Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes: Live in The Great Hall 06/02/2024

Cardiff is the first date on Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes’ new UK tour, following their fifth album ‘Dark Rainbow’ being released on the 26th of January.

Despite being the first night of the new tour, the entire set is perfectly executed, the band never missing a beat as they frame the stage - each member swaggering over to a new position to receive fresh cheers from different faces. Carter in particular fully engages with

the crowd, choosing to tower above them on the front barricade, or off of the corner of the stage, soaking up the crowd’s adoration as they clamor to be close to the front man.

Before Carter can perform his set, opening acts Hot Wax and The Mysterines welcome a growing crowd. First up, the three-piece band Hot Wax channel the likes of Courtney Love in a dynamic grunge inspired set.

Soon followed by The Mysterines, a four-piece band whose alternate rock sound is haunting and almost hypnotizes the audience.

Carter’s set is a mix of his top hits and material from the new album, the blend proving that this band should be considered icons within modern rock music, and that as time passes they only improve.

Moving between heavy classic rock songs like ‘Devil Inside Me’ to slower ballads such as ‘Sun Bright Golden Happening’ Carter’s seductive vocals are smooth and consistent, never missing the mark and managing feats such as belts and yells still in key.

The audience is able to participate by listening to Carter’s demands, forming a female only mosh pit mid show, and later asking the audience to get to the ground before leaping up on Carter’s que, creating absolute chaos.

Teasing the crowd, Carter and the Rattlesnakes leave the stage keeping them in the dark as they chant for one more song. Returning they play two more before thanking the crowd and leaving on a mysterious and slow note, their theatrics only adding to the enjoyable night.

Set List:

1. Can I Take You Home

2. Brambles

3. American Spirit

4. Queen of Hearts

5. Self Love

6. Kitty Sucker

7. Wild Flowers

8. Tyrant Lizzard King

9. Devil Inside Me

10. Juggernaut

11. Honey

12. Happier Days

13. Sun Bright Golden Happening

14. Lullaby

15. Crowbar

16. Man of the Hour

17. Thunder (Encore)

18. Dark Rainbow (Encore)

Penny Rich Live in Porter’s

A storm of pure energy, Penny Rich bring Noise Rock to the student scene and are met with violent enthusiasm. Ear protection highly recommended!

Penny Rich came to Porter’s to perform a single launch show for their latest track ‘PC’ released via streaming services on the 24 th of November. But before they could close the show with the track, they tear up the stage with a mix of their hits from their debt album ‘If Everyone’s An Expert, What’s Left To Be Learnt?’.

A later show than most in Cardiff, the warmup acts started from 9pm. First up, a relatively new band FUBELT played a post-punk set, with hints of psychedelic rock mixed through their music. Droning guitars and almost chanting lyrics change rapidly into full punk screaming, shocking those who were unfamiliar with their work, while energising their fans. Next up was a band with slightly more experience, having been around since 2011 - This Is Wreckage. Their harsh basslines are reminiscent of Rage Against The Machine and, accompanied by grating vocals, their music has an overall grungy tone.

Penny Rich is extreme and certainly not for the faint hearted, but if you enjoy punk music or noise rock, then their live performance and crowd interaction will blow you away. Right out of the gates they create a wall of sound, attacking their instruments with reckless abandon. Their first track ‘Last Meal’ has the audience moving erratically along with the tempo, head banging to the gritty hook threaded through the piece. The vocals of both lead and backing singer are impressive to say the least, achieving almost chainsaw like screams and maintaining this energy to the very end, still managing prolonged growls in songs such as ‘Sugar Pill’.

The command they have over the crowd is unbelievable, successfully controlling the moshing whirlpool and even clearing a section for the bassist the jump into. Riled up fans attempt to jump onto the stage throughout the show, and encouraged by the band, a microphone is placed into the crowd for them to join in, people clamouring to be the first to shout along.

Closing the show, they thank the crowd for staying out late, and break into their brand-new single ‘PC’. The track is relentless making use of the reverb and feedback their setup allows, constantly creating an aggressive sound. Certainly a band to watch if punk music is your scene.

