By Pollo Del Mar
Queen of San Francisco Media
Little Boots is the hottest thing going in the United Kingdom these days. Two weeks ago, the electro-pop act -- which is simply the stage name chosen by singer/songwriter Victoria Hesketh -- opened atop Great Britain's pop charts with "Remedy," the second release from her Top 5 debut Hands.
Now across The Pond, Little Boots is starting to pique fans' interests as well. After going viral through Facebook and MySpace, Hesketh released an EP (not quite a full album) titled Illuminations on June 9, 2009, the same day her full-length album launched at home.
To support the collection, which includes tracks like the U.K. Top 20 hit "New In Town," the Kylie-inspired "Stuck on Repeat" and her cover of Freddie Mercury's "Love Kills," Little Boots launched its first North American tour. After playing to sold-out crowds at smaller venues throughout the U.S., the tour wrapped at San Francisco's The Independent with a packed Sept. 19 show.
During the course of the 45-minute set, backed by a keyboardist and drummer, Little Boots ripped through a blazing eight-song collection of its most popular material. To the delight of fans, in addition to her international hits, she delivered "Meddle," "Earthquake," "Mathematics" and "Symmetry." As a special treat she previewed "Click," a sing-along hand-clapper set for release on an album not due until March 2010.
With influences ranging from '80 synth-pop to disco, her voice is alternately reminiscent of Kylie Minogue and Debbie Harry. Little Boots more frequently draws comparisons to her twenty-something peers, however. Critics around the globe frequently lump the act in with contemporaries like Ladyhawke, Le Roux and, possibly due to lack of direct American counterpart, Lady Gaga.
Perhaps a portion of the comparisons between Little Boots and Gaga comes from both collaborating with producer RedOne. In addition to guiding Gaga's chart-topping debut "Just Dance," the tastemaker-du-jour is responsible for crafting the Little Boots smash "Remedy." To the credit of each, though, there is little similarity in sound for either trademark hit.
To be honest, Hesketh delivers far fewer immediately catchy hooks than her American counterpart Gaga. Still, she is no less of a commanding performer. While lacking some of the over-the-top production aspects of Gaga, Hesketh has ample vocal chops and, with the skill of a seasoned artist, kept the audience engaged at all times.
Perhaps San Francisco proved too easy for the one-time Pop Idol contestant. From the opening strains, the audience was unquestionably in love with Hesketh -- and she returned the favor. After whipping audiences into a frothy fervor, she returned for two encores, then left with the promise of more in the future.
From the looks on people's faces as they streamed from the building after, they'll be waiting with baited breath.
Check out Little Boots' chart-topping international smash "Remedy" on YouTube.
