Isle Of Wight Festival 2010: Little Boots

Little Boots

Isle Of Wight Festival 2010

By Rosie Marsh

Victoria Hesketh joined the hordes of hippies across the tiny patch of water and on to the Wight Isle. She played a stripped acoustic set; no gadgets or a fancy tenori on. She was exposed to the bare bones of her songwriting; just her and a piano. The sun was shining and the crowd stood underneath a giant oak tree whilst songs such as Earthquake, Remedy and New In Town deliciously swam through their ears.

Hesketh, a mere freckle in the distance, told the crowd of how anxious she was to play what would be her only festival appearance of the year, and whilst it wasn’t particularly what her fans were used to, the lack of fancy electronic instruments on stage didn’t dampen any spirits, and had the relaxed audience on their feet chanting to music from Lumidee with Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) and Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (Here is another version of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf8SUA7SDdU)

Victoria looked festival-chic with her new fringe and Princess Leia-like hair, but she wouldn’t be Little Boots if she didn’t fashion a peculiar garment on stage, this time a silver, almost mirror-like, other-worldly top. Hesketh’s set was impressive and showcased her compelling vocal range. Her reflective and utterly absorbing lyrics resulted in her making an H1N1 strain of music. The set apprehended just what an accomplished piano player she is as those little hammers barely got a rest. The Acoustic Stage was in awe, and this lady's next record is eagerly anticipated.