Set List: 1. Last Meal 2. Spirals 3. Violent Glitch 4. On and On 5. Sugar Pill 6. Expert 7. PC.

Beans on Toast: Live in The Globe 07/12/24

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With his new album ‘The Toothpaste and the Tube’, released December 1st , Beans on Toast plays Cardiff The Globe and is met with a dedicated crowd, many of who already know the lyrics for his new tracks.

His sixteenth album so far, Beans on Toast, aka Jay McAllister, has been performing since 2005 and therefore brings an established fanbase with a wide range of ages out to venues.

Warming up the crowd Tensheds play first, a one-man band playing elaborate bluesy piano, a synth beat pedal, and singing simultaneously. His rasping vocals are emotional, and the lyrics are melancholic, yet his improvisatory piano playing is joyful.

Next up, Bassie Gracie performs poetry for the audience, prefacing some of her work with her concern that music audiences do not want to hear poetry, and serious poets find her work trivial. However, her poetry was witty and empowering, moving between conversational sections to rapid rhymes, all while maintaining the audience’s attention.

Both Tensheds and Bassie Gracie – now playing bass – return to the stage, forming Beans on Toast’s band for the tour. He kicks the set off with ‘Work to do’ from the new album, signing about social problems such as plastic pollution, global conflict, and mental health. Between the upbeat folk-like melody, and focus on the work giving humanity purpose, the song manages to have a cheerful and optimistic character.

B.O.T succeeds in leading sing-a-longs without even trying, the entire audience swaying, cheering, and belting out lyrics to one of his more popular songs ‘Watching the World Go By’. The audience reaches such a volume, that McAllister shouts “F*ck Yeah Cardiff! See you are gonna try to make this the best night of the tour!”.

Many of his songs focus on social issues, and how as a community we can overcome them. An example of a song combining both light-hearted fun, and a serious message is the M.D.M. Amazing and ‘The Children of Bedford’ mashup. Halfway through the first song, he pauses to tell the tale of a young fan interaction, of how it shocked him and his band, and how it inspired him to write a song cautioning regular drug usage. After telling the story, he begins ‘The Children of Bedford’ before resuming ‘M.D.M. Amazing’ and imploring his crowd to listen to the message behind both tracks.

The communication between B.O.T. and the crowd is phenomenal. Just before he begins the song ‘The Greenwash’ he invites a member of his team as well as two people from the crowd to join the band and him on stage. They act as his backing singers, after being taught their line to chant, and he regularly runs over to prompt them to join with varying levels of success. Just like the rest of his act, his message is serious, and yet he is still able to create an unusual and entertaining way of performing, managing to get the crowd to laugh, listen, and dance – a skill that has had the crowds turning up for him for 18 years.

Pet Needs: Live in Clwb Ifor Bach 24/11/2023

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Leaping across the stage, Pet Needs gets their crowd moshing to a unique blend of punk music.

Walking out to an onslaught of cheers, they make clear how much they appreciate their fanbase, a feeling that is reciprocated. The band has been able to support itself financially for two years now, and instead of discussing merch, the band chose to praise their warmup acts and their friends who helped make touring possible. The first warm-up act of the night was Private Party - a relatively new indie pop group, with bright guitar solos, and catchy melodies from their vocalist Violet.

The second support act was Glitchers - covered in duct tape and playing gritty hardcore punk music, they pull increasingly chaotic antic on stage while singing about their problems with the politicians and modern-day society. Pet Needs had one of the best setups I have seen in Clwb Ifor Bach, but that might be due to the sheer number of people that filled the venue. They used the booths for their merchandise, consequently forcing people to stand up patiently and wait for the acts to begin, creating an immediate crowd in front of the stage.

A refreshing take on punk music, Pet Needs switches between different intensities of the genre, keeping the set engaging and unpredictable. At times songs such as ‘Kayak’ appear to be heavy punk rock, with distorted guitar solos and full shouts – encouraging chaos in both the moshing audience and the lead singer jumping across the stage. Whereas songs like ‘Tracey Emin’s Bed’, while still punk, feel much more like early 2000s Blink 182, following a singable melody and anthemic choruses. Between songs the band makes sure to promote their third album ‘Intermittent Fast Living’, coming out next February 16th, even playing ‘Separation Anxiety’ a single off the album, building anticipation for the release.

