Frikstailers @ The Famous Spiegeltent

After being revamped last year, Festival Village is one of the best things about Sydney Festival. With DJs, lawns to sprawl out on, wine to drink, and deliciously deceiving desserts (Messina, we’re looking at you), it is a swell place to spend a balmy summer evening. Of course, the other recurring favourite is The Famous Spiegeltent, that 18th-century-style pop-up that plays host to a range of music and cabaret. Intimate and old-worldly, it is a vision of dark polished timber and glittering stained glass. It’s probably fair to say this is not where you would expect to find futuristic party-starters Frikstailers. And with a midnight kick-off, you could almost forget about the lockout laws.

Taking the stage in brightly coloured wigs and luminous white goggles, the Argentinean duo is here for a good time. Purveyors of eclecticism, they bundle elements of hip hop and reggae into an electropop package. There are strong beats and chirpy little melodies that provide a very danceable backbone, definitely more groove than bounce. It’s the perfect kind of music to summon your inner hippie and pull some creative shapes.

With remixes of the likes of Die Antwoord and Major Lazer, it’s as if these tracks have been filtered through Cumbia and dubbed up, taking on a more spaced-out and exotic feel. In fact, there’s rarely a lapse in energy. With Auto-Tuned commentary between songs, the pair holds onto otherworldly stage personas.

There’s also some pretty cool equipment onstage. Occasionally, Frikstailers slide out from behind the decks for a shredding solo on Guitar Hero controllers or some (slightly awkward) choreographed dancing. They’re also known to use Nintendo Wii controllers and Dance Dance Revolution equipment, turning the world of arcade games and kids’ consoles into something a bit more psychedelic.

All in all, these neon Martians are dedicated to putting on a good show. Their music is fresh, funky, and damn catchy.