Wille and the Bandits: The Moon Club

There are films, albums, or songs that will never stop to give you goose bumps, and you discover something new about it each time you watch or listen to it.

The versatility of Wille and the Bandits makes them one of those genius bands. A mixture of genres range from rock to Latin and blues with bits of folk it's like a musical rollercoaster to the point, where watching the band live feels like being at 4 different gigs. 

Willie and the Bandits is a band of loud drums, lots and lots of guitar, and great vocals, the band combine vibes of Jimi Hendrix, Pearl Jam and Santana in an alternative and experimental way, they have their own recipe for a pretty unforgettable live show, And there’s even more guitar! 

Wille’s slide pushes the sound beyond the boundaries, adding bits of blues to it. this was something that the Cardiff music scene had never seen before. 

The only source of light during the gig was candlelight, which I found pretty cool and because of the Latin vibes, it felt like a hot summer night, somewhere far away from rainy UK.

The band mastered how to mix the genres and make their gigs as dynamic as possible. It’s blues rock, it’s Latin and it’s acid rock, it’s also folk, Wille and the Bandits will mix it all up within one performance.

Swinging across the genres, the band is taking live shows to another level.

A big WOW, they will blow you off your feet. 

Every minute of the gig was a musical rollercoaster, their versatile music makes your body move. The crowd absolutely loved it. 

When I stood at the front to take some photos, people were going wild, dancing and singing, and I was trying not to get knocked out. 

If you’re into blues rock with bits of folk, all wrapped up with Latin vibes- Wille and the Bandits is probably what you’ve been looking for, Or even if you’re into grime, techno, country, or whatever you like, go and see this band live for a musical katharsis. 

Kinga Balasz

THE ULTIMATE CLASSIC ROCK SHOW

The Globe, Cardiff - 21/02/2020

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show was originated back in 2005 by Luke Bradshaw Guitarist,Producer and Creator of the band.

Since then there has been a major surge in popularity of Tribute bands, some good, some bad and some excellent. TUCRS fit into the excellent category.

We at Keep Cardiff Live believe there is room for all forms of live music,Original,Covers and tribute. In fact any type of live music that gets people off the sofa and out supporting live music is important.

Here is a special review of the band who stopped off at The Globe, Cardiff on their extensive tour of the UK, and played to a sold out audience.

Friday Night is always good for a gig night, work over for the weekend and time to let your hair down to the sounds of Classic rock.

And That is exactly what you get with The Ultimate Classic Rock Show. instantly propelled into the world you grew up in, the songs that meant so much, good times, sing along and happy memories.

It may seem obvious to some, but to create that 2 hour trip back to your past requires great skill and thought.

Yes the band are all outstanding musicians where attention to detail is mindbogglingly good, from Bohemian Rhapsody in all its complexities (something Queen actually shyed away from Live) to note perfect solos of ‘While my Guitar Gently Weeps and ‘Hotel California”to name a few.

What makes The evening so good though is the whole show,great sound,great lighting,images projected to remind you of the original artists, a professional set up throughout.

Looking around the sold out audience all you can see is happy faces, people singing, clapping and having a great night.

it’s all about entertainment and good times.no costumes,apart from T-shirts with Thin Lizzy and Pink Floyd to name a few..yes they are fans too which totally shows in their enthusiasm and performance.

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show are back in Cardiff at The New Theatre on The 10th of September, Tickets on sale 13th March.

Check out the bands website for more videos, Photos and News of their tour, you will not be disappointed they deliver and exceed your expectations.

Five Stars *****

TC

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show trailer 2020 www.ultimateclassicrockshow.com

Kano

Cardiff Students Union

Not so much a new name on the block, Kano's been performing his own brand of hip-hop and rap for a fair few years now since the East Londoner burst on the scene back in 2002 with his track "Boys Love Girls."

With his involvement with N.A.S.T.Y Crew a major stepping stone and a certain Dizzee Rascal very much part of his progression through to being a major player in UK Hip Hop scene it seems at the moment he can't do no wrong..

Promoting his album Hoodies All Summer, his first since 2016's Made In The Manor, the latest dates for February were added due to the huge demand for tickets following his a very successful tour last year.

