Never have so many been so hard to hear: the fluctuating audio on this recording of Siouxsie and longtime cohort/husband Budgie playing the Royal Festival Hall with a 16-piece ensemble (replete with identical-twin backup singers, rock keyboardist and guitarist, and Taiko drummer) is as messy as Siouxsie's copious eye makeup after about the first half hour. Granted, there are some interesting camera angles that allow you to take in all the fancy visuals and equipment used onstage, but the music just doesn't hold up its end. Siouxsie—whether with the Banshees or the Creatures—never has been all that interesting a singer, and by the fourth or fifth of the 27 songs presented here (including relative hits such as “Christine,” “Kiss Them for Me,” “Happy House,” and “Cities in Dust”), they all start to sound pretty much the same. Some of the music is enlivened by the work of Budgie and Taiko master Leonard Ito playing their respective kits together, and some suspense is provided wondering whether Siouxsie is going to spill out of one of her low-cut costumes. But the big drum sound and visual intrigue can't make the music—an uncomfortable mix of post-punk, faux cabaret chic, and art rock—palatable to much of an audience outside of Siouxsie's core fans. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo, DVD extras include five bonus songs from a week earlier warm-up gig at London's 100 Club (including “Hong Kong Garden,” “2nd Floor,” and “Not Forgotten”), as well as an interview with Siouxsie and Budgie, and rehearsal footage. Not recommended. Aud: P. (M. Moore)
Siouxsie: Dreamshow—Live at the Royal Festival Hall with the Millennia Ensemble
(2005) 143 min. DVD: $19.98. Rhino Entertainment (avail. from most distributors). Volume 22, Issue 4
Siouxsie: Dreamshow—Live at the Royal Festival Hall with the Millennia Ensemble
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: