Conchords flying high

Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie's live shows are getting rave reviews in the United States. Photo / Ollie Dale

The Conchords are flying high in the United States, performing to rave reviews on their two-month tour - and shrugging off the occasional heckler.

Internet reviews and blog sites are raving about Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement's live performances, which have attracted thousands of Flight of the Conchords fans to some of America's biggest venues.

Since the tour began on April 6, the duo have packed out the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Constitution Hall in Washington and New York's famous Radio City Hall. Reviewers have called them "amazing performers" with "impeccable comedic timing".

Their onstage antics, which include dressing up as robots and interacting with hecklers, have proved a winner with the crowds, who don't even seem to mind when the duo stuff up.

An Entertainment Weekly online review said McKenzie accidentally knocked over and destroyed a toy piano while performing the electro jam Too Many D**ks on the Dancefloor.

"We spared no expense on tiny pianos," joked Clement.

The formula for their show - play a song, talk a little, play another song - is simple but effective.

The only problem at any of the gigs appeared to come from hecklers, who threw jellybeans and eye patches onstage at one venue.

In New York, one female audience member tried conversation with the boys from the front row.

Jemaine didn't skip a beat, comparing her to "an angry muppet", while Bret playfully advised her that "this isn't the time for you to have a conversation with us".

Reviewers have given the start of the tour five stars. Actress Kristin Schaal who plays Mel, the duo's only fan on the TV show, opens for the Conchords with stand-up comedy and short one-woman plays.

The Conchords' longtime friend, Nigel Collins, also joins them on stage to play the cello.

The tour, which ties in with the release of their second album, continues until May 25 and will see them travelling through Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Canada.