Goldfrapp
Austin Music Hall, Thursday, March 16
It’s enough to incite a riot: Take an act who’s scheduled to perform after a special guest, then bump their slot up half an hour when the special guest flakes. In this instance, Goldfrapp’s showcase was moved up after Ray Davies reneged on a showcase at the Austin Music Hall following Morrissey. Many an eager fan arrived prior to the appointed start time only to catch the last few songs. Funny thing is, it only took those last five or six songs to get the gist. Not to say that the British performing artist/new electronica sensation is a one-trick pony, but if the horseshoe fits … A breezy blonde blend of Stevie Nicks and Debbie Harry, Allison Goldfrapp really knows how to work the wardrobe, a fuschia pink cape worn over a black tank top and black jeans. Her stage presence consisted solely of flapping the cape around, letting her hair be blown by the onstage wind machines, and strutting around reciting the lyrics to “Ooh La La,” “Love to C U,” and “Ride a White Horse,” all tracks from her latest release, Supernature (Mute). Not bad, just bland, which eases the pain of having missed the bulk of her set.
This article appears in March 24 • 2006.