Considered the Top Boy of UK Rap, East Ham's finest and sometime actor thrives in the highly-charged environment of the smaller, compact venues like Cardiff's Students Union, His confidence and almost cockiness a major feature that sets him aside from others, though there's nothing big-headed or brash but a passionate plea to correct the unrest and injustice he sees in everyday life.

Opening with the first track on his latest album Free Years Later it was a very different Kano this time supported by a five-piece gospel choir, supplying a wonderful backdrop to what was quite an occasion with a full band in situ rather than the normal DJ only set up that we've grown to expect.

With a crowd already buzzing from a Welsh rugby victory earlier in the day the party really took off to another level as Kano let rip with some of his fan favourites like the powerful This Is England and his break-through track P's and Q's, which had the entire audience jumping.

Ending the quite stunning set with a brass-infused 3 Wheels Up following a cheeky version of SYM, it was an impressive performance from one of the genre's most influential stars.

Jonathan Woolway

Immersed Festival

Tramshed, Cardiff - 30/01/2020

Richard Ashcroft performing at the Tramshed.

Organised in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, Immersed Festival took place at Tramshed last Thursday, on the 30th of January, USW and Music Managers Forum held an event, that brought together over 800 people, including students and local musicians. 

On Thursday, all the local music lovers and makers could gather together and empower each other, especially when local music venues are in the risk of being shut down. It was a reminder of the importance of the places where small bands can grow, and how significant music culture and local venues are in Cardiff. 

Tramshed provided three stages, Gwdihŵ stage in the waiting room, where you could grab a drink, have a taste of Welsh vibes, get cwtchy on a sofa, and enjoy the acoustic session with young artists such as Mari Mathias and Otto, surrounded by lots of fairy lights and warm colours. 

Upstairs room was created in imitation of actual Womanby Street and offered a bit more badass sounds provided by bands like Al Moses, Black Elvis, Bandicoot, French Alps Tiger, or Welsh singing Adwaith. Tiny stage with a big power, just like short Womanby Street with a long line of bars with live music. 

Main Room, headlined by Richard Ashcroft, Tom Grennan, Bad Sounds opened as the last and filled with people immediately. The main acts were supported by fantastic local bands of various genres range from grunge Clwb Fuzz to funky Year Of The Dog, who have been featured in the Netflix’s series Sex Education. Regardless of being in work that time (yes, you’re right, I multitask, so I can focus on a gig, and provide excellent customer service at the same time, as always) I had the greatest time bopping to “Zacharia” by Bad Sounds, which I think put everyone in a bouncy mood for Tom Grennan, who then performed “Found What I’ve Been Looking For”, what quite a big chunk of the crowd was so excited about.

That half an hour break before Richard Ashcroft jumped on stage were longest thirty minutes of my life. During the break I had a customer who was telling me that Richard has been his favourite artist for a very long time, and how happy he was to see him tonight, which was my highlight of the night. 

It’s 10 o’clock and I hear the crowd cheering and whistling, Ashcroft is on the stage and I’m thinking about that customer. God bless him, wherever you are mr customer, I really hope you managed to get to the front. 

Ashcroft, accompanied by a former bassist of Ocean Colour Scene Damon Minchella, begins his performance with a love song “Sonnet” wearing a scarf and a jacket. He’s singing “Break The Night With Colour”, now without his scarf. Before “The Drugs Don’t Work” he takes his jacket off and that’s how I know Richard is going to perform Bittersweet Symphony soon. 

I was not wrong. 

He then performed his last song from the setlist, Bittersweet Symphony, which is the cherry on top of the event, when everyone including organisers could sign with relief for those couple of minutes. There was no way someone could not be familiar with the song, so the whole crowd was singing along. 

Despite the rainy and windy weather, the atmosphere was amazing, positive and vibrant. Immersed 2020 was the place to go if you wanted to spend time in company of music lovers and makers, get to know more about local music, be a part of the music environment listening to hottest local bands, or even just hang around on a lazy Thursday afternoon. All dedicated to Teenage Cancer Trust, in aid of which the festival was organised, all in a good cause. 