Pet Needs made one thing very clear to their audience, that they expected enthusiasm and energy. At times they dare the audience to out-jump and sing their previous crowds, stating “Every show before this has been a warmup for Cardiff!” and encouraging them to put Bath (the previous night’s venue) to shame. Jack Lock on drums, Ryan Sharman playing bass, George Mariott playing guitar and lead singer Johnny Mariott finish off the show with the same high energy as they started it, being sure to thank the sound team and promising to play again with the new album next year.

Set List: 1. Separation Anxiety 2. Tracey Emin’s Bed 3. Ibiza in Winter 4. Fear for the Whole Damn World 5. Overcompensating 6. Tried and Failed 7. Primetime Entertainment 8. Kayak 9. Pavlovian 10. As the Spin Cycle Span 11. Scratch Card 12. Punk Isn’t Dead 13. Lost Again 14. Toothpaste 15. Get on the Roof

Funke and the Two Tone Baby Live in Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach - 15/11/2023

All Photos Copyright KCL

The one-man band phenomenon blends blues melodies with electronic dance music for a night of celebration and joy.

Friendly chatter fills the inside of Clwb Ifor Bach, with Dan Turnbull the mastermind behind Funke and the Two Tone Baby, happily stood by the bar talking with fans before the show. His relaxed manner welcomed them over, allowing the concert to have a personal feeling, where each fan could dance and cheer along to his music as he matched their energy on stage.

Before his set could begin, Wet Paint warmed up the crowd with a folk-rock set. The four-piece band all sat on stools with their instruments, taking turns to announce which one of the singer-songwriters was responsible for the next tune and joking with each other on stage. They regularly switched who was the lead singer and joined together for soaring four-part harmonies in the choruses. From slower folk ballads to upbeat blues songs filled with guitar and harmonica solos, the group created a joyous sound filling the venue and getting the whole crowd to cheer and tap along.

F.T.T.B takes to the stage and swiftly builds his first song using a looping pedal. Layering guitar chords, drumbeats, and keyboard synths, he can freely sing the lyrics over the top of his song. His energy is infectious as he darts around his setup, making the show enjoyable for all, whether you are familiar with his music or not

. The tour supports his latest album ‘Reacclimate’, with yellow merchandise side of the stage available for the crowd to buy, many of which are already decked out in a variety of yellow items and accessories. He informs the crowd that he is going to play through the albums in its entirety, before playing a few of his previous hits. F.T.TB mixes a wide range of genres, with songs such as ‘Can’t Stop the Music’ having a blues tone, with raspy vocals, harmonica, and rhythmic guitar solos, adding to the piece’s groove.

As ‘One in a Million’ focuses more on electro dance music, with bouncy synth loops, vocal effects, and small beat drops before each chorus encouraging the crowd into a frenzy. He takes a break from the upbeat electro songs from his album to share a moving tribute to his late girlfriend, revealing the reason for the yellow album and tour theme as it was her favorite colour, going on to play ‘Ani’s Song’. Both the artist and much of the crowd are brought to tears by the end of the song, and Turnball is met with cheers as people wipe their eyes.

Resuming the upbeat electric dance music, F.T.T.B finishes up his album set and moves onto hits such as ‘Not Enough Bonobo’ to finish his performance, leaving his setup to march to the front of the stage and lead a sing-along, and getting the whole crowd jumping. Entering the swarming crowd, he is lifted by the fans as he continues to sing, a shock for all involved, yet the playful scene perfectly shows the appreciation of the crowd for Turnbull’s talent. A perfect ending for an emotional rollercoaster of a show.

Emily Powell-Chandler

Dekker in Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiff: 16/11/2023

Third night into the UK leg of his 2023 tour, Brookln Dekker arrives in Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach for an intimate show full of storytelling and reflection.

A simplistic stage setup is laid out before the audience, only instruments for both warm-up and Dekker on stage, and a singular prop of a hanging sign stating his name above.

