Murphy’s law dictates it’s party time
It’s just like Roisin Murphy to make a spectacle of herself, revelling in the way she throws shapes as if on her own private dancefloor, yet knowing she has thousands watching, willing her on and, when prompted, joining in.
Her latest show landed with drama – blinding lights and pounding drums resolving into the declamatory, squelchy funk of Pure Pleasure Seeker, a statement of intent by her previous band Moloko. Murphy, in effortlessly strong, seductive soul voice, was fully in control even when letting it all hang out, as reflected in her signature sculptural stage costumes.
On this occasion, she favoured a twist on executive power dressing, pencil skirt
and spiky heels with various outlandish embellishing pieces sourced from her Grace Jones-style mobile wardrobe department at the side of the stage. Business at the front, party at the back… but also party at the front and on top too, as she launched into the funky bleepology of Dear Miami and the orgasmic vocals of Simulation. Its Donna Summer-style machine music then gave way to a softer muzak-like number with tender, soulful delivery from Murphy.
The silky vocals and pumping techno backdrop of You Knew dovetailed into Moloko classic The Time Is Now and the soulful Something More, with Murphy rocking the funky funeral director look. The crowd needed no cue to take up the refrain of Sing It Back, which began with an extended four-pronged drumming fanfare from her excellent five-piece band before the lean funk guitar came in and the fiesta rhythm followed.
Murphy knew exactly what she was doing, even if her fans could only strap in for the ride. The intense focus of Can’t Replicate contrasted with the looney tunes oompah of Ramalama (Bang Bang) before Murphy encored as a deranged prom queen with Moloko’s Forever More.