With Bad Sounds, Tom Grennan and Richard Ashcroft headlining this year, I’m already buzzing to see next year’s headlines and the line-up for fresh local bands. Shout out to everyone who contributed to Immersed 2020 and highlighted the importance of local music venues and keeping music culture in Cardiff alive. Events like Immersed are well needed in times when venues are in risk of being shut down, being able to appreciate live music at the festival organised in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust is a brilliant way to balance having fun with help and support for others.  

Kinga Balasz

Genesis Visible Touch

The Globe, Cardiff - 16/1/2020

Tribute bands are now a part of Live Music particularily when the original bands or Artists are not touring themselves creating a market for fans to get to hear the songs they love played live.

The professionalism and accuracy can vary dramatically as it is so difficult to get all the factors right to please the arden fans.

Genesis Visible Touch are one of the best at what they do in all aspects, Lighting, Sound and Graphics are all first class along with fantastic musicianship and attention to detail. In fact the multi talented Chris O’Connell is so beleivable as Phil Collins vocally and his mannerisms you instantly feel comfortable and drawn in to the illusion of this really being Genesis, with o’connell taking to the drums to recreate the two drummer sound you realise how talented he is.

I should mention the other musicians, Martin Gordon (Mike Rutherford) combining Double neck guitar with Bass pedals providing the basis of The Genesis sound with Stuart Norman Perfectly complementing on guitar providing perfect tones and measured playing. Tony Turrell on Keyboards really performs an accurate version of the classic keyboard sound coupled with Russell Wilson driving the the songs with perfect drumming.

Songs are of course from the Collins era and include Behind The Lines, Dukes Travels and Turn it on again from Duke, Dance on a volcano and Ripples from Trick of The Tail, Tonight, Tonight, Tonight and Invisible Touch from the album of the same name to name a few of the excellent versions.

The Lady Lies from And Then There Were Three showed the real dynamics of the band and of course Follow You Follow Me had the capacity crowd singing along.

Sometimes Tribute acts get a percentage of the feel of the original acts music and performance and that probably works for most, but when you are playing such musically complex parts and beautifully crafted songs you require not only great musicianship, but true empathy and love of the work. Genesis Visible Touch have that in abundance, please check them out next time, fan or not you won’t be disappointed.

The Overtones

St David's Hall - 16/12/19

The Overtones are a resilient and remarkable four-man vocal group.
Resilient because last year they tragically lost their lead singer Timmy Matley who now has been replaced by Jay James from Saundersfoot, which means that thankfully the show is now back on the road.
Remarkable because they are in many ways unique. They all wear the same stylishly cut suits, move in a well-timed co-ordinated fashion, and interact superbly well with the crowd which gets things going. 

Drawing on a doo-wop style tradition and a using a range of different harmonies, while being supported by an excellent band, they present songs from several decades.
Last night at a well-attended St David’s Hall the concert was part of a Christmas tour and inevitably it featured several festive classics (one delivered by the singers from within the audience). Other songs such as ‘Pretty Woman’ ‘My Girl’, and ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ are drawn from the back catalogues of other artists but are delivered in a distinct manner. 

Their new version of ‘Walking In The Air’ was mesmerising.
The Overtones’ concert was greatly helped by the venue which is intimate enough to provide close-up engagement with both the group and the music, and this made for a spine-tingling and uplifting experience. 

It was a fun-filled evening because this was not really a concert but a ‘show’ in the best sense of the word.
Next year is the tenth anniversary of the setting up of The Overtones and there will be a celebratory tour which means they will soon be back in Cardiff. Be there!

Huw Bowen

Pete Tong and The Heritage Orchestra - Ibiza Classics

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena - 10/12/2019

Since its origins in the mid 1980s in the chicago and new york house scene, house music has come a very long way, becoming one of the biggest genres of music.

One of the main contributors of compilation albums was one Pete Tong, for house afficionados the essential collection and his long standing BBC radio program ‘the essential selection’ were a must listen, featuring some of the great hits of the era.

