For 20 years BBC 6 Music has graced our airwaves and paved the way for many incredible artists. It’s been an outlet for those wanting to get their alternative music fix; where Radio 1 may have failed them by going too pop in recent years. It provides that edge that other stations are lacking nowadays and the wide genres available also makes it one of the most accessible ones out there. Their annual festivals have highlighted the most exciting musical acts in recent years and this year is no exception.
This year the welsh capital has the pleasure of hosting this prestigious event and the vibe around the city is palpable. Posters and banners are up months before the gigs actual start and tickets across the board sell out within minutes. You’ve everything from punk and folk indie to jazz and hip hop with both local welsh artists and oversees talent; there is something for everybody. What is most encouraging to see amongst this diversity is the fact that for a festival; there is pretty much an even split of male and female artists performing over the weekend; something of a rarity these days and for that alone it should be commended and celebrated.
32 years ago a little known Blackwood based band were due to play the famous Clwb Ifor Bach in the centre of the capital. However, at the 11th hour they had to pull out, as a record contract was offered to them and needs must. In the decades since the Manic Street Preachers have headlined festivals and sold out stadiums and arenas around the world and are still going strong to this day. On the Thursday night, they finally return to the venue they were supposed to play all those years ago, in what is surely to be their most intimate gig they’ve performed since those early days.
The lucky 200 odd people inside; some of which have been queuing outside during the day are eagerly anticipating something special and that is exactly what they get. The opening chords of “Motorcycle Emptiness” ring so loud in the venue that you feel as though the roof itself may take off. Within just over an hour, we go through over 30 year’s worth of material with rare cuts including “Methadone Pretty”, being played for the first time since 1992 to the opener of their latest record “The Ultra Vivid Lament” in the form of “Still Snowing In Sapporo”.
However what’s probably most surprising given their extensive back catalogue is the inclusion of Madonna’s “Borderline” which shocks everyone in the room, but they are all no less entertained by what they see. In the many times I’ve been to Clwb in the past, I don’t think that I’ve ever heard a sound as large as that of hearing the likes of “You Love Us” and “A Design For Life”. Yet despite being an arena sized act, they fit so comfortably into these walls and it doesn’t feel out of place at all. Bassist Nicky Wire afterwards stated that he felt as though he was back in the early 90’s again and I think it’s clear to see that everybody involved was enjoying every minute of it.
Despite the Fringe events and the Manics playing on the Thursday, Friday is considered to be the “start” of the festival with the Brit Award winning Little Simz headlining St David’s Hall. However, in the Student Union, one of the most influential bands of all time are kicking off proceedings. Much like the aforementioned Manics, you’d rarely see a band the size of the incredible Pixies playing in a venue to only around 1,000 people. A good half of their set is filled with songs from the iconic Doolittle and the likes of “Debaser” and “Monkey Gone To Heaven” naturally draw some of the biggest reactions.
Brand new single “Human Crime” gets its live debut but is unannounced with any particular fanfare, such is the way they’ve always done it. They are straight down the line and get the job done in the best possible way. This is particularly evident on U-Mass; which is straight up, no-nonsense, balls to the wall rock with Black Francis screaming his lungs out. The woman behind me thinks he could do with a lozenge and she isn’t wrong. The energy that they can still exude can’t help but just put the biggest smile on your face whilst you’re banging your head along.
They’re still not afraid to take their foot off the gas though, there aren’t many songs like “Where Is My Mind” which can resonate with so many people all at once. Closing with the triumphant “Planet Of Sound” the applause lasts for a good few minutes afterwards and it feels as though we’ve had our headliners already.
Idles have been championed by 6 Music and Steve Lamacq from their early days. Much has been said about the band; their lyrical approach with some even considering them somewhat of a novelty act. This is strongly not the case and is evident on the material from their fourth and most recent album “Crawler”.
The set opens with “MTT 420 RR” whose ominous drones pummel through the speakers of the Great Hall. Talbot asks “Are you ready for the storm?” and when the drums kick in, it’s clear that I wasn’t! Car Crash is as heavy as you would expect with a title like that. This brooding version of Idles feels more mature and a departure of their days of quoting pop culture references in unique situations. That’s not to say they still don’t do that and have a lot of fun with it; “Mr Motivator”, “The New Sensation” and “Never Fight A Man With A Perm” in particular get the raucous crowd moving. They’ve certainly earned their status as one of the UK’s most loved bands of the moment and that trend doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.
There aren’t many other UK live acts doing the circuit that are as exciting as “Sports Team”. They feel as though they are picking up the post-punk baton from Art Brut in the 00’s and running at full speed to the masses. You won’t find many as snazzily dressed as frontman Alex Rice dons a sparkling pink sequined suit that I’m must admit am slightly envious over. Their debut “Deep Down Happy” was infamous with its tight chart battle with Lady Gaga back in 2020.
