PHOTO CREDIT: Audrey Leon

Portland-based soul punks The Gossip brought sexy back to the Metro stage on Friday night. Outfitted in a slinky, glittery black dress with neon red hair Gossip vocalist Beth Ditto captivated the near-capacity audience with her dynamic stage presence and powerhouse vocals. Ditto never once let up, jumping and screaming along to each pulsing dance beat. Her enthusiasm so infectious, those in attendance could not help but go completely wild.

The Gossip began the night with “Dimestore Diamond” off 2009’s Music for Men and proceeded to serve up a decent mix of songs both new and old. By far, the biggest crowd reactions were reserved for new song “Love Long Distance” and “Your Mangled Heart,” off of 2006’s Standing in the Way of Control. Both songs had audience members off their feet, dancing and pogoing as Ditto testified from on high.

The ever-charismatic Ditto apologized to the audience for being too sick to hit the right notes, but if this was Ditto’s voice at its worst the crowd did not notice. Ditto’s southern roots seeped out of every note sung in the heavily gospel hymn-inspired “Don’t (Make Waves)” from 2003’s Movement, much to the crowd’s delight.

The Gossip brought the evening to a close a rousing rendition of the Tina Turner classic “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” although it was not the only time the Gossip sampled the work of others Friday night. After dedicating “8th Wonder” to Bikini Kill founding member Toby Vail, Ditto briefly launched into the Bikini Kill classic “Rebel Girl.” As the Gossip slowed things down during “Standing in the Way of Control,” Ditto sweetly crooned the opening verse of Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” before frantically screaming her way back to her own song.

A Gossip live show has a little something for everyone whether that may be songs infused with pulsating, dance-pop beats, songs with politically-charged lyrics or a vivacious, soulful vocalist who can belt it out like nobody’s business. Either way, at a Gossip show you’re going to dance and you’re going to like it.

Audrey Leon’s Flickr Photo Gallery from the show.