Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book of the same name, Daisy Jones & The Six follows the rise and fall of a fictional rock band embroiled in the allure of sex, drugs and rock and roll.
The 10-part documentary-style series embarks on a rich exploration into the foundation of 70s rock as personal tribulations amongst band members are exploited and brought to the surface. Every great success story comes with a price. Daisy Jones & The Six takes loose inspiration from bands of the same era, notably Fleetwood Mac, who embraced their disputes and channeled messy woes into their discography.
“Sparks would fly in front of the camera but then they had their lives”, Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin) speaks of iconic duo Faye Dunaway and Warren Beattie. His words, of course, pensive to the troublesome relationship between himself, Daisy (Riley Keogh) and their dark mistress: fame. And Billy isn’t wrong. Sparks would certainly fly, but they do nothing to prepare us for the blazing inferno igniting the room.
It feels like we’re stepping into a Time Machine as the series sets off. This is a perfect encapsulation of the ‘Me Decade’. From the Sunset Strip to costumes, right down to music, we’re transfixed in awe. Every detail is carefully crafted. If we didn’t know any better, Daisy Jones & The Six could easily pass for a genuine oral history of a beloved band.
Music is vital in storytelling, whether that comes in the form of the score or soundtrack. In this series, there is a beautiful blend of original and classic songs teleporting us across the decade. Hits from Carole King, Aerosmith and Roxy Music are complemented by the catchy tunes of Aurora – these will be at the top of everyone’s Spotify Wrapped this year, no doubt about it. The music is absolutely where the sparks fly. A rubber band is stretched throughout each performance, building to an inevitable snap where relationships are challenged.
As for performers, Keogh is electric in her role. The natural-born star embodies Daisy, a once discouraged musician from a broken background blossoming into the self-assured free spirit we later see dominating the stage – a whole load of baggage still weighing down in her back pocket. Daisy is desire. Daisy is temptation. We can’t tear our eyes away from her no matter how hard we try – not that we ever want to.
She and Claflin are exceptionally good but it’s Camila Morrone who ultimately brings the house down. Morrone plays Camila Dunne, Billy’s devoted wife and the silent observer to his charged dynamic with Daisy. Morrone has us rooting for Camila from the get-go. Her performance is both heartbreaking and a breath of fresh air. Camila has the power to create total destruction in the palm of her hand and yet we see nothing but earnest loyalty. It goes without saying that Camila is the heart of the story as Morrone brings her to life in a way that was once beyond imagination.
Fans and newcomers to Daisy Jones & The Six will fall in love with the tale all the same. Keogh is phenomenal as the eponymous lead as she embraces Daisy for all that she is, flaws and all, whilst Morrone taps into raw emotion, managing to draw out more than a few tears. Their performances are worth the heartache you’ll endure. And it’s definitely no understatement to say we’ll be humming along to the anthems of Aurora for the rest of the month.
The Music City Drive-In 
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