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On this day, 11 Feb 1980, original Punk rockers The Clash played Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens on The 16 Tons Tour promoting the recently released London Calling album.
The band’s third album achieved great critical acclaim and considered by many to be the band’s finest work and has since been considered by many critics to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time.
Opening for The Clash that evening were Bristol punks The X-Certs. Whose pinnacle was undoubtedly when they were given the opportunity to open at Sophia Gardens.
The X-Certs arrived in their hired transit for their sound check, only to be told they would need to pay the Lighting Engineer £50 if they wanted any lights. A quick emptying of pockets and the money was scraped together, they took up their positions and the stage was illuminated with light. "You need to pay the Sound Engineer £50 too" came the sucker punch. Penniless and unable to pay, the biggest gig of their career so far was turning into a disaster an hour before the doors opened.Nicky "Topper" Headon (The Clash's drummer) appeared to ask what was going on and when told, in true punk camaraderie, he muttered "F**k that, I'll mix you meself!" So, with Topper's assistance, an hour later The X-Certs opened the gig; with The Clash watching the performance from the wings and 4500 in the audience dancing up and down, could it get any better?
