Gypsy Kings
Technical problems on the NME/Radio 1 stage mean Gogol Bordello are running a good 25 minutes behind schedule so by the time they take the stage the crowd are more than ready for them.
You really can't argue with the bands own description of their music as Gypsy Punk, that says it all really. It's unique and it's different but in the early part of the set tonight the songs aren't that great, at times it's hard to differentiate between them as many feature the same off beat accordion and fiddle parts.
When the band cut loose on the faster songs though it's a whole different ball game. When the female members of the band arrive on stage the whole performance is just brilliant. With half choreographed dance routines the girls go absolutely wild, it's thoroughly compelling to watch and it whips the crowd into a frenzy. There's plenty of dancing going on throughout the tent and once the band get the crowd going they never let them stop.
You're not likely to see another band over the weekend using a fire bucket as an instrument but that's just another example of how off the wall Gogol Bordello are. Underneath all the on stage antics though there is a solid band that can really play and some of the musicianship is quite dazzling at times. Leave your preconceptions at the door, just enjoy what's laid before you and you can't fail to have a good time with Gogol Bordello.