Nadolig Llawen to all you lovely, lovely folks out there. There have been a couple of useful posts in the Cardiff subreddit this week which I thought I’d share (and pull some info from) in case you’re looking for something to do on Christmas Day, a place to get coffee or food, or if you’re looking for something to eat and you’re on a low income or unwaged.
Here’s what we’ve found:
Lovely lovely Queer Emporium is open 16:30 – 19:00 for a couple of hours, for folks looking for somewhere warm and welcoming
The amazing Pink Kiwi is open and serving breakfast and lunch, coffee and cake free of charge 08:00-15:00.
Another amazing local organisation – Aubergine Cafe – are hosting Queersmas in Cathays, 14:00-20:00 – free to attend but you’re encouraged to book a ticket through their site (link in their Instagram)
Here are the two posts (more info about places that are open tomorrow on there. We also hear the following Cardiff Wetherspoons are open from 11-15:00 – The Ivor Davies, The Ernest Willows, The Aneurin Bevan, The Mount Stuart):
In It Together Festival will return to Old Park Farm, Margam in May 2024. Alongside the big three headliners over the weekend, they will be joined on stage with other names like Eurovision and Tik Tok star Sam Ryder, Newton Faulkner, Scouting For Girls, Blue and many many more!
Based in Wales, this festival is known for championing Welsh music and this year they continue to give local artists and names a place on their big stage. Artists like Eleri, Banshi, Niques, Half Happy and ADJUA have been given the opportunity to perform in front of a potential 50,000 people over the course of that weekend. An opportunity that doesn’t come lightly for smaller local artists from the Welsh valleys.
I spoke to these few artists and asked how they felt about being able to be part of In It Together:
“I’m feeling really excited about my first In It Together festival! I can’t wait to see all the amazing artists on the line-up as well!” – ADJUA
“I’m so excited to be playing In It Together again after playing at the first one in 2022. It’s amazing to have a festival of that scale bringing big artists to Wales, and the Paddock Stage with local artists alongside the big names is such a good idea!” – Eleri
“I used to want to perform at this festival and I set it as a goal to get on the line-up, so to be on it now feels so rewarding.” – Niques
Eleri photographed at Tramshed, Cardiff by Chloe Michelle Photography
Niques photographed at Porters, Cardiff by Chloe Michelle Photography
Encouraging local music artists is crucial for fostering a diverse and vibrant cultural landscape. These emerging talents often bring fresh perspectives and innovative sounds that may go unnoticed in mainstream channels. Supporting them not only helps nurture creativity but also contributes to the preservation of unique regional identities.
In It Together have selected more than fifty Welsh artists alongside their star-studded line-up in a celebration of Cymru’s grassroots talent. This grassroots support fosters a sense of community, encouraging a cycle of artistic inspiration that ultimately enriches the global music scene.
Professionally known as Annie Mac, the internationally renowned broadcaster and DJ visited Cardiff to spin some tracks at her event night ‘Before Midnight’.
As DJ Paulette warmed up the crowd, by 8:30pm, Annie Mac popped up behind the decks making her entrance and presence known through her mix. Starting off slow and wearing a black hoodie, she allowed the crowd time to get into the groove and prepare for a heavy next few hours of vibes.
As Annie took control of the decks, she electrified the crowd creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation of the next track. She created a journey of sound to keep the audience entranced and built up the sweat and good vibes as the night continued. Annie certainly knows how to keep the crowd under her spell as the audience responds with cheers and pumped-up dance moves for hours.
Outside her music, Annie is also an advocate for positive and inclusive change. Her popular podcast, ‘Changes with Annie Macmanus’ welcomes guests to chat openly about changes they’ve faced and challenges they’ve overcome.
With 20 years of work experience in her back pocket, Annie Mac has created a strong legacy as a key music industry figure championing female artists and the LGBTQ+ community in the space.
‘Her Before Midnight inclusive clubbing concept that she launched in Spring 2022 has proved hugely popular and sells out within seconds.’
Kids In Glass Houses, a Welsh five-piece rock band consisting of Aled Phillips, Andrew Sheehy, Iain Mahanty, Joel Fisher and Philip Jenkins. With their debut album Smart Casual turning 15 this year, they have reunited and are back on the road to bring nostalgia to the kids who have been fans since 2004.
