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Had Aluna Francis been working in the late-nineties, she would have inevitably fronted a sassy r&b girlgroup. We'd like to suggest it would be TLC or SWV type outfit, but since she is a Londoner, it's more likely to have been a Precious or an N-Tyce.
Fortunately, Francis dodged that bullet and is very much an artist of the here and now, teaming up with producer George Reid to form AlunaGeorge - the band many are hoping will revolutionise the UK's drab, europop-fused commercial r&b scene. This London duo's glitchy, electronic soul is a refreshing, sexually-charged blast of innovative bump'n'grind beats, last night bringing their hip-shaking show to East London's Hoxton Bar & Kitchen.
Taking to the stage in a golden bra and oversized jacket, Aluna quickly shed the outwear to perform in her sparkly underwear. Rihanna did similar at her London show this week, but where Rihanna's crotch thrusting antics seem forced for the headlines, Aluna oozes pure raunch. Aluna gives the terrifying, intriguing impression that most men wouldn't survive half an hour under the covers with her...
AlunaGeorge took this photo last night from the East London stage
But it's not all about the bumping and the grinding. Then there's the songs. AlunaGeorge have already amassed a collection of floorshaking hits-in-waiting, from opening jam 'Just A Touch' to the stunning 'You Know You Like It' to new track 'Crystalline'. There wasn't a duff song across the entire 40-minute set, and closing track 'Your Drums, Your Love' was greeted by the intimate audience like a No.1. All things being right in the world, one day it will be just that.
AlunaGeorge are being tipped for huge things in 2013, and their live show confirms the hype is more than just music industry bluster. When r&b fans tire of the hollow europop beats championed by the likes Chris Brown, Wiley or Pitbull, the world's new favourite r&b band is all set to go. Just let AlunaGeorge know when you're ready for them, okay?
Watch 'Your Drums, Your Love' below.
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