Music

Pussycat Dolls in Windsor

When the rather cheeky 'Don't Cha' burst into the charts last year, you could have been forgiven for thinking that PCD were just another manufactured girl-band, hastily assembled by some music industry bods to make a quick buck.

But as they strut onto the stage in the unlikely surrounds of Windsor racecourse, it's clear there's a bit more to the slinky RnB-tinged popsters than meets the eye.

It was the clamouring of celeb fans like Gwen Stefani, Brittney Murphy and Christina Aguilera to perform cameos singing with the girls that persuaded PCD to make singing a permanent part of their act. They recruited Melody Thornton and lead singer, Nicole Scherzinger, to belt out some suitably sexy vocals.

So with all that practice, it's no wonder the ladies are looking so confident this evening. As concert venues go, this one is definitely different. Yep, the last race has just run and we all have to be quiet until the horses have left the venue, explains the racing announcer in his cut-glass tones.

Pussycat Dolls exclusive footage

Check out exclusive video from the Pussycat Dolls' Vodafone TBA gig at Windsor Racecourse.

View Pussycat Dolls footage

But this all somehow adds to the air of exclusivity - with the girls now mega-stars half way across the world, with the likes of Busta Rhymes, Timbaland and Black Eyed Peas on their album and a string of number ones in their wake - it almost feels like a private show put on just for us.

And in more ways than one, the guys are probably thinking, as the blonde PCDs, Kimberley Wyatt and Ashley Roberts saucily use the stage-scaffolding as pole-dancing props, and Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta, Nicole and Melody give it some at the front, doing thigh-challenging moves that'd make any aerobics instructor proud.

"The venue was absolutely fantastic. And the way it worked with the barcodes and everything was great." They played all my favourite songs off the album. We were listening to it in the car on the way down."
Joanne, Reading

"It was great and I was really surprised how much the crowd got into it - even all those Windsor racecourse-goers."
Andy, London

Slinkily, the beats grow bigger and the orchestral backing track morphs into a super slo-mo version of the new single, 'Buttonz', the Arabic influences exaggerated as the exotic strings and hand-cymbal sounds float magically through the evening sky. The girls give it a bit of crunk action to crank up the crowd as Snoop Dogg does his thing on the backing tape.

The first number shows off the moves rather than the voices, but 'I Don't Need A Man' proves some of these dolls can sing too. Out of nowhere, suddenly all you can hear is Nicole's huge soulful chorus soaring out from the stage.

It sounds so impressive that even the old guys who've stumbled across from the racecourse bar in their three-quarter length coats have their arms in the air, singing: 'I don't need a ring on my finger'. Go guys...!

Next up, it's back to their roots for a spot of pure old-fashioned burlesque-style cabaret - outfits are whipped off to reveal matching sequined bustiers and the girls march, wiggle and high-kick their way around the stage to a medley of jazzy classics from the Pink Panther theme tune through to 'Fever' and culminating in an ultra sexy acapella version of 'Feelin' Good', sung gorgeously by a smoky-voiced Nicole.

PCD are (slightly scary!) proof that MTV perfection doesn't only come in digitally-enhanced video clips - and seeing the girls' tanned, buff bods and synchronized moves up so close is surreal, yet despite their perfect looks, there's something somehow very real about PCD, and the very 21st century version of girl-power they exude.

Several lightning-speed costume changes and a lot of butt-shaking later, it's the moment everyone's been waiting for. The finale… Yep, you guessed right. 'Don't Cha', for which we're divided into groups for a sing-along-off.

Exhilarating, outrageous, fun, energetic and sexy. PCD are an irresistible feel-good package who'll send you home with a huge smile on your face and catchy tunes bouncing around your brain. And really, what more can you ask for from a night out?