Aaahhhh! The Garden of Unearthly Delights. It’s back again to excite and amaze us as part of The Fringe Festival. This year the Garden’s opening night fell a full week before the frivolity of Fringe’s official opening. Located in the East Parklands at the end of Rundle Street, you can hardly miss it with its Vaudeville entrance, Speigeltent, Ferris Wheel, carousel, colourful lights and of course the big top tent that is the Umbrella Revolution. It won’t set you back any pennies to enter and there is always bound to be something entertaining going on.

This evening’s fare, performing on a temporary open air stage, included sword swallowing by The Space Cowboy (from A Happy Sideshow) and later some incredible percussion and finally live electronic dance mayhem. Ben Walsh from The Bird joined three other percussionists on four different types of drums playing under the name of SKIN, whilst a fireworks display erupted from amongst the trees. It was spectacular. Sitting on the grass, listening to sensational drumming and watching the ebb and flow of colours in the sky on a deliciously warm summer night was a perfect prelude to the coming of the Fringe… and Adelaide’s busiest season for nightlife.

Originally a two piece outfit, from Sydney, comprising drums and keyboards/samplers, The Bird nowadays are joined by two more regulars, on tabla and bass. This night’s set began with slower, more ethereal music- or as my mate described it “more trippy” music. They then progressed to the faster, more characteristic drum and bass beats with sections of the upright slap bass texturing the sound. We were also taken through the genres of dub and borderline reggae music styles. The tabla added another layer of interest to the already franetic resonances. The Bird was well received by this already hyped-up crowd. Experiencing a collective natural high, they didn’t need much encouragement to become a seething mass of writhing, dancing bodies. The mood seemed contagious as everyone became inclined to move closer to the stage and join the moving sea of people.

It doesn’t matter what music you are in to, you should catch The Bird in your lifetime. If you have a pulse I’m sure The Bird could escalate it. Their energy is infectious, and their diverse approach to live electronic music will please any music lover with an open mind. Bring on the Fringe!