They’ve clawed their way up from Hollywood’s notorious Viper Room to a place on teenagers’ walls the world over.

The Pussy Cat Dolls last tour was called Doll Domination and at last night’s brisk PCD set at the Arena, domination was still the prevailing theme.

After video backdrop showed them conquering each city in turn on the back of a roaring motorbike to a medley of their hits and they then stalked on stage to Takin’ Over the World. Nicole, the sultry squeeze of Britain’s own Lewis Hamilton was firing on all cylinders. It’s not everyone who can carry off a pair of sparkling tartan plus fours and leather boots, but she wowed.

Don’t Need a Man and Survivor branded our heroines as lipstick feminists. In Elevator and Survivor Loosen Up My Buttons they might dress, strut and caterwaul like very clean and well coordinated hookers – but sassy and classy is actually what they are explained Nicole in her sweet Southern accent. Wait A Minute had the crowd – and those particularly behind me – bursting eardrums.

The pace slowed with the soulful, Beyonce tinged Halo, a hood signalling the change in mood. Sung solo the song showcased the strength and versatility of Nicole’s voice. It was a real surprise. An interlude on their history emphasised their burlesque dance act roots – but the singing is just as good.

Nicole took time off from singing duties to ram home that anything bendy her backing dancers can do she can do better. What disappointed slightly was the lack of Arena dramatics, other than their eye-popping outfits. With a totally unadorned stage apart from a pile of towels and bottle of water behind them, the show sometimes resembled a particularly sparkly aerobics class.

They wheeled out the big hitters as an encore, including Don't Cha and the insistent When I Grow Up. But the joyful Slumdog Millionaire song Jai Ho got the most rapturous reaction, and came as a welcome contrast to the in ya face attitude of earlier stuff.

It wasn’t an all conquering show but the Pussy Cat Dolls still have us hooked.