We forgot to mention...

We were on the front row for the beyond-existing-words Gossip gig at the Scala in Kings Cross on Thursday night, and were blown away all over again by the tremendous amount of energy the entire band, particularly everyone's favourite skinny-bitch-destroying-vagina-inclined-towards-diva, Beth Ditto, emits. We were especially pleasantly surprised with the new material the band played from the eagerly awaited Music for Men. The band have infinitely improved by adding a fourth member to their live band, with a new guy taking over Brace Paine's former bass duties, allowing him to add a guitar, synths and keyboards to the formerly-destined-to-grow-stale-very-soon mix. While their older material still holds up to it's thumping, aggressive power of pre-Standing in the Way of Control days, an injection of new aural adventures were required and they work to impressive effect. Two of our writers were stars of the show for brief moments during new song "Men in Love" when they demonstrated their own 'love' for La Ditto. Ahem!

Of course, as with every post-2006 Gossip gig, the atmosphere and energy of the crowd is quadrupled with the Standing climax, as still three years after it bombarded it's big lesbian boobs through the UK charts and Skins adverts alike, 60% of Gossip 'fans' were only at the gig for that song. We weren't complaining as it's acceptable that these 'fans' will only learn the brilliance of their new material through attending the gig in the first place. It's enjoyable to see them still performing the material from the days when they were actually still an independent label band, something rarely seen in bands who 'hit the big time' for want of phrase less loaded with fromage, particularly slow burner "Yesterday's News" and stomper "Fire/Sign". The material from their 2006 album was also much appreciated, however the new material shone like a big gay diamond dangling from Ditto's left lobe. We cannot wait to get our grubby hands on a fresh copy from HMV (yes, we are making a point of purchasing a physical copy from a physical shop, physically!).

Closing the set with a rendition of Tina Turner's "Private Dancer", sung from the middle of the crowd, Dittodonna left the stage with her bandmates to hang out with the glorious likes of Peaches "Massivest Twat In London" Geldof (unfortunately for their street cred, but we've given up trying to look for that!) and we went home enormously satisfied on a belly full of chicken baguette, donuts, McDonalds fries and human persperation all the way from Portland, Oregon. Apologies for the blurriness of the photos below. The purpose is to demonstrate the energy of the show (evidently there), and how close we were!

Recommendations
"Heavy Cross" - Gossip
"Yr Mangled Heart" - Gossip
"Private Dancer" - Tina Turner