Music

The Feeling, the Hoosiers and Sugababes in Edinburgh

There's a girl getting down in the front row wearing a My Chemical Romance t-shirt and a huge pair of DMs. Not quite what you might expect at a regular Sugababes gig perhaps, but this is no regular Sugababes gig. That's right: Vodafone's fast-becoming-legendary TBA gigs are once again giving crowds the chance to watch big-name acts perform in iconic locations for free.

This show is a rather glorious triple whammy, made up of not one, but THREE bands: the chart-tastic triumvirate of Sugababes, the Hoosiers and The Feeling. The location? The bandstand at Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens – with a backdrop topped by the city's majestic castle. What a setting! It's enough to convert anyone to the joy of gig-going before a single note's even been played.

First up it's Keisha – wearing possibly the biggest earrings in Edinburgh – Heidi and Amelle, who introduce themselves by way of the girl-powered 'Hole in the Head' ('such a FOOL boy' they sing sweetly). It is performed amid a lot of slinky striding and a back-up trio of rather unnerving lookey-likey singers. It's all good poppy fun, and there's more girl power to come in the sounds of 'Round Round' where Heidi, in that fabulous solo bit in the middle, really comes into her own. Go ladies! By the time they sing their brilliant, soulful version of En Vogue's 'Don't Let Go', a live favourite with the trio, the harmonies are out in full force.

Edinburgh TBA exclusive footage

Check out exclusive video from Edinburgh's TBA gig.

Their swansong is Sugababes' former number one and electropop masterpiece, 'About You Now', performed in a style not unlike that of My Chemical Romance (perhaps that explains the T-shirt down the front): the keyboard player is headbanging the air; the crowd are pogo-ing and a hardcore crowd of patriotic Scots are shaking their kilt-clad hips and waving their arms. It's a good job everyone's feeling energetic, as the rain has just started. Scotland in June – well, what were the chances?

Energy levels are kept high as the fancy-dress fancying Hoosiers take to the stage. If you've ever been to one of the band's gigs before, you'll know that coming along dressed as a superhero or a smurf is positively encouraged – and, accordingly, their hairy keyboardist is dashingly wearing a Spiderman suit, while the backing vocalists/trumpeters have come as skeletons. Even the speakers are dressed up in fake fur covers and stuffed birds. Perhaps predictably, their debut single and top 20 hit, 'Worried about Ray' is a standout moment – with velveteen clad frontman, Irwin Sparkes jumping octaves like they're going out of fashion. But possibly the best tune is their lively cover of Billy Joel's joyously dodgy 80s classic, 'We Didn't Start the Fire' – it starts off sparse and acoustic, before bursting into technicolour as the skeletons' trumpets crank things up and Sparkes goes all falsetto. The crowd – umbrellas now out – bounce along appreciatively.

"The acts were awesome. I loved the Sugababes cover of En Vogue - it was just a shame about the weather."
Chantal, South Africa

"I was really surprised by the Hoosiers. I hadn't seen them live before and they rocked."
Gary, Glasgow

"Dancing skeletons playing trumpets and trombones.... Nice!"
Nathan, London

"I loved it when he (Dan Gillespie-Sells of the Feeling) jumped off the speakers... that was great"
Emma, Edinburgh

Talking of which, the most-innovative-staying-dry-award (after the guy who's jigging about in full motorcycle leathers and helmet) goes to the girls who have commandeered a huge café parasol and are dancing riotously under it along with their mates. You have to hand it to the Scots, they don't let a bit of rain dampen their spirits.

By the time the sharply dressed The Feeling come on, we're experiencing a full downpour. Though you'd never know it to look at the live music nuts of all ages and styles gearing up for another boogie. And they're not disappointed. The early seventies vibe continues and the thick, retro synths and spangly guitars of opener, 'Thought it was Over', seem to warm everyone up to boot.

Beautifully coiffed singer, Dan Gillespie-Sells, is on a roll: next up is 'Fill my Little World'. It is a joyous anthem and during the chorus the audience happily concurs, singing back 'show some love/you ain't so tough' before it ends with a spectacular finale of high-pitched, soft-focus harmonies. Today is all about the Middle of the Road cover versions, it seems. And here's another, as the Feeling do their own rendition of Buggles' 1980 hit, 'Video Killed the Radio Star'. Finally, they play a drenched but happy crowd out with 'Love it when you Call', which induces a fit of enthusiastic puddle moshing. Well if you can't beat the weather...

Watch the gig on your mobile for FREE. Go to Vodafone live, select Music, then TBA gigs at the top of the page.