IN FKA Twigs own words, Soundtrack 7: The performances is a culmination of ‘flesh, sweat, feeling, muscle, and live movement.’ Here dancers are bent beyond what seems physically capable and FKA twigs is further challenged to push her already far-stretched artistic boundaries - everything was given.
FKA twigs, or rather, ‘Mother Creep’, has a dark soul.
It took the singer, dancer and director, along with her team, seven long days to make seven short films at this year’s Manchester International Festival before she unveiled her dance/film creation to the public. A select few of MIF 15 audience were lucky to be privy to the creative process (see here); from the relentless fiddling with stage lights, to the hair-splitting perfectionism of FKA twigs direction.
FKA twigs directing Soundtrack 7The result of all the hard graft is hairs on the backs of necks still stiffened with excitement and goosebumps still raised on the arms. Soundtrack 7: The Performances was visually and physically accomplished.
If a film genre, this performance would sit comfortably in the horror category. Soundtrack 7 is a chilling presentation of ghostly apparitions darting from pillar to pillar, wild-eyed hood-boys mouthing vulgarities direct to the audience in slow and sinister motion; some dancers writhe in sexual passion, while others crawl from pitch darkness (sometimes from the audience), contorted and jerking as if possessed by 'Mother Creep' - a long-haired character twigs seems to have snatched out of The Ring.
There’s a want to cover your eyes but also a need to watch the whole thing play out.
FKA twigs, or rather, ‘Mother Creep’, has a dark soul. She recites, breathily, Thomas Wyatts poem I Find No Peace to help move seamlessly between the seven narratives. As she dances she makes loud audible gasps, she sometimes throws her dancers a look of lust, and sometimes pain.
FKA twigsWhile the face of the show, as well as director and creator, FKA twigs stands strong as part of the stellar line-up, rather than as the star of it all. While small in stature, twigs dances outside and beyond of herself, with movements large and captivating. She is an exceptional contemporary dancer, and while dance is supposedly a small part of her artistry it is one of her defining talents, and with it she weaves stories that command your full attention.
Seeing is believing, here. Some artists you need to experience to understand; FKA twigs is such an artist.
As the world and media begins to obsess about FKA twigs burgeoning celebrity (she and A-Lister boyfriend Robert Pattinson have just been spotted leaving Manchester - a shot the local paparazzi have been waiting for), the rest of the city remains in awe of her artistry.
As the stages are torn down and MIF 15 comes to a close, FKA twigs performance will be remembered as one of the standouts in this year's dance-heavy line-up. It was memorable. Soundtrack 7 is a photo-reel of captivating and chilling scenes. One that will continue to haunt me.
