Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra at Koko

Last night I saw a thing of rare beauty and power. I saw Amanda Palmer both lead and be part of her band, the Grand Theft Orchestra, comprising Jherek Bischoff, Chad Raines and Michael McQilken. They gel, they're one unit, they're four great performers and artists in their own right. Led, of course, by Amanda Fucking Palmer.

OK, so Koko isn't one of my favourite venues - unless you're near the front of the stage or balconies, then you don't get a very good view of the stage or the performers, but the sound is fine and it's quite nice being surrounded by the red and gold baroque of what was called the Music Machine and the Camden Palace back when punk bands ruled there. The plus side is that it has a nice long bar and the bar staff are very attentive and friendly (which always helps). It also has a giant glitter ball hanging from the ceiling (which is always a good thing). But most of all it has Miss Palmer on stage.

The last time I saw Amanda there was in 2008 for the 'Who Killed Amanda Palmer' tour. Back then she went on stage by walking through the audience - or on that night, hobbling through the audience on a crutch with her foot in plaster after a car accident in Dublin. That didn't hold her back, though, it just gave the Danger Ensemble more scope for their performance art.

Last night the ticket touts were out in force and I just couldn't help but grin at the sight of them. When they turn up to gigs you know you've arrived. There was Koko with its facade all lit up with pink and purple lights blaring out into the Camden night,  and a huge queue snaking round the side of the building. I joined it with a private smile remembering when I saw Amanda years ago without having to queue.

Amanda came on stage in a kimono and general's cap to introduce the first support band, Jherek Bischoff and  a crowd-sourced string quartet to do a few of the songs from his new album.  Jherek was followed by Chad Raines and his band, The Simple Pleasure, which played some really dirty '80s synth riffs and rocked us with some pink flamingoes. They were great fun and Chad is a good frontman. I downloaded their album from Bandcamp a month or so ago and it's well worth listening to. It must be handy having your support bands led by members of your own band. Michael McQilken doesn't have a record out or a band but a record is coming out shortly, so he was given the honour of playing one of his songs during the main set. Equality for all has always been Amanda's approach to these things and praise up anyone on the bill.

After a break (and a trip to the friendly bar), on came the Grand Theft Orchestra in white suits, all nicely different but similar at the same time, along with Amanda in a slinky posh white-gold frock. They launched into 'Smile' from the new record, 'Theatre Is Evil' and stayed on stage for most of the next two hours. Amanda has moved onto a new level with a big light show and a screen filling the back of the stage with both crowd-sourced and custom made projections, spotlights following her around and great sound. This is Amanda Palmer the Rock Star and she fit the bill perfectly. Her frock even stayed on for the first few songs before falling down to reveal a black bra (that's the AFP I know and love!).

Most of the songs were from 'Theatre Is Evil' and they sound great live. We had 'Missed Me' (during which the band swap instruments) and 'Girl Anachronism' from her Dresden Dolls days and 'Astronaut' from 'WKAP', all of which sound amazing with a full band behind them, adding volume to very familiar songs. We had cover songs (including 'Careless Whisper, accompanied by a great sax player) and guest stars including Scroobius (doing 'Letter From God') and then Neil Gaiman with his Sawchestra performing 'Psycho'. We had a light show and I knew I was at a punk/rock/cabaret show.

Favourites included a really powerful 'Smile (Pictures Or It Didn't Happen)' and 'Bottomfeeder' during which Amanda crowd-surfed around the crowd, even getting close to where I was standing at the back. 'The Killing Type' sounded great live as did the lovely 'Trout Heart Replica' with Jherek's string quartet adding to the swirling feel of fish swimming hypnotically round and round as Amanda sings and tells us what she wants from the Wizard.

My favourite of the evening was 'The Bed Song', a beautiful and tragic song about the loss of communication in a loving relationship - why didn't you say something? It's a tender song performed by Amanda on her own on stage with no light show, just Amanda doing it old school.

My second favourite was her cover of Yazoo's 'In My Room' (yes, *that* song!) if only because it was so unexpected.  Complete with all the weirdness and synth-sounds, a faithful rendition with Amanda standing at the front of the stage with the projection of all the things you'd find in an '80s bedroom projected onto her and the screen behind her. I loved it but I think I was probably one of the few in the hall that recognised it. When it finished the crowd didn't seem to know whether it was a deliberate gap or the end so I started the clapping to help them realise it was over. Yes, mine were the first hands clapping and a second or two later everyone joined in.

My third favourite was a stonking version of 'Time Warp' from 'Rocky Horror' with guest star Richard O'Brien on lead vocals. Amanda sung Magenta's lines and Chad sung the Little Nell part. It was great fun, especially seeing all the middle aged people suddenly going into sweet transvestite mode and doing the dance.

It ended after 11:30pm with Amanda and the band in one of the theatre boxes at the side of the stage doing an encore of 'Want It Back', getting us to stamp out the beat on the wooden floor of Koko before gathering everyone back on stage for a final applause. On the way out I picked up a poster of Amanda's drawing about 'The Bed Song' (I saw the original at her Art Show over the summer and it's included in the GTO Art Book).

I had a lovely evening, thank you, with some great songs and sights. Amanda has quite clearly moved to another level with this album and tour. That makes me sad that hanging out after a show isn't going to be the same as it used to be but it also makes me proud of her. And she's still Amanda Fucking Palmer.

She's coming back to London in March to play the Roundhouse with GTO. The Dresden Dolls played there two nights running and recorded their live DVD there so it holds some nice memories. It was also the site of Poly Styrene's last gig so is a special place. I've already ordered tickets. Have you?