We ponder this question as 50 dressed-up drummers and percussionists troop past. Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Carnivalesque. Take one part club, mix with two parts gig, add a twist of sideshow theatrics, shake it all up in a Burlesque bodice and pour gently over a crowd that’s blown its weekend allowance in the Fancy Dress shop.

We’re at the Barfly. It’s the start of a sweaty bank holiday in May. The city is alive with the buzz of the Fringe and there’s a lovely young lady making sparks fly from her groin. All the ingredients to a cracking night out.

First up is Barulho, a 30-piece outfit that does a neat line in pulsing Samba rhythms. Whistles, percussion, bloody big drums and plenty of booty shaking – on the stage at least.

An interlude involving a PVC catsuit an axle grinder and sparks a-plenty before the skank happy horns of Fanfara bring the second band session of the evening. Another interlude before both bands and the best part of 50 people bring the not inconsiderable noise.

Can clubbing be a spectator sport? The answer can be found when more happens on stage than the dancefloor. At a night like Carnivalesque the hands in the air normally have drumsticks attached – but when so many club nights threaten to drown in four to the floor monotony, we’ll happily reach for the masquerade mask.

Carnivalesque

Barfly

First Friday of the month

http://www.carnivalesque.co.uk/