Gogol Bordello / Mariachi El Bronx

Drop the charges, start wearing purple and oil up that accordion... Our favourite gypsy punk loving migrant misfits are back and rocking with fifth studio album 'Trans Continental Hustle'. A delectable fusion of East meets West is the plat du jour with a new rhythm section (Ethiopian Thomas Gobena taking over on bass duties) and an injection of Latin flavour thrown into the Romany mix for good measure (an homage to Eugene Hutz being Brazil's latest gringo in residence). This is the nine-piece's first outing since 2007's critically acclaimed 'Super Taranta!' and Rick Rubin is overseeing proceedings as the producer of choice. As a bloke known for his more stripped down arrangements, the cleaner, polished sound is at odds with the band's usual irrepressible energy. The question is will it translate well on the live stage?

Well, the excitement is palpable here at the Birmingham Academy tonight as the crowd eagerly await their beloved Balkans to take the stage. Mariachi El Bronx are a fitting choice for support with their Hispanic fiesta. Describing the alter ego of hardcore punk rockers The Bronx as "the best thing I've ever done" Matt Caughthran is a commanding frontman and the gathered onlookers respond well to the likes of 'Cell Mates' and the jaunty 'Quinceniera'.

It's roughly just after 9pm. Volume levels are rising, sweat is flowing (along with beer) and articles of clothing are flying as well as a fair few glasses of piss. Chants of "Gogol! Gogol! Gogol!" are deafening and the band storm the stage to a cacophony of cheers and fist pumping. Although the main focus of the band this evening is to showcase the new material from 'Trans Continental Hustle', stomping oldies such as 'Not a Crime' and 'Wonderlust King' stand up well in comparison. Latest single 'Pala Tute' incites a mass singalong. By the closing strains of 'My Companjuera', Hutz has already lost his shirt. Swigging from a bottle of a premium strength spirit, he is whirling around laying waste to the stage like a dervish. His energy is infectious and boundless. Set closer 'Start Wearing Purple' raises the roof and has every single person from the front to the back of the venue dancing. The inevitable encore follows after chants of "One more tune!" and we are treated to a rousing acoustic version of 'Alcohol' which results in hundreds of glasses being raised aloft in celebration.

What is truly remarkable about the GB experience tonight is the audience demographic. Emo kids, goths, families, trendies, die hard metallers- you name it, all are present and correct. Just as the second encore is coming to a rapturous end, a middle aged couple jig merrily past us with their arms around each other sweating and beaming like naughty schoolchildren. That is the definitive moment of the night. It takes an extraordinary band to give validity to the notion that music really can transcend boundaries. Gogol Bordello are that band.

FUTURE GIGS

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