It’s close to 30 degrees outside and before even heading into the venue, the beer garden is packed with revelers enjoying the start of their Bank Holiday Weekend. You can tell from the off that this is going to be a fun night. It may feel even warmer inside Cardiff’s Tramshed but that doesn’t matter.
We’re treated to a great early set from indie group Novacub. Having only been on the scene for around a year they’ve already started to make a name for themselves performing at festivals including 2000 Trees and supporting acts including The Futureheads and Kaiser Chiefs . It’s clear to see why as their extremely charming sound is fizzed with a great deal of energy.
They share a lot of DNA with Bloc Party not only with their singer Louise Bartle and guitarist Russell Lissack but also in their sound. “I Still Need It” has a chorus reminiscent of the former in the best possible way. “We Don’t Care” sees them at their “angriest” with Bartle spitting out vocals over a megaphone and one can’t help but bop along. There’s a real likeability about this band that you just can’t help falling for.
When it comes to the headline act, it feels like a 90’s nostalgia trip in the best possible way. I never properly listened to Ash until I was in my mid teens, yet the sound and the atmosphere take you back to a certain time and location. “Lose Control” opens up proceedings and from the off the sound is great. All three musicians are performing with a tightness that clearly comes from over two decades as a band.
We’re treated to a look through the post twenty odd years throughout the setlist from the sing along of “Oh Yeah” to the full on ballsy rock of “Orpheus” all of the while still having the energy of three teenagers from Ireland. “Kung Fu” is also an early highlight in the set and clearly shows that they are all still having a lot of fun with what they do. “Numbskull” is dedicated to a fan in the crowd whom they visited in hospital as teenagers and is a really touching sentiment during the evening.
From the newer material “Buzzkill” and “Did Your Love Burn Out” from their latest album “Islands” are the standouts with the former particularly going down very well with the crowd. But most of these fans have been with Ash since the beginning and the biggest reactions come with “Girls From Mars” and set closer “Burn Baby Burn”. The people here don’t care that it is baking hot and they are covered in sweat, they are still going to dance and dance they do! If tonight’s set shows anything, it’s that they aren’t finished yet and we are likely to see them a lot more going forward in the future.