LUSH is best known for its handmade and ethical beauty products, but on Wednesday evening, we had the pleasure of attending something a little different. Taking over its Oxford Street Spa location, the cosmetic brand invited guests to celebrate the launch of Best Day of All Time, its latest compilation album, with an intimate evening of live music, conversation, cocktails and networking. Music might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of LUSH, but co-founder Mark Constantine has always had a passion for it. Over the years, he has brought together a series of compilation albums celebrating different decades, giving both established and emerging musicians the opportunity to put their own spin on some much loved classics.
The evening kicked off with drinks and a chance to mingle before the live performances got underway. With the store transformed into a cosy space for music lovers, it felt worlds away from your usual beauty launch. There was something quite refreshing about seeing a brand step outside what it’s traditionally known for and bring people together through music. The night featured performances from Essence Martins, Beans on Toast and Clara Pople, each bringing their own distinctive sound to the evening.
British Nigerian singer – songwriter Essence Martins brought a softer, more delicate energy to the room. Her voice had this beautiful, almost weightless quality to it, effortlessly moving between indie folk and soul. There’s something incredibly calming about the way she sings, with a warmth and vulnerability that makes you want to stop talking and actually listen. Her interpretation of Keane’s Somewhere Only We Know was particularly captivating, taking a song so many of us grew up with and giving it a much more intimate, personal feel. Clara Pople, on the other hand, brought something a little darker and more experimental. Blending electronic sounds with traditional folk influences, her voice had an almost haunting quality, switching between delicate, airy notes and deeper, more powerful moments. There was something quite hypnotic about her performance, with her Celtic inspired vocals creating a completely different mood. Beans on Toast brought his own charm to the lineup, with his signature storytelling style and down to earth approach to folk music. His performance added a more playful, laid back energy to the evening, balancing out the contrasting sounds of the other two artists.
Between performances, BBC radio presenter Chris Hawkins sat down with LUSH co-founder Mark Constantine for a conversation about the album, his love of music and the inspiration behind the project. It was interesting to hear more about the thought process behind these releases and how they offer independent artists a platform to experiment with songs that have already made their mark on music
History. What particularly struck us about the concept was that it wasn’t simply about covering popular songs, it was about hearing them differently. Songs we associate with a particular time in our lives were given a completely new sound, and in some cases, you could almost forget you were listening to a cover.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a LUSH event without a few treats. In true LUSH fashion, we ended the evening with a generous goodie bag filled with some of the brand’s much loved products, alongside a copy of the vinyl itself. All in all, Best Day of All Time was a refreshing reminder that music and creativity can bring together people from completely different worlds. It was intimate, relaxed and a little unexpected, which is exactly what made it so enjoyable. While we might have arrived expecting the usual beauty brand launch, guests left with a new appreciation for LUSH’s musical side, three new artists on my radar and a vinyl we’ll definitely be giving a spin.