The Gossip

ABC, Glasgow

After the best part of five years touring small venues and being widely ignored by all but the most hardcore fans, the rise to prominence of The Gossip, and more specifically their frontwoman, Beth Ditto, is as unexpected as it is pleasing.

Indeed, this is a sold out rock show that is inclusive, funny, self-depreciating and powered by her incredible energy and presence.

These factors, coupled with a predominantly female audience, make it utterly atypical of the dour, male greyness of the majority of NME sponsored indie-rock, or the contrivance that is the ‘nu-rave’ scene on which they have hitched something of a ride.

Instead, Ditto’s most obvious musical reference points are the likes of The Slits, Bikini Kill and Le Tigre – bands that channelled female punk energy into an arguably more arty, less commercial concoction.

The accessibility derives mainly from Ditto’s voice (somewhere between Ronnie Spector and Candi Staton) rather than the songs. Few punk inspired bands have ever had the benefit of such a rich, soulful voice, which makes up for the sketchbook nature of some of the songs.

At their best – the current single, ‘Standing in the Way of Control’ and ‘My Jealousy’ – the tunes are riotously danceable, but often it is the sheer force of Ditto’s personality and the voice that drive the material rather than vice versa.

The only cautionary note is the singer’s own discomfort in her new found success. Deciding that the stage is “too big” and could house “forty Smart Cars,” she descends into the audience and with it goes both the visual focus and sound quality.

Nevertheless, watching their discomfort in success, though slightly incongruous, is both refreshing and a large part of the thrill.