Into The Light…Banshees Nite

Event Information

Yes, it’s Siouxsie and the Banshees nite …step Into .. The Light…. Laurence Hedges will be in discussion with Tony Gleed regarding all things Sioux shaped from 1980 to 1987, as part 2 of his in-depth Banshees biography series hits the marketplace.

Into The Light is right in a way, not only a Banshees banger from the era, but also an indication of their huge popularity from fourth LP Ju-Ju onwards, as Punk melts into Goth and chart returns and big shows both multiply immensely. A fascinating discussion around the book will no doubt ensue, with questions from the floor…books will be available to buy on the night. Get a few…Christmas is round the corner!

Alongside Laurence we are very pleased to welcome to the discussion acclaimed artist and unabashed Banshees acolyte Sue Webster. Working with her then-partner of 25 years, Tim Noble, Sue rose to prominence making abstract shadow sculptures assembled from seemingly random objects. These sculptures, when lit by a single light source transformed into representational self-portraits. To make something from nothing became an important part of their DIY signature approach, influenced in part by the philosophy of British Punk.

Together with their shadow sculptures, they also took light sculpture into a different realm, creating signs which perpetually flash out messages of everlasting love, as well as hate. Other projects included taking the infamous Mole Man of Hackney’s derelict ruin and transforming it into a bespoke home and studio. Webster published her second visual biography I Was a Teenage Banshee in 2019. A Künstlerroman (artist’s coming of age novel), the book combines personal memoir with a visual narrative of her evolution as an artist, and describes how listening to Siouxsie and the Banshees helped guide her through a troubled adolescence. It follows The Folly Acres Cook Book (2014), a semi-autobiographical book which offered readers a rare glimpse into life as one half of the acclaimed artist-duo which combined somewhat abstract recipes alongside drawings, photographs, thoughts and anecdotes from the Gloucestershire smallholding that she shared with Tim Noble.

Webster’s most recent body of work Full Leather Jackets (2019-2021) continues her exploration of Siouxsie and the Banshee’s ongoing influence on her life and work. There will also be tonight a suitably Banshees inspired DJ set from We Got Killers’ Tone Trash but moreover, steel yerself for a brilliant interpretation of Siouxsie and co.’s output as tonight’s event will climax with the return of excellent Siouxsie and the Banshees homage Painted Bird, back to perform their stunning interpretation of this singular, incredible music. As they rightly say, this may be “a tribute to the music of Siouxsie and the Banshees” But It’s not about looky-likeys. “We don’t play dress-up, we just kick ass on the music.”..Ninety minutes plus of prime Siouxsie, all eras, all lineups all done to perfection. Close yer eyes and it’s them. Uncanny. And brilliant. Can’t wait!