Most of the 2,300 musical acts at SXSW are newbies, using the festival as their chance to get pegged “the next big thing.” The Ting Tings is not one of those bands. Their hits “Shut Up and Let Me Go” and “That’s Not My Name” were everywhere in 2008, but for the past few years, they’ve struggled to produce another contagious feel-good hit. For them, SXSW is their chance to prove their moment is not over. The British twosome, comprised of Katie White and Jules De Martino had a definite disadvantage of playing an early afternoon show, inside to a sober crowd. This is music meant for the dance floor. Still, White’s energy was a force: she jumped around with her electric guitar, banged a giant drum, rang a cowbell, and sang her heart out. Early in the show, there were a few awkward moments: the silence between songs was palpably awkward, but the band caught on making the transitions faster, keeping the beat going. Ultimately, they won the crowd over with “Hands,” a song they released in 2012 and one of the few standouts from their sophomore album. The band’s latest album isn’t due out until October, and it will be a make it or break it release. Their SXSW concert showed the have what it takes to produce catchy, feel-good dance anthems —- if they go all out.
SXSW concert review: The Ting Tings
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