I first saw Dresden Dolls late at night at a show in New York, and that night their show included a troupe of dancing girls and a naked woman lying on a bed of nails - real burlesque cabaret show. So, how will they come across at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, in a huge tent, and in broad daylight?

Some of the crowd looks very bemused, but that's the nature of Dresden Dolls - people either love the theatrical aspect of it all, or they are completely confused! But, love them or hate them, both Brian (drums) and Amanda (lead vocals, piano) are incredibly accomplished musicians, and their Brechtian punk cabaret has many firm fans here in the UK, ever since they started touring here.

My personal favourite today is 'Coin-Operated Boy' which has some of the indie lads fleeing for the exit, leaving us devotees to enjoy Amanda's strident (and at times almost histrionic) vocals.

Anne Earl - BBC Reading

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