Rise Festival, Finsbury Park, 15 July 2007

Move over Beth Ditto. Shingai Shoniwa is now officially the coolest lady in rock. Wild haired, donning gigantic gold shoulder pads and torn florescent green leggings, she didn’t just warm up the crowd at Europe’s largest anti-racism festival - she set them alight.

The Noisettes front woman told us how it’s a dream come true performing between sets by Jamelia and Kelis.

‘We’re all very different but that’s what makes London so incredible,’ she said.
She couldn't have summed-up Rise better.

Shingai’s stunning vocal range stretched from growls to squeals. She showed prowess, playing both electric and bass guitar as she strutted around the stage, jumping off amps and sliding to her knees.

She dedicated a song to her Mum in the crowd who was looking nearly as cool as Shingai and sang along to all the words of the Noisettes’ punk-funk tunes.

Jamelia was looking stylish in black and gold, the highlight of her set being a melodious cover of Gnarles Barkley’s Crazy, which got the crowd singing in harmony.

‘Hey, wazzup!’ Kelis screamed as she entered the stage following a ten-minute instrumental by her band.

Defining sexy in a satin miniskirt and white heals, she got the crowd rocking out to ‘Blindfold Me’, before slowing it down for ‘Lil’ Star’. ‘Trick Me’, showed her fusing rock and R’n’B as only she knows how.

But it was Kelis’ Milkshake that had brought all the boys (and girls) to Finsbury Park as she showed she really knows how to dance and got the entire crowd singing and dancing along too.

Horse play

They sold out a gig at Koko and toured with the Klaxons. Now North London's New Young Pony Club has decided it's time to release their debut album, Fantastic Playroom, out on Monday. I caught up with the band’s producer and guitarist Andy Spence.

Why New Young Pony Club?

It was Tahita’s (vocalist) choice. She always wanted a pony when she was younger and liked the idea of being in a club. Plus it sounds kinky.

Why have you called your album Fantastic Playroom?

We wanted to describe where we made it. The studio was our sanctuary to play around in. We kept going back to have fun and try out new things.

Describe it in a sentence

It’s a fantastic, futuristic, avant guard pop journey.

What are your favourite toys?

My Pro 5 Keyboard and Sequential Circuit music equipment which makes wiggly noises. I also like my cow bell.

Did you ever have a My Little Pony?

No but I’m sure all the girls in the band did. Plus all the accessories and castles.

Are there too many trilby wearing guitar bands?

I think there are too many indie boy bands and that style’s been done to death. It’s not original. Bands used to want to make music, no matter who they were. Now it seems more like a career choice. They probably offer it at school… would you like to be a surveyor, a police man or a band member? It’s something people choose to do rather than having a desire to make music.

Are there enough female led bands?

There’s a surge at the moment. It seems like positive discrimination.

Who are your fave current bands?

Bat For Lashes are great. I saw their lead singer recently and was mesmerised- too shy to say hello.

Simian Mobile Disco is also really strong. They’re like the next Chemical Brothers.

Are you making rock music sexy again?

I think we’re helping. We’re certainly not making it uglier. We sound like we like having fun. We’ve got some dirty lyrics but we sing about all sorts of things. We’re a sexy nerdy band.

You all seem very stylish. What’s your dress sense influenced by?

We make it up as we go along. We have alot of older influences like the Blondie era. But everyone has their own taste. Tahita loves Iggy Pop but she hasn’t done that look on stage yet.

You’re playing a lot of festivals this summer. Why should people come to see you live?

We’re fresh, fun and have loads of catchy tunes.

What’s your favourite flavour Ice-cream?

It’s gotta be chocolate

Do you ever fall out?

Sometimes. We had quite a big bus on tour so we could sit at opposite ends if we do.

Who’s the sexiest band member?

Me of course. Who else?

Who’s the naughtiest band member?

Probably Sarah (drummer). She seems quite sweet. But at one gig some guys started shouting and she threw a lemon which hit one of them really hard. She’s a dark horse.

Fantastic Playroom is released on July 9.