Tong received the order of the british empire in 2014, making him confirmed dance music royalty. Tong’s Ibiza connection is famous with his residence at both pasha & nightclubs, coupled with his links to the British dance scene including Cream Live cd’s & the release of one of the first collections ‘the annual’ back in 1995.

So where was there next to go for Pete Tong? The answer is an amazing live show of classic Ibiza tunes played by the impressive 65 member strong Heritage Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckely, with their interpretation and arrangements of the finest dance tracks from the last 30 years.

Tong presides over the performance from a platform, his command resembling that of a pulpit as he delivers a sermon to stun and entertain. It is very easy to get into the vibe of Ibiza with cinematic visuals on large screens taking you to the clubs and the scene iconic of the island. The lasers and light show give the feeling of being in the superclubs during their heyday. The crowd react, hands in the air as they enjoy every second reliving their youth.

Some of the tunes include a brilliant version of Cafe Del Mar, Music Sounds Better With You, ATB’s 9pm til I come, Robert Miles Children & Moloko’s Sing It Back with surprise guest Beverly Knight. Other vocalists present on the night were Becky Hill  who performed a fantastic version of Robyn’s With Every Heartbeat, there was also a slower number sung by Roberts Owens, one of the originators of the Chicago House Music Scene. Impressive versions of the much loved classics Insomnia & God is a DJ by Faithless before a show stopping version of The Prodigy’s Outer Space with a tribute to the late Keith Flint.

As a concept Pete Tong and The Heritage Orchestra Ibiza Classics show works so well, in entertaining the packed Motorpoint Arena, the visuals, lighting, orchestral arrangements, great guest vocalists, coupled with the legendary Tong ensures a great nights entertainment.

On a wet and windy December night Pete Tong recreated the Ibiza experience, uplifting & enjoyable, it definitely didn’t go Pete Tong.

TC

Chris Difford (with Boo Hewerdine)

St Mary's Church, Barry - 28/11/2019

I wouldn’t say Chris Difford is a glutton for punishment, but hardly fresh from a gruelling USA/UK tour, he's back on the road with his 'Not only Chris Difford but also Chris Difford' tour described perfectly as 'A bit of sit down with a bit of stand up'.

Apart from being a co-founder of the band Squeeze, Difford is a Grammy nominated and double Ivor Novello Award winning lyricist, lyrics being his real forte and something he's excelled at since a very early age.

Not that he's any slouch when it comes to music and his solo work and collaborations with people such as Boo Hewerdine (The Bible) and Gary Clark (Danny Wilson) are at the very least equal to his Squeeze output, though more personal and seemingly from the heart.

Adding to the accomplishments listed above he's also become a bit of a raconteur, especially since the publication of his 'warts and all' book of his life in music 'Some Fantastic Place' a cracking read and difficult to put down.

Opening the evening with a bit of chat leading to questions from the audience, it was interesting to hear Difford's take on his career, big moments, and what was the inspiration behind some of his well-know songs.

Each song had a story, whether it be trying to get Cliff Richard to cover 'Another Nail In My Heart' and in doing so, some very welcome royalties in the process to how 'Cool For Cats' was inspired by watching Benny Hill on the television and a chance meeting in a London pub.

The evening's opener, 'Electric Trains' gives the audience insight to what he describes as a wonderful childhood of fun and games, and music. Who would have thought that the Sound of Music would be pivotal to his musical upbringing yet this to was added to the list of his sonic inspirations as he sings “From Julie Andrews to Jerry Garcia.”

Aided and abetted by the equally excellent Boo Hewerdine on guitar and backing vocals, who also provided the evening's support, it was a master-class of British song writing at its very best. Acoustic versions of Squeeze classics such as 'Tempted' 'Pulling Mussels From A Shell” and “Labelled With Love” interspersed with solo work like “Cowboys Are My Weakness” (rejected by KD Lang) and the sweetly nostalgic “Lamas Fayre”.

Songs take on a more soulful and charming uniqueness stripped down to just guitar and vocals and Difford's become quite an expert at spinning a good yarn whilst backing it up with songs of real quality.

It's shouldn’t be too long a wait for a return by the hardest working man in pop and certainly not one to be missed.