OFF Festival 2012: Shangaan Electro

The producer sat behind the decks during Shaangan Electro’s OFF festival set tells us as soon as he takes the stage that it is his goal to reach 189 bpm by the end of the South African band’s set. The prospect of reaching a speed that almost dips its toes in gabba territory is one that excites, but also makes me feel slightly queasy. At any rate, the entire audience at the Experimental Stage is behind the goal, with the crowd’s foot-stomping and hollering raucous enough to make the stage’s wooden floor and the speakers shake. The band comprises four dancers (two male and two female), all dressed in brightly coloured clothes, with the men sporting very fetching sparkly masks. Are we in a field in Southern Poland or a crowded festival float in Rio?