Creativity took centre stage last week as Wayzgoose and DH1 Records joined forces to host an evening ‘All About Art’. With limited opportunities to showcase the artistic talent here at Durham University, this event was a refreshing reminder of all the untapped creativity within that is out there! From slam poetry to art exhibitions and live music, there was truly something for everyone.
The evening began with a cosy, immersive experience downstairs. In the Holy GrAle’s warmly lit cellar, members of the DUPoetry society (Theodore Forcer, Lyra Button, Ivan Deverick, Heather Chapman, Grace Ellis and Freya Cook) captivated the audience with their slam poetry, where they found something extraordinary in the ordinary. From musings on the moon to the process of dying your hair, their words painted vivid pictures. This intimate setting provided a sensory experience as you could hear the hum of Oli Tranter’s remixes upstairs. (Check out Oli Tranter’s SoundCloud here: https://on.soundcloud.com/We1m5tgpiq9MEnGj7!)
Surrounding the audience was an impressive art exhibition provided by Wayzgoose’s talented artists. Grace Gibbons showcased work inspired by surrealism, pop art and expressionism, drawing influence from masters like Johnson Tsang, Van Gogh, Picasso and Minjae Lee. Sophia Osborn presented pieces that explored the subtleties of human anatomy, and the emotions expressed through posture and gesture, using a range of mediums from acrylics to fine liners. Rohan Scott, Ruby Slinger and Lottie Davey exhibited intricate lino prints, celebrating the fluid beauty of aquatic life and water’s dynamism. The beginning of the event was all about visual art and poetry and then it was time for the music to take the spotlight….
Upstairs, the audience was drawn in by Carys Plews’ enchanting voice. This was Carys’s debut gig, but her performance certainly wasn’t amateur. She is an immensely talented musician, self-taught on vocals, piano, ukulele and guitar, saying: ‘I have sung ever since I could talk’! Her original song about her idea of the perfect relationship, dedicated to someone in the crowd, was both heartfelt and captivating. She also sang beautiful covers: ‘La Vie en Rose’ was particularly memorable as you could have heard a pin drop. Her music, inspired by songwriters like Lana del Rey, Amy Winehouse and Fiona Apple, explored themes of love, womanhood and the emotional roller-coaster they bring. Carys embodied everything that this event was about as her songs stemmed from the lyrics of her poetry.
The energy shifted as the five-piece indie-pop band The Ivies turned the venue into a lively dancefloor. They performed some covers of beloved favourites that were refreshingly different to the well-known Jimmy’s playlist! They played their full EP ‘Hardly My Fault,’ and debut single ‘Sick For A Week,’ which was BBC Introducing North East Track of the Week and featured on Purple Radio’s Newsfeed last week. They also played a few unreleased songs that they are in the process of recording. In terms of sound, they take inspiration from Billie Eilish, The Backseat Lovers, Peach Pit and Wolf Alice. Their music resonated with personal experiences, with Alice Bird’s heartfelt lyrics reflecting on mental health. The crowd couldn’t get enough, dancing and laughing with friends – the perfect tonic for the summative season.
To close the evening, DJ Luke Hesseltine played a deep jazz house set inspired by the likes of ANOTR, Bellaire and Berlioz. He later moved into a higher energy groovy set, tapping into Latin, Afro and Piano house genres which transported us far from the snowy night outside. His set featured occasional UKG remixes, old-school Disco classics and tracks from icons like Armand van Helden and MPH.
The Holy GraAle transformed multiple times over the course of the evening – from a pub to a spoken word haven, an art gallery, a concert venue, and finally, a place to unwind.
This unforgettable night was just the beginning. There’s plenty more where that came from – keep your eyes peeled for our next event!
Follow on Instagram:
@Carysplews
@lukeheseltine_
@ivies_band
@wayzgoosemagazine
@dh1records
@durhampoetrysociety
