SKINNYFEST2: My Robot Friend @ Cabaret Voltaire, Aug 6

New York's finest, My Robot Friend (aka. Howard Robot), opened his show dressed as a demented techno Edward Scissorhands, setting an unusual standard for this spectacular visual extravaganza. It's not often you get to see a technicolour robot jerking off to cyber-electronica. Internationally known for his manic, multimedia live shows tonight he proved why he has gained such a renowned reputation - using all manner of visual tricks, lights and cameras to work the audience, even venturing into the ecstatic crowd with his video camera and filming wildly grinning fans up close and personal for his projections onto the wall screen. Filled with humour and perfectly formed synthetic pop tunes, tonight's show displayed My Robot Friend's crazed plastic personality to perfection. Jumping around the stage like an insane mad hatter, with neon-glowing torso and combustible body parts, this strange and intriguing robot has certainly gained our friendship. [Karen Taggart]