A busty Southern belle, Beth Ditto, addressed an electric crowd at a recent Emo’s gig.

“I’m a little hoarse,” she said, apologizing. However, that hardly stopped gospel, indie, rock band Gossip from bringing it to a large crowd of antsy Austianans.

This marked the first time the 28-year-old Ditto, along with guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hanna Blilie, headlined a show in the Texas capital city. This also marked the last stop on their North American 2009 tour.

Gossip formed in the late 90’s and achieved much success in the underground music sphere. Four studio albums later, Gossip has evolved into one of the most influential and well received gospel rock bands of our generation.

The Oct. 29 show began promptly on time with an upbeat performance from Austin native Many Birthdays. The dance, punk group took an already hyped audience to a whole new level. Next followed a long series of equipment assemblage and sound checks. Then, Gossip took to the stage.

Ditto’s charming Southern hospitality certainly shined through. During the performance, a fan threw on stage a t-shirt reading “Beth.” The redheaded Ditto, of course, stopped for a quick costume change to put on the shirt.

During a crowd favorite, “Listen Up,” Ditto noticed an older-aged woman caught in the midst of a crowd brawl and stopped performing to check to see if she was okay. The older woman caught her breath, nodded to Ditto, and play resumed.

“Gossip put on a great performance,” freshman Shelby Alexander said. “Everything was very positive. It was definitely an amazing experience.”

Much of the setlist comprised of songs off their newest album “Music for Men.” Obvious fan favorites included “Heavy Cross,” “Men in Love,” “Four Letter Word” and “Pop Goes the World.” Gossip lovers were completely spellbound by Ditto’s onstage persona.

The closing stages of the show included a surprising, but mesmerizing cover of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” Gossip topped off the utterly amazing night with a cover of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.”