The crowd files in, choosing to place themselves in booths, sitting on the venue steps or leaning around the room. All appear relaxed while anticipating the night of music to come.

Warming up the crowd, Low Girl walks onto the stage. Only half of the members are present, Toby on keyboard and effects, and Sarah on guitar and vocals, but despite the whole band not being on stage, their presence is undeniable. Their music is beautiful and, at times, has bright pop elements, yet it always has a sense of sorrow behind either the melodies or the lyrics, creating juxtaposing feelings for the crowd to wallow in.

Starting his set, Dekker appears wearing his signature oversized woven hat, almost entirely obscuring his face, adding an element of mystery to his performance. Acoustic guitar in hand he begins, plucking out intricate chords as Stefan Wittich joins him with a subtle rhythm on drums, keeping the momentum moving. Dekker’s vocal prowess is clear, as he regularly jumps into falsetto sections with control, capturing the audience’s attention for more passionate moments in his lyrics.

Songs such as ‘Let’s Pretend’ show off Dekker’s lower register yet still has talented runs and decorations scattered throughout the enchanting song. Addressing the crowd, Dekker asks, “Can I tell a few stories tonight?” and is met with a cheer of support.

He goes on to tell tales of his family and their influence on his life between songs, as well as lyrically transport the audience through struggles he has faced. ‘Maybe October’ addresses sobriety and responsibility, while still establishing a catchy hook getting the audience to sway along with the somber folk-pop music. His set is hypnotic, and the music seems to move between feeling soothing and haunting without warning.

He finishes the show while joking with a tiring Wittich, both playing with more passion and increasing ferocity on guitar and drums. The end is met with a wave of cheers, as they both nod and wave to the support crowd in front of them.

The Velvet Hands -The Moon Club – 2/11/2023

Photo Copyright Emily Powell-Chandler

Embarking on their second album tour ‘Sucker Punch’, The Velvet Hands play at The Moon Cardiff, displaying their skill, passion, and innovation within indie rock – a promising future for the genre.

Between the cosy underground feeling of The Moon and the punk themed merchandise on sale with handwritten prices, the atmosphere is that of anticipation to see the upcoming musicians in action. Before The Velvet Hands could take the stage, two Swansea based support bands warmed up the crowd.

Subterania opens the night, melodic vocals and classic rock inspired guitar solos effortlessly embellish their model indie rock setlist, encouraging their close fan base to sing along with their original songs. The attitude and swagger of the four-piece group are reminiscent of Britpop bands such as Oasis, with Dylan Cai (frontman) draping himself over the mic stand, while the band sports 2000s-inspired bucket hats, shaggy hair, and soft shells.

At times, their antics involve the lead guitarist and vocalist nursing lollypops mid song, appearing to be unbothered and happy while performing. A slight tonal change occurs when The Fiends take to the stage. The five-piece band could still be categorised as indie rock, however, the more sombre downcast lyrics combined with raspier vocals create a grunge feel with punk like shouts in the choruses. While different from the other act, their music still clearly resonates with the crowd, as fans scream along with the intense lyrics.

Despite The Moon not being at capacity, The Velvet Hands’ professionalism and enthusiasm shone through, as they took to the stage yelling “Hello Cardiff! How are you all doing?!” addressing the audience as if they were thousands.

The band’s indie rock music is tight and tidy, regularly switching between perfectly timed group shouts in the chorus, to only vocals and drums in the verse of ‘40 Up 40 Down’ all while bouncing in unison with instruments in hand, appearing as a seamless unit. While their music tends to fit into the indie rock genre, songs such as ‘Curtains Closed’ off their first album has a bluesy ballad element, slowing down their set and allowing audiences to focus on the relaxing melody.

While most of the vocals are performed by frontman Toby Mitchell, lead guitarist Dan Able and bass player Sam Hilder sing backing harmonies for many songs, Able even taking the lead on the single ‘Star’ to shake up their set. The Moons’ smaller stage allows for the band to use their entire environment for the show, with guitarists able to strut across the stage to perform solos or dance together.

