Review: From The Glasshouse The Sunflower Thieves

From The Glasshouse 26th September 2024

Invited| Review by V.Brewster

Photos: Marie Harkness

It’s not often that a duo’s music feels both stripped bare and utterly rich at the same time, but Leeds-based outfit Sunflower Thieves manage this balance with an effortless grace. Performed in a delicate, acoustic setting, may have felt to them “naked without the band,” as Amy Illingworth put it, but this exposure lent the music an intimacy that is rare in today’s crowded soundscape. Playing as they wrote them – just Amy and her childhood friend Lily Sturt-Bolshaw – felt not only personal but poignant.

The weight of their words was felt throughout the set, but none more so than during Driving Lessons – a song laced with the quiet angst of navigating through emotional terrain. There’s a feeling of inevitability in the song, as they sang, “I keep my head buried, I’m okay with living in the dark.” Amy’s raw delivery fused effortlessly with Lily’s slightly softer tones, creating a rich emotional palette that enveloped the crowd.

The pair introduced Same Blood with an explanation that it was written for one another, a tribute to their lifelong friendship. It’s Amy’s current favourite track to perform live, as it allows them to reflect on their journey together – a reflection that was palpable during the performance. The way they sang to each other, the in-unison vocals (a rare occurrence for the duo), felt like a moment of celebration, not just for them but for everyone in the room. Amy noted afterward that Same Blood is the one track that really gets the crowd moving when they play with their full band, but even in this stripped-down version, it resonated deeply.

After the show, I had the chance to speak with Amy about the duo’s songwriting process. She explained that their writing sessions are almost like “a little therapy session,” where one of them will bring the skeleton of a verse, and they’ll sit down together to chat through the concept. This method, of course, speaks to their deep connection – friendship being the core of everything they do. Once they’ve explored what the song is meant to say, they finish it together.

I was particularly drawn to Sirens, a track that stood out for its unexpected use of a muted horn synth. I had to ask about it, and Amy explained that they stumbled across the sound by accident while writing during lockdown with friends. But it fit perfectly within the track, an odd yet satisfying choice that shows how the duo isn’t afraid to experiment within their delicate, acoustic framework.

Throughout the night, they would occasionally drop all instruments and let their voices soar a cappella, bringing the audience to a hush so deep that you could hear a pin drop. It’s a testament to both the respect they command and the deep emotional resonance they bring to every note they sing.
What stood out most about Sunflower Thieves wasn’t just their songwriting but their harmonies.
Typically arranged in thirds or fourths, their voices blended into polyphonic melodies that swam around each other, creating a sound that was both intricately layered and perfectly in sync. It’s a rare and captivating experience to hear two distinctive voices entwine so seamlessly, each note carrying the weight of their shared history.

Sunflower Thieves’ second EP, Same Blood, is set for release on October 30th. If tonight’s performance was anything to go by, it’s going to be an emotional, harmony-laden triumph.