Tom Tom Club at Shepherds Bush

O yes, it's time to bounce. Island Records is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week with a series of triple bills at Shepherds Bush Academy and last night was the turn of Tom Tom Club. I missed them last year when they played at the Royal Festival Hall so last night was a must-see.

First, it was the turn of Ladyhawke, someone I'd vaguely heard of but never heard. Supported by an 11-piece band (including a string section) on she came in a large sleeveless denim jacket and blond hair almost covering her face, performing song after song with no chat or engagement with the audience. I quite liked what I heard, lots of synths and power-chords but the drums should've been turned down and the vocals turned up - I couldn't hear what she was singing about. She seemed genuinely pleased by the applause which is always going to be a bit muted on multi-act bills with people attending to see different bands. Then the lights came up and time to change the stage set for the Tom Tom Club.

On came the TTC lads (minus Mystic Bowie but with Kid Ginseng) with Chris tripping as he jumped onto the riser with his drum kit (ouch) and then appeared two visions of loveliness in short cocktail frocks, Tina with her hair in pigtails and wearing the sparkliest black frock while Victoria was all blond in an ivory minifrock. As soon as Tina had slung her bass they were off and bouncing with 'Suboceana' and a "boom boom chi boom boom" to you too!

Lots of guitar and percussion and Tina's bouncing bass, the sound mix was much better with Tina and Victoria's voices easily floating at the top of the music. The lasses didn't stop moving, filling the space at the front of the stage, bouncing and pogoing, and Victoria couldn't stop smiling the whole time, they seemed to be so pleased to be there and part of the Island celebration. Their music is happy and infectious and the people around us that were clearly there to see another band started clapping more lustily after the first couple of songs had got them in the mood. Chris and Tina have been around long enough (Talking Heads anyone?) to know how to put on a good performance and they certainly gave their all last night and earned the sustained applause at the end, much more than a polite clapping, it was the sound of a crowd who'd enjoyed themselves.

Songs included 'L'Elephant', 'Who Feelin' It', 'Punk Lolita', 'Genius Of Love', 'Man With The Four-Way Hips' and 'Happiness Can't Buy Money' (which I was humming to myself while walking round Shepherds Bush Green on the way to the venue). Tina very kindly dedicated 'You Sexy Thing' to Ladyhawke who was sitting not far from us in the balcony. They closed with a fierce and energetic version of 'Wordy Rappinghood', played fast and hard and a stunning climax to their set.

I was smiling and singing along throughout the set, bouncing in my seat just as Tina and Victoria bounced around the stage looking lithe and hot (them not me). They create such a happy sound and are a great live band. The only disappointment (other than the set not being longer) is that Tina didn't throw her knickers at me like she did when I saw them at a CBGB night a few years ago (but that's another story). O well. Sorry, no time for nostalgia, I'm off to bounce some more ... Ok bye!