Headliners: Faerground Accidents

Faerground Accidents kickstart a weekend of musical delight

This weekend Hastings punters really are spoiled. On Friday you get a choice of Verdi’s Il Trovatore at the White Rock Theatre and if that doesn’t suit, there’s Faerground Accidents at the Masonic Hall. Saturday offers Oudolin at Bookbusters at 5.30, The Aftershave at Whistle Trago at 6, and at 7.30, Bosco Rogers will be French-kissing in the UK down The Dragon Bar – plus – am I dreaming or are The Fall really playing St Mary in the Castle? HOT’s Erica Smith gets tempted by a musical binge.

There is always music on offer in this wonderful town of ours, but sometimes seeing the same old local bands hammer out the same old cover versions down the pub can make a girl yearn for something more to caress her ears. I couldn’t help but be excited when the Spoilt Girls’ manifesto plomped into my Facebook notifications. I needed to find out more…

The Spoilt Girls are Zoe Nandie Daniels and Sarah Nuttall – you might know them from serving you a well-pulled pint at The Crown Pub, and that’s only the start of their talents. These women are zesty and they want to share their joie de vivre and make all of our lives zingier too!

Buffalo Songbook: De La Soul with banjo...

“The Spoilt Girls 1066 mission is simple: to make us even more spoiled for choice in Hastings and St Leonard’s than we already are. We have a rich history of live music, a vibrant current local scene, brilliant songwriters lurking in pub kitchens and retired legends hiding away in the hills. Does that make it…? Yes, it’s the Los Angeles of East Sussex! The difference being we have a strong community that isn’t incentivised by money and power but is inspired by creativity, empathy and the prospect of a sweet night out.”

This is why they’ve decided to reward lucky old us with fresh sounds! They’ve found a lovely bunch of bands from near and far to play at the Masonic Hall on Friday night, with Susan Diamond MC-ing and guest DJs ‘Sheila’s Take A Bow’ providing slabs of vinyl punk/glam/electro/new wave/indie.

“We cordially request that you reach into your pockets for £8 to support us in bringing Faerground Accidents from Sheffield and Buffalo Songbook from London supported by local legends Thee Jezebels to play for your pleasure on 24 April at the Masonic Hall. If we can sell out this concert, it will be a step towards getting Hastings back on the national tour circuit. You know they’ll all move here eventually anyway…”

I timidly visited the Spoilt Girls 1066 Facebook page to check out the song clips – I love it when people are enthusiastic about bringing music to our town, but there’s always a worry that it won’t rock my boat. No need to worry about Faerground Accidents, though – nobody can object to a singer who looks like they’ve taken their make up tips from Gaggle and sings funny, dark lyrics with a voice somewhere between Bowie and Morrissey. The rest of the band are not outshone by their colourful frontperson. They play tight post-punk and you can see how much they love being on stage. Sheffield has a strong pedigree of lyrical pop bands and Faerground Accidents are the latest champions. Perfect 6Music pop stars.

Zoe and Sarah have built up a great bill with local band Thee Jezebels and London-based Buffalo Songbook supporting the main act. Over the years, The Masonic Hall has been the venue for many a weird and wonderful night out. Friday night is not a night to stay at home!

Faerground Accidents, Buffalo Songbook and Thee Jezebels
at The Masonic Hall, East Ascent, St Leonards on Sea. 8pm start.
Advance tickets from The Crown (Old Town), Susan Diamond (St Leonards)
or Music’s Not Dead (Bexhill).
Tickets are £8 – or go with a friend and get the Mate’s Rate £15 for 2 tickets.
Tickets may be available on the door, but this might be one to buy in advance!

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