The Spaghetti Western Orchestra (SkinnyFest3)

When a show described as orchestral begins with a man snapping a stick with gusto into the microphone poised in front of him, you know you are in for something a little different. Sound effects and comic dialogue combine with musical arrangements to capture tunes from a range of spaghetti western film scores. Massive percussion, double bass, keys and horns displays the talented musicality of the group, though the comedy gets repetitive at times. The performance also incorporates a plethora of wacky improvised instruments which is what makes this most entertaining and this merging of mad instrumentation and refined orchestral arrangements is quite impressive. From playing the musical saw, implementing a beer bottle blowing band and introducing the crowd to the homemade instrument known as the tin-string these Aussie performers present a tight show coupled with comic theatre and the ability to leave any audience in fits. (Naomi Velaphi)