It’s a cold, drizzly night and although not everyone is inclined to go out in this miserable, non-Queensland weather, the historic Old Museum still comes alive with a bang as it hosts the Brisbane instalment of the notorious, uproarious and just plain exciting interstate revue known as the Bohemian Masquerade Ball.
Despite Halloween being three weeks away, tonight is a total costume galore, with colourful carnies, pirates, burlesque dancers and assorted femme fatales and merry freaks emerging from seemingly every door and corner. Definitely the event’s biggest draw despite a solid range of entertainment on offer – DJs, circus performers – the musical program kicks off with a set by the delightful weirdy-beardy Martin Martini (of Melbourne’s now-defunct Martin Martini & The Bone Orchestra), who sits at an electric piano and bellows out tunes about failures, ugly men and writing letters to Indiana Jones like a junkyard Randy Newman.
Also hailing from the Grim City, the rockabilly-styled Kira Puru & The Bruise begin with a slow, sinister number that could be a loving tribute to David Lynch film soundtracks, but then erupt in an explosion of gutbucket soul vocals, echo-drenched guitar, lumberjack bass and blitzing drums, quickly filling the floor. This reviewer so impressed he manages to score a free second round of beer after he ventures outside the room.
This being a bohemian-friendly event, the intermissions become showcases for the burlesque artists like the bodacious local La Viola Vixen, hula hoop-twirling Tigerlil and Melbourne’s stunning Frankie Valentine – cue a flurry of exposed skin, lace, corsets and pasties (nipple tassles).
Regulars on the Brisbane art circuit for years, Ghostboy With Golden Virtue amp up their extravagant and theatrics (the shaven-headed, trademark black lipstick and skirt-wearing frontman memorably proclaiming “ I’ll be the butcher and you’ll be the steak! ” at one point)
with Jacques Brel’s angst-ridden virginity loss drama Next. The crowd loves them and they love the crowd right back, with the fevered dancing getting even more intense with every vaudeville or cabaret-leaning number.
As the night’s shenanigans reach an apex, the incredible Bluesfest-slaying Novocastrians
Mojo Juju & The Snake Oil Merchants
step up and blow all and sundry away in a complete ballroom blitz. The diminutive frontwoman Mojo Juju sings like Sharon Jones and plays a mean guitar as the band mix
Cuban, Mediterranean and gypsy rhythms, blazing horns with a no-off-button performing attitude in what proves to the ball’s highlight.
The Brunswick folk-rock scene heavyweights and seasoned Woodford favourites
Barons Of Tang
pick up where Mojo Juju have left off, causing many a blister with their potent sonic borsch that counts polka, klezmer, Balkan wedding music, pirate-rock and at least another dozen genres. The combo’s frenzied 2/4 rumble is so infectious it automatically makes them the logical support for Gogol Bordello next time the New York powerhouse tour Australia.
Once the live music is over, the party goes on but we’re sadly too tired to help the punters obliterate the floor any further.
Boho Ball, we salute you with our ol’ gypsy beer and cider.
