Introducing Sliimy + live review + video

Although in a drunken haze, I felt it imperative that we were first to review this show (and bring you another teentoday.co.uk exclusive). I’ve just got back from the Sliimy showcase (and first ever full UK performance) in ever-popular Hoxton Square to see if the guy with the Perez Hilton marketing machine behind him deserves the crescendo of hype he’s already garnered (including mysterious Who is Sliimy? tweets from the likes of Katy Perry, Paris Hilton and Lady Gaga) or – as I’m sure the record label fear – he’ll be seen as an inferior and just a little-bit-too-odd version of Mika.

Let’s just kill that one now, because despite the slightly unique styling, the quirky nature of his pop and even-stranger nature of his rather-epic barnet Sliimy is just nothing like Mika. His personal take on leftfield pop is affecting and soulful stuff – equal parts bashful and confident. Oh, and very frequently dark (and all the better for it). Despite his likely protestation otherwise there is none of the high-gloss camp and showmanship of Mika.

Infact Sliimy in his finest moments instead comes across as the tortured and poetic kid booted from his bedroom – complete with his diary, wardrobe and all the youthful angst, insolence, joy and passion – and promptly stuck on stage and told to sing. This fact brings a beautiful sense of authenticity and rawness to his music, reminiscent of something an at-her-best Lily Allen or Kate Nash might do. In fact, whilst his contemporaries bound around on stage with joy, Sliimy seems more like a rag doll suspended from the rafters, endearingly and occasionally hysterically flailing around the more-prop-than-instrument mic stand.

Accompanied by acoustic guitar, Sliimy grunted, gurned, whispered, gnarled, knashed, choked (and even sang) his way through a succession of musical numbers, the majority beautifully formed masterclasses in unaffected-sounded but twisted rainbowesque pop like debut single Wake Up (I’m Not mister muscle but I can be loathsome And I can hustle you) that fits perfectly with his quirky styling and showmanship. And talking of the styling, he looked like a child lost in the World of Fancydress – a storm of oversized regal blazers, slack trousers, bow ties, Shoreditch glasses and British hat – every bit as fantastic as it sounds.

Inversely, other songs are potentially so inoffensive they leave you thinking of the bar or later in the show, the inevitable toilet dash– like the Womanizer cover that despite being a fantastic moment of pop interpretation that scores points for familiarity in a mostly unheard set – has lost some of its impact after multiple listens. These moments however are insignificant when at their greatest, songs such as See You Again, and these really are beautiful moments, are akin to tormented lullabies that will send shivers down your spine and are written and emoted so poetically and theatrically they can stop a room of seasoned Shoreditchy types in their tracks…

The show itself is equal parts theatre and music, as Sliimy contorts his face and body like the playdo used to create his debut stop-gap animation video… although it all seems slightly in conflict with his obviously shy and low-key offstage nature. Infact some of the camper and unabashed moments of sexuality bordered on drunken gay best mate at a party and will likely (and sadly) alienate some potential fans. Though his take on pop is fresh and often inspired it won’t be for everyone, however a world of lonely gay teenagers just found a new best friend through their ipod.

Tomorrow Sliimy takes to the stage as the support act for Katy Perry’s Newcastle show, and the question is will the subtleties and beauty in what he does be lost on a pop-hungry crowd expecting a bombastic performance, and will his unabashed camp stage persona and initially simple-sounding nursery rhyme lyrics (and offbeat dancing) alienate potential fans. We certainly hope not: give him a chance because when you let the music sweep over you, this is someone you will grow to love. A lot. Another teentoday.co.uk crush in the making.

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What do you think of Sliimy? Quirky pop fruitloop or just plain naff?