Music > Live Reviews

Sisters of Silents - Featuring VanityFair, Big Teeth, & Milly Hurst

Octagon Chapel

03/06/19

This event is billed as “an evening of archive film and live music made by women” and is part of Changing Times, “a four-year nationwide programme of screen heritage activity led by the Film Audience Network”. Not only is this the first time that I have been to a music event at this - stunning - venue, it is the first time that I have seen any of these artists.

First up is local singer-songwriter MILLY HURST. Given that she is arguably the best known of tonight’s performers, it is a little surprising that she is opening proceedings. I have heard good things about Hurst but have not managed to see her live before tonight. Given the setting and that Hurst is effectively soundtracking three films - Abroad In Wales, Scotch Fisher Girls In Yarmouth and The Loch, I suspect that this does not represent the usual live experience. The length of the set may be a touch disappointing but the quality of the music, the strength of the vocals and the glorious finger-picked acoustic guitar make up for that and I will certainly be seeing Hurst again. 

Next up is BUG TEETH, another artist that I have heard a lot of good things about. The solo project of Poppy Johnson combines electronics and electric guitar to make music that is somehow melancholy and up-lifting. There are hints of the likes of Ride, Explosions In The Sky and early Mogwai’s more restrained moments. Add in Johnson’s vocals and this is utterly beguiling. The performance is not as closely tied to the films - three animated, one time lapse and two documentaries - as that by Milly Hurst, but that is a minor point. Anyone who likes the pop to be dreamy but emotional should check out Bug Teeth now, 

Finally, we have VANITY FAIRY. Another solo project, this time of Daisy Capri. To say I have not seen her before is not entirely true. I have not seen Vanity Fairy before but I caught Capri several times when she was performing as Daisy Victoria. The music of Daisy Victoria was big rock, in the style of Nick Cave and PJ Harvey. Vanity Fairy represents an unexpected left turn into disco and artpop. The stage moves take their cues from the likes of Kate Bush, early Bowie (or, perhaps, his one time mentor, Lindsay Kemp) and Bjork. It is certainly different to Daisy Victoria but certainly no less interesting and, perhaps, more original. Again, the performance does not gel with the films in the same way as Milly Hurst’s but this is still a great introduction to a new act. 

If I have any complaint - other than the length of Hurst’s performance, which may be down to her being both one of the organisers and one of the performers - it is the size of the screen. Of course, that may be a result of the restrictions of the venue but a bigger screen would be most welcome. Beyond that, this has been a cracking evening showcasing three great local performers and some interesting, amusing and unusual film making. Here’s to the next one.