The Great Vashti Bunyan

Vashti Bunyan at St. George’s Hall, Bristol

This was tingles down spine territory. Vashti and her delightful band only played for 45 minutes but it was utterly gorgeous stuff, an enchanting mixture of newer songs from Lookaftering and old ‘classics’ from Just Another Diamond Day and beyond. The voice was hushed and whispered, the playing understated and dainty but the strength and quality of the songs underpinned everything. The three minute glimpses into gentle worlds and daydreams were captivating. Vashti herself was utterly shy and modest, timidly peering at the audience from behind a fringe like a coy teen despite being (you wouldn’t think it) sixty years of age. Her broad smiles when the warmest applause filled the fine hall were worth the admission price alone. Lovely.