Pic by Chris Saville/apexnewspics.com 18/07/07

Dave Meneer, Eden's in-house compere, proudly boasted "we don't book support acts, we book a headliner and then another headliner" as he introduced Mark Ronson onto the stage. And while a trawl through 'Daydream Believer' and a few working men's club gags wouldn't have gone amiss as well, he did have a point. Dirty Pretty Things, Hot Chip, Ronson...they've all got it in 'em to make that leap and take to the stage after 9pm. It bodes well for the future of the Eden Sessions.

Ronson, along with his band of stylized-musos and guest singers, lit up the stage from the off, looking totally at home amongst the biomes and the early evening sunset. Performing a medley of different covers from his album Version, we were treated to an array of guest singers including Daniel Merriweather and Alex Greenwald (who 'treated' the crowd to a cover of that CACK song from The OC). While Ronson's guests may veer from the banal to the brilliant, it's his slick production that really impresses. His album features the renowned Dapkings - 'probably the best backing band...in the world'. And his touring band, as copycat players go, are pretty great too.  

Lily Allen's album, of course, was part-produced by Ronson. But whereas he still retains a sense of cool, Lily's star is now as debilitated as smoking in public houses. Chastised by the tabloids as nothing more than a gobby chav, she can do little more these days than bang her head against the red tops and bitch her heart out on MySpace.

Expectation for her set was high, and we suspect a fair proportion of the crowd were there simply as star-gazers rather than true fans. But, bounding on stage to the intro of 'LDN', resplendent in a long white dress, trainers and that ever-present can of Strongbow, it started to become apparent that Allen does have something about her. Not only has she got a lively and infectious personality - one that doesn't come through that well on record - but her voice is strong, sweet and pretty flexible too. She looks weird as well, a bit like a messed-up geisha girl. Hmm.

Standout tracks 'Littlest Thing' and 'Smile', both of which are completely nicked from porn films (Emmanuelle) and old Jackie Mittoo classics ('Free Soul' - you have to hear this!!) further proved that Lily, as a live performer, has enough fizz about her to carry off her day job. A couple of Specials covers ('Blank Expression' and 'Gangsters') and a reworking of Blondie's 'Heart Of Glass' were also thrown into the mix, but the gig was more than a glorified karaoke set. I suspect Lily genuinely loves these tunes (along with all the others she's nicked for Alright, Still). I also think she's got a pretty impeccable taste in music and a wicked business sense.

It's this that makes her existence (in music, at least) worthwhile. Why? Because it's pretty rare to find a female pop star - one who isn't marketed as being either A) shaggable or B) world-weary - so intent on twisting old post-punk/reggae licks into her own songs, taking them to the top of the charts AND pulling it off on the stage too. It's just a shame she's so keen on leaping into bed with Rupert Murdoch and the 3am girls so often. (Lauren Faulkner)

Lily live @ Eden: 

Check out this rather wonderful article on the Music Like Dirt blog, entitled Alright, Steal to see exactly how much Lily's album wasn't her own work. Trojan Records must be well chuffed.

Related Eden reviews:
Amy Winehouse
Rufus Wainwright
Dirty Pretty Things & Pet Shop Boys