It clearly had a big impact on the fans as evident in the pits that open up during “Fishing” and don’t stop even until the end of “Staton” where Rice lays out christ-like atop of all of the arms in the busy crowd. The energy that exudes from him and the band is second to none and the sense of fun is not lost in their brand new material. The upcoming “Gulp” due in July is likely to have the same infectious charm their debut had if the songs tonight are anything to go by. The already released “R Entertainment” is a slice of indie gold and “The Drop” betters it again later on in the set which is one of the most enjoyable over the weekend.
Bloc Party arrive in Cardiff having been away for several years, but now back with a brand new album “Alpha Games” due to be released at the end of this month. Despite a loyal fanbase, it’s fair to say that their previous effort “Hymns” didn’t really strike a chord and fell somewhat short of the high standard they set with their earlier material. Much to the enjoyment of many, but frustration of others, the set is made up of almost all new songs; with a lot of them going down well, but others not so much.
With no introduction they immediately start with “Day Drinker”, something that starts slowly but the more it goes on the better it gets with the final minute showcasing a nice breakdown being a particular highlight. This high level is maintained with the first new single they released “Traps”. The pounding bass absolutely gallops through and is a song that encapsulates everything that is great about the band; their quirky time signatures mixed with heavy beats.
But on the flipside, there’s “The Girls Are Fighting” which unfortunately feels incredibly flat. The song itself fails to get into gear and doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Any energy that has been built up in the songs prior to it is immediately lost; with a couple of fans trying to get something going, yet it feels half hearted. When you compare it to the likes of songs such as “Banquet”, “This Modern Love” and “Helicopter” they feel like worlds apart. It’s in the later songs that it really starts to whip up the crowd and really get the energy going.
Wet Leg arrive in Cardiff Sunday night with a shedload of anticipation and buzz before their debut album drops at the end of this week. They’ve already conquered the US and have won the hearts of the British public with their cheeky and playful indie tunes. Something about them tonight makes me think, what if the two girls from the film “Ghost World” formed a band? Their quirky sensibility as shown with their twirling pirouettes during “Too Late Now” or their childish giggling with accidently swearing during set highlight “UR Mum”.
Since releasing their hit single “Chaise Longue” last summer; their trajectory has skyrocketed and already they are selling out tours pretty much instantly. Whilst the charm is certainly there, there’s still a little roughness around the edges that will no doubt be tightened up from the multiple festival dates later this summer.
Already coming off of the back of an incredibly successful year, Rebecca Taylor aka Self Esteem arrives on stage having just recovered from a spout of illness; however, you wouldn’t be able to notice that. The songs from last year’s “Prioritise Pleasure” are performed with aplomb and panache with the synchronised dance routines. Despite a lot of the crowd being there for the headline act; she certainly wins the crowd over with the punters surrounding me being really impressed with what they see.
Even an ignorant heckler cannot detract from a special moment during the incredibly intimate “John Elton”. As everyone is silent; accompanied by her backing singers she takes to the front of the stage and delicately sings in what is undoubtably one of the highlights of the festival. The tribal drums of “How Can I Help You” emphasises the energy and charisma on stage where “The 345” genuinely has people emotional and sobbing in the crowd. It’s been a long time coming but the hard work has finally paid off, with larger tours coming soon along with sets at many high profile festivals this summer including Glastonbury.
The final act of the weekend within The Great Hall is the iconic Johnny Marr who rattles through a set of new hits along with a few of the classics. Naturally the biggest reactions come from “Smiths” songs including “Bigmouth Strikes Again” and “Panic”. However, “Getting Away With It” from his “supergroup” Electronic and a cover of Depeche Mode’s “I Feel You” get some of the biggest reactions of the night.
What’s encapsulated by this evening and throughout the festival is the way that all music both new and old is celebrated. Sets from fresh new welsh bands such as “Panic Shack” and “Adwaith” are lauded just as much as those from the likes of “Pixies” and “Marr”. That’s not even mentioning the multiple other venues across the city that showcased memorable performances from “Father John Misty” and “Khruangbin”. I know that whilst my time at the festival was one thing, somebody else would have had a completely different experience. Whilst I was already bowled over by what I had seen over the weekend, I’ve since discovered more and more from talking to people and catching up on the sets that I’ve missed.
All in all I just wanted to say thank you 6 Music for keeping new music alive and thriving over the last 20 years. Here’s to the next few decades!
Sets from the weekend can be caught on iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/eggrn3