The Unthanks – Songs From the Shipyards
The Forum, Barrow-in-Furness – Friday October 19, 2012 
MORE of an audio-visual event than a concert, this was a magical and moving performance. With the stage in virtual darkness, a large screen showed award winning film maker Richard Fenwick’s film, tracing the history of the shipyards in 20th century Britain. The live score played by Mercury nominated folk band The Unthanks added an extra dimension.
Some of the early flickering black and white images on the film showed Barrow workers leaving Vickers shipyard and walking across the bridge in their thousands. The Unthanks are a five-piece band with piano, violin and acoustic guitar backing, but all members singing vocal harmonies.
Much of the film was set in the band’s North-East homeland, but the chronological nature of the film meant that every shipyard town could identify with the rise and fall of the industry as a whole. This boom or bust situation was aptly illustrated by footage from the Falklands conflict, and the jubilant launch days, often attracting royalty to christen the ships with brightly decorated bottles.
As well as their own songs, a version of the Clive Langer / Elvis Costello song, Shipbuilding, provided a really poignant note. Although clocking in at just over an hour, this was a rare little gem of a show, and at times both heart-warming and very emotional.
(c) DAVID DUFFIN
* First published in the Evening Mail (Thu.25.Oct.’12)
Frozen Notes 