Gogol Bordello at the Leadmill, Sheffield, 18th December

It must be tiring to be Gogol Bordello. As the crowd surge towards the stage there's nothing more exhilarating than the band themselves barely taking a moment for a gulp of air as they reel around the stage.

From the first note we're whisked into a packed frenzy where there are no breaks, no solo sets and a little like their recorded material, they barely give themselves a break. Each song is delivered in its' fast paced state, from 'Not a Crime' to 'American Wedding' making 'Start Wearing Purple' tame in comparison. Lead singer Eugene Hutz lives up to his stereotype, brandishing a pirate hat, stripped down to the waist as he bounds around the stage, only up staged by two dancing girls who are called at various opportunities to glare at the audience.

It's a little like a travelling circus, and as Eugene shouts "Hello South Sheffield!" To some quizzical looks, the tour has been taking its' toll. Tonight the band play for over two hours and it's a wonder if they ever relax, but it makes one hell of a show for the audience who use every note played as an opportunity to act like wild animals.

There are dips of course and one thing the live experience does highlight is the stereotypical nature of the group. Each song quickly moulds into one and after an hour you're so exhausted you just want to collapse, despite your feet having other ideas. You see the thing is, you simply can't ignore Gogol Bordello. As Eugene Hutz bounds around the stage it's clear they were always unlikely superstars, but tonight they're gypsy punk Gods.