As much performance artists as they are musicians, Fischerspooner set out to create elaborate live performances from the off. Spectacular they may have been, but for most, the expensive overdramatics of what were essentially lip-synched shows were too much to stomach. It was telling when, in 2005, Fischerspooner returned to the UK live scene for a show at London's Scala that was so stripped of art and band-focused that they were largely unrecognisable.

So for Smirnoff (the sponsors of the evening's Electric Cabaret event) to book the band for their launch event is a brave, albeit shrewd, move. As the cabaret and burlesque scene booms, it was guaranteed that, particularly in such a grand venue as Koko, Fischerspooner would fit in perfectly. Even your everyday punter was invited to be part of the magic with free boas, hats and fancy headgear distributed upon arrival and cocktails flowing aplenty as human beatboxers, men inside balloons and can-can girls (all hosted by the very lovely Annie Mac) kept the waiting crowd entertained.

Having opened with Wire cover The 15th, the party really started when a canon full of red glitter tape was launched into the audience during Sweetness. Never one to skimp on outfits Casey appeared resplendent in a military style jacket, matching 3/4 length pants and knee-high boots, accompanied by ethereal dancers and the rest of the band. Descending into Madonna-esque levels of costume changes (and using instrumentals such as Megacolon to neatly cover them) this was only the first of four outfits for an hour performance, which was to include a harlequin suit and a fabulous red, glittery coat.

While the assembled masses went crazy for the drum-beat heavy Happy and the David Byrne-scribed lyrics of Get Confused, it was the oft-overlooked We Need A War that made the most impression. It may always be fun to wrongly sing "we need a war of knickers" during the chorus, but it was here that the strong band and stunning theatrical elements of Fischerspooner's work came together most effectively. Introducing Emerge with "This is known as selling out," their albatross was cut off in its peak (later to return as an encore), before continuing into sound-a-like new song Unrealistic.

A final cannon of glitter finishes the show, and while it might be the Scissor Sisters who are riding high in the charts, the audience surely can't help but realise it's these original underground New York scenesters who wrote the book on flamboyant, mesmerising live shows.

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