The band announced their split back in 2014 where they played a final show on Halloween in Cardiff. On their current reunion tour, they have stopped off in Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Bristol and finally wrapping up in Cardiff. It felt incredibly fitting to watch Kids In Glass Houses perform on a Saturday in their home city of Cardiff, with The Nightmares as their support act.
The Nightmares are a four-piece band who describe their music as Noir Pop. The Newport band consists of Adam Parslow, Eleanor Coburn, Benjamin Mainwaring and James Mattock. With the staging set up in dark red, the band played songs from their discography with black roses attached to their microphone stands. Their vibe gave a gothic atmosphere with a melancholy crimson feel.
Kids In Glass Houses came onto the stage with bundles of energy. Aled Phillips was running around the stage and showing no sign of stopping until their set was complete. They opened with Fisticuffs and finished with Matters At All. The the eccentric dance moves from Aled, it felt like he was channelling his inner Elvis. With a sea of inflatable flamingos in the crowd, and the chanting of A.L.E.D, the final show on the tour really did end with a bang. The band were incredibly thankful that so many fans were still supporting them and selling out shows and how 15 years since Smart Casual was released has flown by. The band finished off by taking a photo with the audience and included a sign that read ‘BRB…Making A New Album!’
Okay so full disclosure, we are huge Minas fans over here. And we may be biased, but we think his artistic takeover at CULTVR on 17-18 November is going to be VIBES and you should buy tickets IMMEDIATELY if not sooner.
MINAS: WAITING ROOM @CULTVR
An immersive, story-driven live event by genre-busting Welsh Music Prize nominee, Minas.
Fresh off the back of a triumphant UK tour and Sŵn Festival closing set, and a Welsh Music Prize nomination for his debut solo album, All My Love Has Failed Me, Cardiff-based artist Minas presents Waiting Room – a narrative-led event featuring live music, 360-degree visuals and live performance.
The two-night Soundspace Sessions event at groundbreaking digital arts centre CULTVR is supported by Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and Cardiff Music Board and forms part of Cardiff Council’s Music Strategy.
Act One, on November 17th 2023, will feature live music from Tamarebi, Lily Webbe, Freddy Forbidden, Foxxglove, Half Happy as well as Minas himself.
Act Two, on the following night (November 18th) will see Grove, Shlug, Minas, Sorry Stacy, Razkid, Mogan, and Spit Hood perform, as well as a DJ set from Gemiiniize.
Speaking about the event, James Minas, said: “I’m so gassed about this event, it’s a chance to do something on a different scale to anything I’ve done before.
“I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s going to be kind of intense.
“The creatives I’ve been working with to put this all together have been immense, so talented and together I think we’ve created something that takes what we do live to a whole new level.”
A festival inspired by the instrument that connects us all – the voice
“Llais is Cardiff’s international arts festival, bringing artists and audiences together for incredible live music, thought-provoking performance and inspirational talks.”
Llais Festival began back in 2016 which saw a line-up of Van Morrison, Charlotte Church and Hot Chip. Last years line-up saw artists Cate Le Bon, Midlake and Pussy Riot take to the stage. For 2023, Llais Festival is bringing along The Staves, Bat For Lashes, Gwenno and many more!
(You might recognise Gwenno from the side of Clwb Ifor Bach on Womanby Street as a 38 metre mural!)
During the weekend of October 14-15, we managed to catch the sets of: Angharad Davies, Angeline Morrison, Gwenno, Clare Marie Bailey and Elaha Soroor. What a fantastic mixture of international sound and culture.
Angharad Davies – a Welsh experimental violinist demonstrating a psychedelic experience for the audience in the Cabaret bar. Angharad slowly approached the stage and setting the expectations of her performance. She performed a 52-minute solo violin piece from her single track album titled “Gwneud a Gwneud Eto / Do and Do Again.” The performance provided the room with a sense of meditation and enchantment. Angharad describes the violin as particularly intimate with an endless wealth of possibilities. The low repetitive drones and variety of high pitched scratches truly provided the audience with the psychedelic experience they were promised.
