As we were squeezed into overflowing bench seats, the feeling was electric. The audience exploding into screams and applause from the moment that drummer extraordinaire Ben Walsh (The Bird) burst onto the stage. Joined by master scratch DJ Dizz1 (Wicked Beat Sound System), the fusion of kit drums and DJ beats set the tone and got the party started.

Somersaulting and back flipping into the arena, acrobats Tom Flanagan, Ben Lewis, Daniel Catlow and Shane Witt displayed incredible energy and precision. All graduates of the Flying Fruit Fly circus, the strength and skill of these guys was breathtaking. Their performance was diverse and well timed with the thumping soundtrack. From the tumbling to the aerial rig and the back flips off the giant see-saw, they put on a jaw dropping performance that was not lost on the crowd.

Beat boxing champion Tom Thumb showcased his world class talent by emulating everything from the recording of a 1920’s trumpet to the cheesy Britney Spear’s “Toxic”. His wry sense of humour and flawless ability make Tom Thumb the highlight of the Tom Tom Club. At one point he was “battling” himself, the dark and dirty drum n bass DJ verses the happy-hardcore anthems DJ with hilarious effect.

With the assistance of a loop pedal Tom Thumb layered his vocals to create a pumping track that sounded like it was coming straight off a DJ’s decks. Next up DJ Dizz1 battled Tom Thumb with Dizz1 using Tom’s vocal samples. A well placed camera allowed the audience to witness the incredible dexterity and turn table styling’s of this world renowned DJ. Dizz1 provided the perfect soundtrack for the show, taking a back seat to the action on the floor. With all this talent and testosterone it was Walsh who held things together and kept the show moving along.

He has made drumming a visual spectacle through the creation of a custom made welded circle that holds eight drums of similar size. He bangs out an incredible sound with energy and rhythms unlike anything I have seen or heard before. Closing things out with a sing along hip hop homage to the kooky 80’s instrument the ominchord, Walsh is a natural performer with charisma and versatility in spades.

Tom Tom Club is a fast paced show that is truly entertaining. They pack a lot into sixty minutes and leave the audience feeling elevated and truly satisfied. They have got the balance just right providing good clean family entertainment that is inspired by the club scene and hip-hop culture.