Saturdays on song

I WAS expecting the Saturdays to be something of a poor imitation of Girls Aloud, but right from the start of their all-singing, all-dancing show at Plymouth Pavilions, I was proved wrong.

Here are five gorgeous, pouty, sassy girls who not only look fab they sound it too – especially when in full-flowing, five-part harmony mode. However individually they can really sing – some perhaps better than others – as they demonstrated on many occasions when taking turns on lead vocals.

After a bouncy pop opening rendition of If This Is Love they wasted little time in plunging headlong into their comic relief winner Just Can't Get Enough – Depeche Mode's '80s dance-floor classic – and the party was well and truly started.

Bringing it down a touch we had the inevitable acoustic set – rather impressively with two band members themselves strumming away – which included a repeat of their excellent Radio One Live Lounge cover of Madcon's Beggin'.

Other well-chosen covers arrived in medley form, including Rhianna's Shut Up And Drive – one particularly suited to their delivery – a perhaps less convincing rendition of Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl and Pink's So What.

New single Work was catchy enough and will probably do well in the charts but Issues was arguably better, a well written song, superbly sung, which came to screams of appreciation in the encore, complete with that familiar introductory autumnal video. The girls delighted the crowd throughout with easy chat, each taking turns to have their say on the mic, while frequent costume changes, a complex set, innovative lighting and videos of the fab five all added to the wow factor.

Despite all that, however, the warm up act still stole the show. New kid on the block Pixie Lott, playing her very first set of live dates, had none of the added extras, just performing in a simple sequinned black leotard in front of a black curtain with a couple of dancers and acoustic guitarist. But her mature, rich, distinctive and incredibly powerful voice was nothing short of sensational – one of the very best I've heard live for a good while – and her fabulous frame, blonde locks and coy but confident demeanour help comprise a package that has all the hallmarks of a star in the making.

Her recent number one single Mamma Do was undoubtedly highlight song of the night. Look out for Pixie headlining when she next visits.