Charli's brat summer

Pop powerhouse shows early promise in 2009 performance

-  ANDY LINES

A HANDFUL of bemused locals make up the audience and her moves are a tad too racy for the some of the younger onlookers... but there is no disguising the teen performer's star potential.

Footage of Charli XCX playing at a small family-friendly festival in her home town has emerged - and it shows her brimming with the energy and confidence that would transform her into a pop superstar.

Young journalist James Burton captured her 2009 performance on a camcorder that took videotapes.

Reflecting on that unforgettable set on a playing field in Bishop's Stort-ford, Hertfordshire, James, 41, said: "She bounded on in this bizarre eye-catching outfit of striped stockings and a black leotard.

She had a neon green scarf and dyed pink hair with a giant plastic cake in it.

Her set came early in the day so she was performing to this small crowd with lots of older and rather baffled spectators.