Review - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Principality Stadium 05/05/2024

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It was a triumphant return to Wales for the legend that is Bruce Springsteen and his E-Street band opening his European tour in Cardiff last night in true ‘Boss’ style with a stunning 3-hour set that left his adoring fans stunned.

I must confess that not being a great Bruce fan, it took some convincing to attend this gig, yet walked away cheerful in the fact that I’d just witnessed one of rock’s greatest ever performers and after all these years I finally ‘got’ what all the fuss was about.

Looking extremely fit for all of his 74 years and backed by the quite brilliant E-Street band his songs played live take on a life of their own played with jaw-dropping intensity and power, almost like a religious experience, worshipping at the Church of Bruce.

Opening with So Young and in Love the tempo was set early on as Bruce and band powered from song to song with little or no introduction. Songs like No Surrender and Better Days were anthemic and incredibly uplifting whist his control throughout, changing tempo and pace showed what a great and iconic performer he’s become so comfortable and at home amongst his thousands of fans, knowing full well that he can do no wrong in their adoring eyes. And he certainly delivers.

His mega band consisting of E-Street Band stalwarts Nils Lofgren, Steve Van Zandt and Jake Clemons ( nephew of the late Clarence Clemons, former E-Street giant) were what you would expect from a band with so much experience and talent, a joy to listen to as they superbly supported their leader through such an exhausting evening.

Sadly, the heartfelt solo acoustic tribute to his friend George, Last Man Standing, was drowned out by inane chatter that tends to be a problem of late at this type of gig. That and the constant stream of people heading to the bar does frustrate but fortunately Bruce was so good that this irritation was quickly forgotten.

Major highlights for me were his cover of the Commodores Nightshit, slotted effortlessly in amongst Springsteen classic like the stunning The River and Because The Night whilst the last 30 minutes of a quite splendid show was one of the best I’d ever seen with both band and crowd bonding for what was an electric finish, from one of rock’s true greats.

Setlist

So Young and in Love

(tour debut, first time since 2013)

Lonesome Day

No Surrender

Prove It All Night

Darlington County

Ghosts

Better Days

(tour debut, sign request, first time since 2017)

The Promised Land

Spirit in the Night

Hungry Heart

If I Was the Priest

(tour debut, sign request)

My City of Ruins

(interspersed with band introductions)

Nightshift

(Commodores cover)

The River

(tour debut)

Last Man Standing

Backstreets

Because the Night

(Patti Smith Group cover)

She's the One

Wrecking Ball

The Rising

Badlands

Thunder Road

Encore:

Born in the U.S.A.

(tour debut)

Born to Run

Bobby Jean

Dancing in the Dark

(followed by band introductions)

Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out

Twist and Shout

(The Top Notes cover)

Encore 2:

I'll See You in My Dreams

(solo acoustic)

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.

The Sweet, Tramshed, Cardiff, 17/12/2024

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The evening started well with a good set from the American Blues singer Sari Schoor.  I thought I should give the support act a mention!

I have to tell you the first single I ever bought was Blockbuster so I was really looking forward to this concert. Taking to the stage with what else but Action, as the set opener, the crowd in the packed Tramshed knew they were in for a great 90 minute set.

There are bona fide classics that original member Andy Scott knows that need to be played. These were all present. The band also played new material, such as Don't give me water and Changes from their forthcoming album Full Circle which were well received by the crowd.

Lead singer Paul Mansi delivers a fine vocal performance and the band's harmonies are spot on.  You can see this is a band that really enjoys playing together.

The last part of the set was filled with classics like Teenage Rampage, Love is like Oxygen and Blockbuster. The band  finished with what else but Ballroom Blitz, hands lapping and voices in unison, as The Sweet proved again why they are a class act.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of people in the crowd in their thirties, so the band are finding new fans all the time.

Try to catch these guys if you can!

Steve Davies YYFM

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

Review - Blow Monkeys - The Globe, Cardiff - 30/11/2023

All images Tony Woolway

Formed in 1981 and still going strong 41 years later The Blow Monkeys have enjoyed a successful and critically acclaimed career. Splitting up in the early nineties, a welcome return in the mid-2000’s with a clutch of well received recordings, there was no getting away from the very recognisable Blow Monkey sound and distinctive Dr Robert stylish vocals which proved there’s still plenty more to come from the band,

It was a good sized crowd that turned out at The Globe for the band’s return and they provided a quite stunning evening that induced a nostalgic yearning for many whilst any newbie’s in attendance couldn’t fail to be hooked by the sultry soul funk that’s become the band’s trademark sound over the years.

Quickly into there stride from the off, and with Dr Robert (Robert Howard) the obvious focal point, he charmed the crowd with good humour in between some classy Monkey’s tunes that both musically and lyrically have stood the test of time. A fierce critic of government wrongdoing through the decades there was certainly no let up and cooling of their opinions.

Great versions of the classic “Digging Your Scene” and "It Doesn't Have to Be This Way” were obviously fan favourites for the evening but equally, impressive was “Wait” and their cover of Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me” (Recorded specifically for the film Dirty Dancing). All showcased a tight and talented band with longtime bassist Mick Anker leading the way and supplying the funk.

Rounding up the evening with the brilliant Curtis Mayfield classic “Superfly” the band left a crowd to go out into a chilly November evening warmed by a band who can still produce and relevant despite the years.

Ian Prowse and Nico

No review would be complete without special mention for the evening’s support, former Pele front man Ian Prowse. With just his guitar and violinist Nico he was the perfect accompaniment for the headline band. His songs, strong and direct, especially “My Name Is Dessie Warren” and “Does This Train Stop in Merseyside” were very emotive and thought provoking. But his staring down of noisy punters who chatted away oblivious to the those listening (trying to listen) made him a hero and helped set the tone for the rest of the night.

Tony Woolway

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

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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