Imelda May, all quiffed and coiffured, is fast becoming a leading lady of rock and roll. Her distinctive voice and style, based predominantly on 50s rock & roll, rockabilly, and country and western is making waves on the wider music scene, and she already has her own cult following... After one swift twirl of the audience I've spotted at least a dozen peroxide top-curls, a lot of leopard print ladies and a whole loada Brylcreem on the fellas. It's like Quiff City up in here!
As with many of Imelda's gigs, the fan demographic is as varied as they come. From teeny-bopping rockabilly lovers to the more seasoned rock and roll admirers, this audience spans generously across age, race, gender and seemingly quiff size, too. Filling out Shepherd's Bush with a pumped crowd marks the completion of a journey for May who began singing at the age of 16 in Dublin clubs. Her booming sass has since earnt her the Best Jazz Artist title from The Times and The Next Best Thing accolade from The Daily Mail.
As the lights dim and the crowd begins to cheer, a man takes to the stage, evidently not Imelda. Apologetic in stance and tone he begins to explain away... May has slipped a disc in her back, so she may not be on top form tonight, so cut her some slack and she'll deliver the best she can. The crowd's reactions behind me are mixed, with some petulant brats whining before being beaten back into appreciation by other, more supportive, members of the audience. When May does take to the stage we're puzzled. She walks fine, she talks fine, and when she begins her set, she sure does sing fine. May's voice is energetic and loud and she does wonderfully well at masking any pain or discomfort she could be in.
May has the full package, the whole shebang. Her voice is distinctive - with a rare twang of Irish showing through - and its power lends itself perfectly to track 'Smotherin' Me' that makes use of May's sassy and sometimes raspy qualities. She displays great vocal flexibility, toning the volume down for track 'Meet You At The Moon' - a cool, cloudy London jazz lounge atmosphere settling across the crowd. A true chameleon, Imelda's softer side lures you in with a drawl, before kicking you back with feline fierceness, all the while looking nothing less than sizzling.
Accompanied by her aptly named band (The Imelda May Band), the big sounds they provide match May's booming voice perfectly. Imelda glides seamlessly across stage, bodhran in hand, hair slicked into perfection, tight animal print dress curving in all the right places. But don't let her smooth style fool you, though. She'll whip you back into shape in no time with a track like 'Watcha Gonna Do', whose interlude coos 'Count my fingers, one, two, three. One in the middle, to you from me'... This lady's definitely moving up, and knocking down anyone that dares to stand in her way.
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