Streets ahead

Saw a great live promo show by The Streets for radio station Studio Brussel last night (thanks Stuart). Mike Skinner, 'Fat Leo' and band were clearly enjoying their work as they rolled out several tracks from the new album, 'The hardest way to make an easy living', interspersed with old favourites such as 'Blinded by the lights', 'Turn the page' and 'Let's push things forward'. The 45-minute set in front of 150 people (we were close enough to smell the brandy Skinner was drinking) proved that The Streets can cut it live as well as in the studio. The playfulness of the two singers/MCs and their interplay with the audience was a joy to behold: from Leo Ihenacho teasing one couple with a twisted rendition of 'Don't Cha' ("Don't cha wish your boyfriend was hot like me, don't cha wish your boyfriend licked your pussy like me"), to 'Don't mug yourself' segueing into 'I bet you look good on the dancefloor', to Mike Skinner having one of his trainers thrown into the crowd. After a breakneck rendition of 'Fit but you know it', the frontman ended the evening by throwing himself onto the obligingly outstretched arms of his audience from a balcony a good 15 feet above, having threatened/promised to do so earlier in the set. A nice way for the band to end their short promo tour and a promise of excitement for anyone catching them live in the coming months. Don't believe the backlash hype, The Streets are still raw, real and really rather good.