Royal Albert Hall
London
Words by Natalia Christina
Photos by Dan Wilton

HUSH is an initiative run by the Royal Albert Hall to promote young, up and coming and independently produced music, which has been specially selected as part of this initiative. This is meant to signify their commitment to championing diversity and to cast off an old fashioned image. Previous events include a Moshi Moshi event with a DJ set from Hot Chip. So. That’s the blurb they’re pushing, but was it any good?

Thecockandbullkid AKA Anita Blay headlined this HUSH and support came from DELS, the Hot Chip championed rapper whose forthcoming album is a collaboration with Joe Goddard. We even got a DJ set from the teeny tiny Little Boots. The venue was actually in a place called Elgar Room, entering it looked more like a Wetherspoons in Croydon than the Royal Albert Hall. I think it was the navy patterned carpets that did it.

The first time I saw thecockandbullkid was nearly three years ago when she was booked for a mate’s birthday. She swooped in all cavalier-like with a rogue track CD and her companion – he took a shine to the dad at the party. Things have come a long way. Having received hugely positive press, the proof really is in the synthy, perfectly formed pop she produces. She breezed her way through the ‘I can’t get it out of my head and know every word’ On My Own.

“Er, I don’t prepare anecdotes” she charmed us as the hard drive crashed half way through the set. We got a couple of new tracks such as Black, which features some impressive whistling whilst playing the keyboard. I asked her if she was nervous about playing at such a renowned venue “ well I try not to think about my gigs before hand, I mean I am grateful but, you know”, all in a days work I guess. Thecockandbullkid showed why she’s head of the pack at the moment, commanding the stage with ease.