Angeline Morrison – with a focus on storytelling, Angeline performs elements of soul music, folklore, myth and the supernatural. Angeline Morrison’s 2022 album, The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of Black British Experience was voted Number One Folk Album of the Year in The Guardian. Angeline shared a touching story with the audience about how she was very close with her grandfather who had dementia. Her hypnotic performance interacted with the audience through precise storytelling. The audience were applauding the end of each song ready for the next.
Gwenno – this was a one- off performance exclusive to Llais Festival, titled ‘Tair Ton | Teyr Ton | Three Waves.’ We were told to expect a ‘sensory feast with added theatrics’ and that’s exactly what Gwenno treated us to. This performance celebrated her three albums with connecting themes and featured unheard live performances from her discography. Gwenno’s performance was filled with stunning lighting and graphics throughout giving the audience a show of visual satisfaction. The crowd came wearing their red hats and ready to be captivated with songs such as N.Y.C.A.W. and Men an Toll from her album, Tresor. Gwenno was a perfect wrap up act on Sunday at Llais Festival bringing along Welsh culture and voice at its finest.
“We’ll start a fire and burn some bridges and make it out of here tonight”
Welsh band, Funeral For A Friend took to the stage at Utilita Arena, Cardiff on Saturday October 14th for their penultimate show of the ‘Casually Dressed & Deep In Conversation’ tour.
From Bridgend, formed in 2001, the band is made up of Matthew Davies-Kreye, Kris Coombs-Roberts, Gavin Burrough, Darran Smith, Richard Boucher and Ryan Richards.
During their Cardiff show, they were joined by American rock band Dashboard Confessional and Welsh rock band Dream State as supporting acts.
Opening the show, Dream State, fronted by Jessie Powell, gave the crowd a rock show entrance they will never forget. Performing their first arena show, Dream State were incredibly thankful to be part of Funeral For a Friend’s anniversary tour. Despite the size of the arena and crowd, Jessie held up her horns and threw herself into the audience, creating her own pit. This Welsh rock band was the perfect start to get this show on the road. Chin Up Princess is a song that will be on repeat for a while.
Dashboard Confessional were second on stage just before Funeral For A Friend themselves. The American rock band opened up with Don’t Wait and continued into songs such as Saints and Sailors and Screaming Infidelities. Bringing the crowd back down to a calm and collected level, Dashboard Confessional were able to maintain interaction with the audience with a special song request from a band member. Chris Carrabba told the crowd that each night on the tour they choose to play a random song from their discography.
Just over 2 hours after doors officially opened, the main show started, Funeral For A Friend were greeted by loud screams from their hometown Welsh fans. They opened with Rookie of the Year and continued into Bullet Theory. Lead singer Matthew Davies-Kreye was lucky enough to celebrate his birthday on home turf during their Cardiff show. Fans were jumping, pits were opened and the band’s 20th anniversary tour was celebrated in style at the Utilita Arena in Cardiff.
For those tune lovers seeking out a night of solid entertainment in the city, we heartily recommend a night spent with Technicolour – the choir that brings you shows like no other!
Whether you’re seriously into musical theatre or a casual lover of a good sing-along, the Technicolour events are one of Cardiff’s best secret nights out. Think immersive theatre meets club night – a bit like Secret Cinema on a more intimate scale.
You’ll experience the power of a 120-member strong choir remixing show tunes, layering in their own special harmonies, and bringing you new fresh versions of classics. Their shows are colourful, vibrant, and full of energy.
For their next performance ATLANTIS (Sat 3 June, Cardiff Student Union – Atlantis tickets here), Technicolour invite you to get your glitter on and travel to a magical underwater kingdom, where you’ll be entertained by a rollercoaster of energetic vocal performances (think your favourite musical theatre hits – but in mash-up style). Then get your dancing shoes on for the afterparty, where the DJ spins up-beat party tunes and the festivities go all night long.
Each show is a unique experience (you’ll never see the same show twice), and the choir uses a variety of venues across the city to match the vibe of the performance.
Want to see a taste of what’s to come? Here’s a sneek peak at past show Masquerade …
St David’s Hall has found itself in the centre of public debate lately, as news broke last week that Cardiff Council was considering a proposal from a private firm, Academy Music Group, to take over ownership of the beloved concert venue. As of this writing, more than 15,000 people have signed a petition calling for St. David’s to be protected as a vital performance space for classical music in the heart of Cardiff.