During more aggressive punk songs, such as ‘Fallout’, Toby Mitchell is able to grip the ceiling and lean and sway, adding further drama to the music while Louis Mitchell attacks the drumkit. Keeping the energy high, the band’s penultimate song is their biggest hit ‘This Feeling’, punchy power chords hitting the crowd, followed by a singular cry of the title, the band keeping the silence sharp and the vocalists alternating who will shout the next line out creating a playful dynamic on stage.

Before their final song ‘Party’s Over’, Mitchell leads a practice sing along, preparing the crowd to join in for the last lines of their set - ‘I don’t wanna be your friend no more’ - challenging them to sing louder each time. Their set finishes and they thank Cardiff, promising to ‘be back!’. Despite the show being over, they do not stop, as they take time to personally sell and sign merchandise, chat and take photos with fans, proving themselves to be not only talented musicians but kind and appreciative of their fanbase. A promising band for the future of indie rock music.

Set List: 1. I Don’t Mind 2.40 Up 40 Down 3.Holiday in My Head 4. I wanna Be there 5.Star 6.Curtains

Closed 7.Fallout 8. Sucker Punch 9. Sick Of Living 10.Emotion 11. This Feeling 12.Party’s Over

HENGE - Live at Clwb Ifor Bach Cardiff: A Cosmic Escape 12/10/23

All Photographs Copyright Emily Powell-Chandler

“This strange, beautiful planet in a place called Cardiff – Am I pronouncing that right?” intergalactic explorer Zpor jokes with the cheering crowd, before inviting them to join his team on a cosmic journey, experienced through their music and energetic stage presence.

As you enter Clwb Ifor Bach, enthusiasm for HENGE is clear as day, as fans decked in glittery head boppers, alien beanies, and full chromatic outfits, crowd the front of the room. The back of the room is draped in acid trip tie-dye t-shirts and extraterrestrial accessories, tempting newcomers to join in, with the alien dress-up.

Before HENGE, can take the stage, their warmup act Dogshow prepares the audience for an evening full of absurdity. A neon synthesiser rig is wheeled to the centre of the crowd by the two-piece act, dressed as dogs in sunglasses and costume jewellery. Their hypnotic synthesised loop tracks contrast with upbeat rave anthems, successfully exciting the crowd for the evening to come.

HENGE’s set opens with drama, as fog obscures the stage allowing for a smooth entrance for the intergalactic crew. Zpor (Matthew Whitaker) on electric guitar and vocals, decked out in plasma ball hat and light-up staff; Goo (Peter Turner) on bass and synth bass in full alien prosthetics; Grok (Roy Medhurst) on synth, the only human of the group matching the band in otherworldly robes; and Nom (Sam Draper) on the drums also in full alien prosthetics.

They break into their first song ‘Alpha Test 4’, the title track of the album they are currently touring since its release earlier this year in May. HENGE’s setlist dabbles in a variety of musical genres, the band themselves describing their genre as ‘Cosmic Dross’. The song ‘Get A Wriggle On’, is a cross between fast-tempo rap music and bouncy synth hooks, creating an irresistible groove. While the song is upbeat, it simultaneously warns of Earth’s climate crisis - the alien crew citing their own extinct planets as evidence of the issue, the band showing full commitment to their alien alter egos.

While they maintain the extraterrestrial narrative in their music, their other songs tend to centre around science and novelty for the most part. A less cautionary song focuses on the woes of a robot in ‘Self Repair Protocol’. The song keeps the emphasis on synthesised melodies but adds special effects to the vocals mimicking a classic robot voice and creates a catchy dance track, strobe lights adding to the techno atmosphere. Tapping into prog rock in a noticeable genre change, the song ‘New Planet’ from their second album slows down their set, with the rock anthem encouraging the audience to sway along and marvel at the elaborate and commanding performance before them.

For the final part of their journey, before the crowd “return to earth”, HENGE unify the crowd by singing ‘Demilitarise’ from their first album ‘Attention Earth!’, once again their humane wishes shining through their alien personas.

As Zpor walks through the crowd, embracing fans, a message of peace and inclusivity is evident, as all chant the chorus acapella, ending the show as an inclusive and optimistic community.