Ibiza's sunny and hectic climate may seem like a no-brainer of a backdrop for Santigold's tribal and often head-spinning beats, but her show at the infamous Es Vive hotel in collaboration with Sony Entertainment Network Ibiza was in fact her first time on the island.
Not that any nerves of living up to the area's reputation as a clubbing mecca showed. She arrived on stage sans any introduction and promptly took on 'GO!'; a track with enough dancehall vibrancy to send the small and tricky crowd of guestlisters only into a mini-frenzy.
Performance has always been central to Santigold's act, though unlike her recent spot at Wireless where she was flanked by a three-man band, she was reduced to a backing track manned by someone in a papier-mâché costume. Fortunately, a pair of deadpan backing dancers were armed with enough quirky props including a spangly gold cape and lace umbrellas to keep things quizzical.
She oozed confidence on 'L.E.S Artistes' and latest single 'The Keeper' and even managed to pull a handful of the 150 in attendance on stage for 'The Creator'. Though it was on 'Disparate Youth' where she shined brightest, delivering an ice-cool vocal with piercing clarity to the crowd over a bouncy hip-hop beat.
Closing with the playful 'Freak Like Me' and a bonkers rendition of 'Big Mouth', the result was an impressive and supremely confident set from a singer who until only recently felt as though she was hitting her stride.
Santigold played Es Vive as part of Sony Entertainment Network Ibiza. For more information visit sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/ibiza.
> Read Digital Spy's review of Master of my Make-Believe
Watch the music video for Santigold's current single 'The Keeper' below:
