Oxegen 2011 - Eliza Doolittle
2fm/Hotpress, Saturday, 7.20pm
Describe in a Tweet: A surprisingly fun performance that would put a smile on anyone's face.
What happened: Ms Doolittle's irritatingly infectious brand of pop may make many see red but her set in the Hotpress tent would have changed the mind of many detractors. With a merry live band accompanying her brilliantly (including possibly the most jovial double bass player to grace a stage) Doolittle managed to captivate a sizeable crowd with lush harmonies and soul infused folk pop. We've got ukuleles, pianos, gospel singers and guitars providing a delightful backing to the numerous hooks encapsulated in each track: Skinny Genes is a real treat, a cheerful lo-fi pop number that overpowers the tongue in cheek lyrics. In such a short set it's a surprise she covers Bruno Mars, turning "Grenade" into a sultry chilled out ballad but on the whole it's a remarkably fun experience for all. Pitchfork will not praise her album any time soon, but even the most committed hipsters will find themselves singing along after the Doolittle sugar coated charm offensive.
Crazy In Love: Those walking basslines make our day, providing the aural equivalent of an anti-depressant for the masses. The singles come across well live but our highlight is Back To Front, a glorious reinterpretation of the Bill Withers classic Lovely Day.
Why Don't You Love Me: Nobody is a definite low point and certainly feels like forgettable filler material, doing little to show off the abilities of Doolittle's band or her own vocals. Grenade smacks of opportunism: she has the songs to sustain things for 40 minutes or more and choosing to cover such a heavily played track could be viewed as taking the easy way out at a festival.
Oxegen rating: 7/10
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