The Seraglio Open Stage at The Brunswick, Hove - A Review (5th November 2017)
After the wildly successful inaugural Seraglio Point Productions monthly event in September - WildeFest 2017 - everything was crossed for the first Sunday night proper in the cellar of The Brunswick in Holland Road, Hove.
Rachel Shorer is a confrontational poet about to take her material around the country on tour, but before she does so we were able to share in some of her finely observed identity odes. Rachel was introduced by now Seraglio-mainstay and de facto host Daniel Searle, who had the audience doubled up with his pinpoint perfect timing and delivery of winsome contemporary injustice and frustration.
Kindelan, aka Tommy Walnuts, was doubling up as super-Able Soundman, his skills in that department fully eclipsed by the exquisite delicacy of his finely wrought tunesmithing, just perfectly nuanced semi-falsetto and finger-plucked acoustic guitar. A change of dynamic followed, with Worthing's own Mike Garson and Wishbone Ash-affiliated Rob Woodland. Augmented on swirling lead guitar by Adam Winbolt, Woodland's tracks weave in and out of stomping prog and psychedelic territory, chasing Jimmy Page's dragon as much as an angrier Robert Wyatt's muse.
The venue was captivated by Toby Janes' south coast debut, with the songwriter's pristine 'damaged choirboy' aesthetic lending itself as much to Jeff Buckley or Chris Simmons as to Thom Yorke. A glowing spark of a talent, of the kind of purity that keeps the crowd on the edge of their seats. Ex-journalist, therapist, and First Lady of Brighton Rhiannon Georgina Daniel rounded out the night with an extended version of her and her friends' Kitsh N Sync band. Her fiddling skills are exemplary, complemented by the Swordfishtrombones-like rambunctiousness of her hearty fellows - she and her co-travellers shall return on the first Sunday in January. The Seraglio rolls ever onwards, next stop December the Third.