetic, a mixture of ‘50s sci-fi and ‘60s pop art, and by combining them with a contemporary sound offera an intriguing glimpse of the future. Betty Boo and backing vocalist seem intent on cramming as many songs as possible into 75 minutes and they look visibly exhausted as we reach closing couplet ‘Where Are You Baby?’ and ‘Pure And Simple’. However, they drain the tank for a thoroughly well-earned encore as we revisit ‘Doin’ The Do’ (so good they played it twice) and send everyone home with a spring in their step.

Betty Boo set List:

1. Doin’ It To Death
2. 808
3. Get Me To The Weekend
4. Rip It Up
5. Barbarella
6. Shining Star
7. Hey DJ
8. Hangover
9. Let Me Take You There
10. Spotlight
11. Doin’ The Do
12. Superstar
13. Bring On The Summer
14. Stop Your Nonsense (Bubblegum Pop!)
15. Boomerang
16. One
17. Where Are You Baby?
18. Pure And Simple

Encore:

19. Doin’ The Do

Catlea Set List:

1. Language Barrier
2. Welcome To The Show
3. Why Them
4. Selfish
5. Breathe Away
6. Anyways
7. Like Me
8. Lying
9. Someone’s Got To
10. Bones