T on the Fringe: Mark Ronson @ The Liquid Room

Don't let the singular name 'Mark Ronson' fool you. Granted, the London-born, New York-based producer/DJ/all-rounder impresario may be the brains behind tonight's recital of funked-up pop tunes, but the skinny-suited Ronson takes a background stance on guitar, while around him his MCs, vocalists, full backing band and guest stars crowd the stage. Best known for his inspired reworking of Radiohead's Just (with Ed O'Brien's approval), Ronson and band also rattle off versions of Coldplay's God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, Britney Spears's Toxic, Kanye West's Touch the Sky and Kaiser Chiefs' Oh My God, all culled from his forthcoming album, called, appropriately enough, 'Versions'. While some punters take longer to warm to the groove than others, most are won over by the time Amy Winehouse makes a surprise appearance towards the end, looking like an emaciated Russ Meyer vixen just rolled out of bed. As if to underline his urban credentials after all this indiscriminate pop pilfering, Ronson then closes with his good-times Neptunes-esque belter Ooh Wee, a suitably boisterous finale to a short but fun-filled set. (Nick Mitchell)