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Beyond Fetish

Never likely to be confused with Club M or Copperface Jack’s, new phenomena such as Midnight Burlectro, Torture Garden and the Sedition Industries are adding a touch of diversity to Dublin’s night-life

Roe McDermott, 03 Nov 2010

And now for something totally different…

Generally when heading out in Ireland you have a few very distinct choices. If you’re looking for some tunes, whether to crunk or mosh to, you head to a gig or a club. Want a show with a bit more culture and theatrics? You check out the latest play. Or if you’re looking for some near-nudity and a bit of titillation, you head to Nimhneach.

But event organisers are beginning to realise that we want something more – the Celtic Tiger Cub still within us wants it all and wants it now, while the inner recessionista wants more bang for our buck. And what better way to satisfy us than to combine all three elements; music, theatrics and a little (or indeed a lot of) raunch into one crazy night? Welcome to Ireland’s alternative scene.

Kristen Kapelli is a singer and performer with Midnight Burlectro, an electro-burlesque troupe, which performed in the Thisispopbaby tent at Electric Picnic. Kristen plays the role of the singing Diva, belting out unique versions of ‘Fever’ and ‘Passengers’ from Peggy Lee and Iggy Pop, songs from Led Zeppelin and Prodigy and her trademark rendition of Electric Six’s ‘High Voltage.’

“The music reflects the whole theme of the show, it’s about pushing boundaries, empowering women and making old-school music and burlesque modern. So I take male songs and sing them as a female, putting my own interpretation on them.”

While Kapelli’s vocals are powerful and playful, they’re by no means the wildest part of the show. “Oh no, people who come just expecting a vocal performance or a dance show might be taken aback!”

Might be taken aback? More like they might need a cold shower, therapy, or both. In one act, a dancer in black lingerie is pushed into a chair, blindfolded and whipped by a dominatrix wearing only a thong and tape over her nipples, all in perfect timing to Goldfrapp’s ‘Tiptoe’. In another, burlesque performer Bella A Go Go sings Prodigy’s ‘Breathe’ with Kapelli before other dancers creep onstage and attack Kapelli with knives, seemingly killing her on stage.



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