Belinda Carlisle, St George's Church, gig review: Lots of sugary pop concoctions that set the teeth on edge

The former lead singer with the Go-Go's, the Californian all-girl band that wasn't the Bangles, Carlisle injected some conviction into compositions whose religious references couldn't have been more apposite given the location

(Maria Jefferis/Redferns)

A grade II listed building, this church provided a grand setting for a headliner who owes her status as an '80s icon to her gorgeous looks, harking back to the Hollywood of the '50s, and a catalogue of naggingly catchy hits with sing-along choruses co-written and produced by Rick Nowels, a disciple of the Diane Warren school of songwriting, now better known for his work with Lana Del Rey.

The former lead singer with the Go-Go's, the Californian all-girl band that wasn't the Bangles, Carlisle injected some conviction into compositions whose religious references – “Forever, amen,” in ''We Want The Same Thing'' and the inevitable set closer ''Heaven Is A Place On Earth'' – couldn't have been more apposite given the location. Having risen as one when she joined her five-piece band, the sell-out congregation stayed on its feet throughout, phones at the ready during the Warren-penned ''I Get Weak'' and a dozen more sickly, sugary, past their sell by dates pop concoctions that set the teeth on edge.

A cover of Serge Gainsbourg's ''Bonnie And Clyde'' from Voila, her 2007 album of chansons, injected a welcome change of pace and atmosphere as the auburn-haired vocalist made like Brigitte Bardot. But Carlisle was never in the same league as Debbie Harry and her decision to only revisit one Go-Go's smash – the stomping ''We Got The Beat'' – and ignore ''Our Lips Are Sealed'' – seemed ill-advised. Nec Plus Ultra/Nec Pew Ultra indeed.