Self-described “circus rock” outfit Papa Shango are less a traditional rock and roll band and more a full-throttle assault on the senses. They’re romping into The Cluny in Newcastle this July.

Formed with the explicit goal of redefining the boundaries of performance music, Papa Shango has built a reputation for live shows that border on total anarchy. A typical set might feature ten members on stage – including Papa Rob in a gravity-defying top hat and the Pappettes riding hobby horses – while band members charge through the audience alongside a man in a banana suit. This commitment to the bit is relentless; between songs, you might witness an impromptu onstage haircut or the band having to restart the power during a bridge. What makes them a truly thrilling proposition, however, is that the musicianship is just as tight as the costumes are wild. Beneath the confetti and chaos lies a sophisticated sonic palette that ranges from deliciously huge 70s funk and spiky New Wave to rap-rock and even German industrial tributes. They offer a rare escape into a world where anything and everything is fair game as long as it’s fun. By the time the final spray of confetti hits the floor, you aren't just a spectator; you've been "Shango'd". GM

Papa Shango, Saturday 25 July, The Cluny, Newcastle, 7.30pm, £5-£12.50, thecluny.com