Summer is a time of free spirited partying and enjoying the good times while it lasts, and Lily Allen is one particular artist who encapsulates these ideals with her unique brand of witty, vibrant reggae-cum-ska-pop. On her second visit to Australia in six months, Lily was here to promote her debut album, Alright, Still, a record that had won her fans not only in her own country, England, but also in Australia with the album reaching #6 in the album charts and scoring a string of top 10 singles. Playing at the Big Top, Luna Park, one wondered how Lily Allen’s infectiously entertaining music would translate in the barn-like nature of the venue.

 

One act which clearly struggled to find their feet in the expansive surroundings were support acts Astronomy Class. As the side-project of The Herd frontman, Ozi Batla and  producers Sir Robbo and Chasm, were joined onstage by impressive bassist, John Maddox, a female back-up singer and trumpet player. Playing an hour set of Aussie hip-hop mixed with funk and dub/reggae elements., Batla’s delivery was smooth and fiery and yet the set struggled to excite the crowd. Sounding empty and hollow in the vast surrounds of the Big Top, the set lacked the intensity it most surely would have produced in a more intimate venue. Nevertheless, Batla’s knack of churning out sharp and witty lyrics was again on display and given more time on stage, the group will undoubtedly improve their live performance.

 

The gap between the support act and the main act is often the worst part of a gig. With that in mind, it was a clever move by the organisers to fill that often irritating and annoying wait with ex-Avalanches member, James De La Cruz. Spinning some fantastic tunes, namely the ubiquitous dancefloor number, Hey Ya! by Outkast, De La Cruz had the all-ages crowd boogying as they waited patiently for the star attraction.

 

Not to be outdone by De La Cruz, Allen and her 7 piece-band burst onto stage to the unmistakeable opening horn section of hit single LDN. With a fag in one hand and the mike in the other, the diminutive singer strutted from one side of the stage to other singing, “sun is in the sky oh why would wanna be anywhere else?” challenging anyone in the crowd to defy not enjoying themselves. Providing the predominantly adolescent girl crowd with some valuable wisdom, Knock ‘Em Out offered the girls some valuable advice in dissuading horny men looking for a quick fling (I’m pregnant is the one that works ladies).

 

Doubts over Allen’s ability to perform in a venue with such poor acoustics were dispelled by a rollicking Friday Night, with the band’s musicianship adding another dimension to her sound. Allen also lived up to her feisty reputation, dedicating Not Big to the drummer of Jet (with whom she was allegedly involved in a bit of a fisticuff at the Gold Coast BDO). Needless to say, Not Big was referring to a certain part of the drummer’s anatomy. Followed by the heartfelt lovesong, Littlest Things and a rousing cover of The Kooks hit, Naïve, a song about misguided love which resonated with the teenage girls who responded accordingly by “singing” along in their high-pitched voices. Allen’s biggest hit to date, Smile was given its obligatory airing and with the 7 piece-band in fine form, the breezy song about a betrayed lover’s revenge packed an extra punch. Ending with a cover of The Specials’ classic, Blank Expression and Alfie, a hilarious song about Allen’s “naughty little brother”, a content crowd left the The Big Top humming the jubilant soundtrack of summer.