The three Barberettes, together with backing band of keyboard, drum and bass, received an enthusiastic welcome at The Forge in Camden for their two-night residency. They also did well to get coverage on London and national radio and national TV. Lola Kothari on BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction pronounced them ‘wonderful’, and one member of the audience on Saturday came all the way from Scotland to see them.
Their singing was slick and highly professional, capturing the sound of 1950s girl vocalists to a tee. They performed new compositions and covers of songs from the 50s through to the 21st century, all in their sunny doo-wop style. For LKL, the highlight was a ppongtchak-inspired number, while for the Barberettes themselves the highlight was performing an Amy Winehouse number in the part of London most associated with her. An immensely civilised, feelgood evening. And the pulled pork and kimchi Venezuelan flatbreads were really good too.
