Live Review: The Ting Tings and The Duke Spirit at the Rickshaw Stop, 03/10/08

Live Review: The Ting Tings and The Duke Spirit at the Rickshaw Stop, 03/10/08

A taste of what's in store at SXSW: Aidin Vaziri | The Duke Spirit offered up a set of sinister, seasick tunes like "My Sunken Treasure" and "The Step and the Walk," coming across a bit like an old Siouxsie and the Banshees record played at half-speed. "More Brits in the building, can you handle it?" singer Liela Moss asked at one point, somehow making the greeting sound like a threat. "You're lucky you got all the good ones." No doubt, the Ting Tings are one of the most exciting imports of the year. The Salford duo's shouty electro-pop singles, like "Fruit Machine" and "Great DJ," are decent enough but hardly hint at their breathless live show. As singer-guitarist Katie White flailed across the stage and drummer Jules de Martino kept the rhythm behind a pair of mirrored aviator glasses, the group tore through a delirious set that included all their previously released material (there's not that much yet), plus a new song that sounded like the White Stripes covering New Order. Continue reading.