RARE FILM OF Charli's brat summer

Pop powerhouse shows early promise in 2009 performance

- BY ANDY LINES Chief Reporter

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, Herts, James, 41, says: "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.

"But it was impressive how that didn't stop her acting like she was headlining a massive festival rather than a small community event in a school field.