Ting Tings Strut for Chicago's Fashionistas

The Ting Tings frontwoman Katie White / Photo by Laura Gray

Fresh on the heels of SXSW, Manchester’s newest Columbia signees the Ting Tings were all spunk-cheer last night (March 20) during a gig for budding fashion entrepreneurs in Chicago's warehouse district. As videos illustrating select designers' garments rolled, the Ting Tings commandeered an evening of brand-name chic and beat-infused networking.

Mouthpiece Katie White maintained a high level of energy throughout the six-tune gig, grinding along to breakout single "Great DJ" (stream it here) cuing sticksman Jules De Martino into the beat and chorus with her every move. With wide-eyes and smiles, the crowd was relatively tame during the set of tracks off forthcoming debut We Started Nothing, save a drum-less rendition of "Traffic Light," which saw De Martino lash out at a pocket of chatterers: "Oi! Shut the fuck up! We’ve got someone singing here." From there, however, the Ting Tings reclaimed the helm, White rambunctiously smacking the cowbell on sass-rap closer "That’s Not My Name," rattling the band’s duct tape insignia off the bass drum on to the floor. No worries White, we’ll remember your name.

We asked: The packaging for the Ting Tings' first single embodies DIY ethics, utilizing Gaffer's tape and handwritten labels, and is a cheap and inventive yet functional attention grabber. If you were to put out an album, and construct the packing yourself, what would you package it in?

Name: Stephanie Niedospial
Age: 22
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Fashion/Design
"A cloth-sleeve holder with a custom design for each one, like beads, lace, and vintage buttons."

Name:Johnny Dodkin
Age: 31
Hometown: London
Occupation: Roadie
"Pieces of Hustler magazine and dress it up with feathers."

Name: Sara Czosnyka
Age: 25
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Milliner (hat maker)
"I’d want to dip it in something. I’d probably take a traditional thing and dip it in liquid latex. It’s a hot medium and really tactile. You can peel it off and stretch it. It’s a world of fun."