Just how hot is the Philly singer Santogold? At least toasty enough to get away with sending on a DJ for a warm-up set 20 minutes after she was due on stage, then performing for little more than half an hour. The feisty lady usually described as a poppy M.I.A. was more Missy Elliott in her timekeeping and, as it turned out, in several of her songs.

Bounding on between a pair of backing singers in shiny jackets and sunglasses, who doubled as robotic dancers, the thirtysomething Santogold (real name Santi White) delivered the opening track You’ll Find a Way in a voice that verged on a yelp. She sounded more powerful on the former single L.E.S. Artistes, for which a full five-piece band arrived, but the electro-pop anthem lacked its usual edge. Indeed, that Santogold began her career in a punk band was initially less evident than that she has since written for the likes of Lily Allen and Ashlee Simpson.

Still, she got full marks for style. In a pair of gold shorts and matching shoes, bomber jacket and baseball hat, often striking the same provocative poses as her dancers, she never looked less than as cool as the trendy crowd expected. Say Aha was a fun, fast-paced, party hip-hop track as inventive as early Missy. There was a taste of Neneh Cherry in there too and, yes, a diet M.I.A. on Unstoppable, a rumbling mix of indie, reggae and electroclash.

Santogold was less successful trying to rock, at least until she attempted My Superman and summoned the spectre of Siouxsie Sioux on the slow, sexy, bass-driven song. Just as good was an encore of the album highlight, Creator, the missing link between Basement Jaxx and Groove Armada. Then, in a flurry of confetti, Santogold was gone.

Santogold plays Bestival, Isle of Wight, tonight and Becks Fusion Festival, Manchester, tomorrow

Editor's choice

• Vote for the Breakthrough Award winner
• David Tennant back as Hamlet after back surgery
• Matt Smith is the new Dr Who