A Spellbinding Performance
Life is a cabaret my friends, and it was certainly a surge of creativity and excitement that greeted The Roundhouse's audience last night. Far from the format of a traditional gig with vaguely plausible support acts passing time, the Dresden Dolls have planned a splendid evening of far out entertainment to which their own performance is merely the icing on the cake. After mocking comedy, plenty of moving dance and theatrics and several interesting musical interludes, compere Margaret Cho signals the beginning of the Dolls' set with a fabulous burlesque fan dance, which reveals a little too much for some, but sums up the band's free spirited enjoyment of anything and everything artistic.
Taking to the stage with 'Sex Changes' from their recent album, the band seem confident and charismatic as ever with drummer Brian Viglione teasing the audience and pulling faces at the impassioned keyboard playing of Amanda Palmer. Before the theatrical bitter spiel of second song 'Missed Me' is over we have our first guest in the form of Edward Ka-Spel, formerly of The Legendary Pink Dots who brings new creepy nuances to the lyrics in his bizarrely attire. The most notable musical guest performer is the magnificent Lene Lovich who adds her unique fluttering vocals to soaring, 'Delilah'; already a stand out track from the band's last album and now a stunning live track.
There's little improvement to be made on the band's already captivating visual performances, but tonight sees their friends hypnotising the crowds with all manners of mesmerising performances during the set. 'Gravity' takes on a new leash of life as we ponder the fate of a trapeze artist twirling from silk sheets above the stage, while the rippling keys of fragile and slightly morose tale of 'Slide' are focussed through the impromptu careening of two performers from the Zen Zen Zo theatre group, who make its appearance in a live set a rare pleasure. Of course the band add enough spontaneity of their own with brassy romp, 'Mandy Goes To Med School' transforming into 'Careless Whisper' before an impromptu drum solo with plenty of gusto. Then there are the inevitable covers; a constant staple of the band's set and always cause for much curiosity, tonight we are treated with a delightful rendition of 'Two Headed Boy' by Neutral Milk Hotel with Brian stretching his legs for some rumbustuous guitar strumming. 'Jeep Song' is a bright highlight with an army of backing singers adding "bah bahs" that get the crowd swinging and 'Shores of California' is a definite cause for hip-swinging action. In fact there's at least one song that every audience member is willing to cast off their inhibitions, throw open their arms and let go to - be it the impassioned stoicism of 'Mrs O' or the clockwork chique of 'Coin Operated Boy' - making this a cathartic experience for a band who can truly be embraced by a wide variety of people.
'Sing' brings the evening to the perfect close as all the performers join the band on stage for a curtain call and sparklers are passed through the crowd - a special treat so close to Guy Fawkes' night! It's a magical climax that really draws the audience in and calls for much vocalisation on our part as well as Amanda's own passionate cries. An encore is truly the icing on the most sumptuous and delightful cake with a fabulous cover of 'Mein Herr' and Tear For Fears' 'Mad World' before the band's catchy piece de resistance 'Girl Anachronism'. The Dresden Dolls epitomise the energy and enthusiasm that a band should invoke in an audience and the evening was a stark contrast to my last rendez vous with the band on their 'Yes, Virginia' tour earlier in the year, where the constraints of a small venue and perhaps desire to please fans, left the performance slightly formulaic, if ever such an off the wall band could be guilty of such a thing. This is the sparkling performance that this band are famed for and if you were unlucky enough to miss out, be certain to listen out for news of a DVD. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the most engaging and captivating group currently gracing our shores!