Live Review: Sugar Fed Leopards, Real Hot Bitches, Mighty Dukes & The Lords

Channelling hammocks, margaritas and an endless Caribbean cruise, Calypso aficionados Mighty Dukes & The Lords open proceedings. Rocking a DIY drum kit, complete with a bass drum made out of a suitcase with the aeroplane tags still attached, the band perform songs that range from being about cannibals to flamingos.

Singers “Mighty” and “Duke” are immaculately dressed in Hawaiian shirts and crisp linen suits, while the rest of the band complete the cruise ship theme with sailor hats, aviators and boat shorts. The songs are fun and meant to be silly, however it’s clear that the band has focused on their aesthetic more than their lyrics. Nevertheless, the audience are into it, getting involved by swing dancing and throwing a beach ball around.

Real Hot Bitches clear a space in front of the stage and pull out coordinated dance moves to tracks such as Maniac from the Flashdance soundtrack and Kiss by Prince. Their moves are crass and their costumes amazing. Watching a mass of people dressed in multi-coloured G-string leotards, leg warmers and outrageous mullet wigs makes you think that they were onto something during the ‘80s.

Launching their debut album Sweet Spots, the doo-wop/disco/soul-inspired Sugar Fed Leopards take the stage framed by two giant, cardboard ice-cream cones. The sugar theme is well utilised; a pair of candy tray-carrying girls snake their way through the crowd handing out lollies complete with instructions to maximise the sugar high experience. The band have a jittery start, seeming to have trouble hearing one another and maintaining tempo. However, by Mi Querida, when they are joined on stage by two horn players dressed as matadors, they pull it together. Despite the lull at the start, this gig is fun and sparkly. Costume changes are abundant and the cameo by “The Ghost of Disco”, who starts a conga line, is great. Lead singer/fearless leader Steph “Sugar Breath” Brett introduces the band to the audience (drummer Gray Taylor, aka “Gum Ball Gray”, clearly winning the best pseudonym competition) and Fresh Jaguar Meat sees the audience to the encore.

Endless clapping and cheering brings the band back on stage (after a costume change) to perform their single The Boogaloo. Compelled to continue playing, they then perform a rendition of Tina Charles’ I Love To Love before finally exiting the stage leaving the crowd (still) calling for more.