On Monday November 28, as if to reinforce its importance to Cardiff’s vibrant cultural scene, St David’s hosted the Sinfonia of London, billed as a “super orchestra” of top musicians hand-picked by artistic director John Wilson. Originally established in 1955 chiefly as a recording orchestra, Wilson revived the orchestra in 2018 and in a few short years has propelled it to sold out concerts across the UK, not to mention reviews so universally gushing that they border on the hyperbolic. (The Sinfonia of London is not to be confused with the City of London Sinfonia– a case of absurdly confusing nomenclature worthy of a Monty Python skit).
Opening with William Walton’s boisterous comedy-overture Scapino, Wilson and his musicians established their trademark bold attack and swaggering virtuosity right off the bat. Walton composed the work in 1941 as a commission for the Chicago Symphony, home to one of the world’s great brass sections, and the Sinfonia brass negotiated the spirited music with ease. Wilson’s approach to conducting is remarkably economical and un-showy; like a master jockey, he can control this powerhouse ensemble with the lightest touch, and mostly knows how to stay out of their way.
The Sinfonia’s feel for panache and razzle-dazzle was on full display for Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Joining the ensemble was 26-year old British pianist Martin James Bartlett. Bartlett certainly has technical chops and musical charm to spare, but his Gershwin felt over-thought and overwrought. His playing was fussy and precious, with odd rubato choices that he perhaps thought sounded more “jazzy”. The sexiest, most impressive versions of the Rhapsody happen when the pianist relaxes into the pocket of the music, letting Gershwin’s bluesy growls and soaring skyscraper melodies speak for themselves.
The balance of the program was devoted to works by the French impressionists Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy. For this refined repertoire, Wilson’s approach needed more polish and shimmering French elegance. In both Ravel’s Valses Nobles et Sentimentales and Debussy’s La Mer, his focus on rhythm and impulsion created a sense of drama and cinematic excitement (at one point his baton went flying into the viola section), but it was too often at the expense of more nuanced orchestral colour and patient, sustained legato. The rarely performed original version of Ravel’s Bolero, composed in 1928 for the flamboyant Ballets Russes dancer Ida Rubinstein, sounded glaringly Spanish rather than achieving a more subtle effect of Spain viewed through a Frenchman’s wineglass. Some of the orchestral solos missed the mark here, in particular the tenor and soprano saxophones. Still, there was no denying the musicians’ visible enjoyment in performing this satisfying work, nor Wilson’s skill in allowing the dynamic tension to build until its explosive final flourish.
***
Natasha Gauthier has been writing about classical music in Canada and the US for more than 25 years. She is the former classical music critic for the Ottawa Citizen, in Ottawa, Canada. She currently writes for Early Music America Magazine, Opera Canada and Ludwig Van, among other online and print publications. In June she was a teaching fellow at the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She moved to Cardiff in September 2022 to complete a postgraduate degree at Cardiff Uni. When not attending concerts, she spends her free time here breathing in the sea air, admiring the clouds, learning Cymraeg and trying to make friends with the magpies.
Hey you guys … a big happy new year from all of us here at We Are Cardiff!
Just a quick note for any of you looking for ways to help out in 2022, check out the following …
CARDIFF AND VALE HEALTH BOARD ARE LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS!
Cardiff and Vale UHB are are currently accepting applications for Mass Vaccination Centre Meet and Greet Volunteers and Ward Befriender Volunteers. The Mass Vaccination Centres need you! (We’ve volunteered at the Jabs-R-Us in the Bay, so if you see us down there do come over and say hi!) More info: Cardiff and Vale Health Board – volunteering opportunities during COVID
WELSH BLOOD SERVICE ARE LOOKING FOR DONORS!
Is giving in your blood? There are currently empty slots at multiple donor sessions across Cardiff through January and February – plenty of locations from central (City Hall, Cardiff Uni) out to locations throughout the wards. More info: Welsh Blood Service – donor sessions in Cardiff
OTHER VOLUNTARY OPPORTUNITIES IN CARDIFF
The Cardiff Volunteer Centre has HUNDREDS of organisations that need volunteers – from drivers for delivering food and medicine, to admin support, to retail volunteers for charity shops. Find a way to make a difference in 2022! More info: Cardiff Volunteer Centre – volunteering opportunities 2022
If you’re a charity or community organisation reading this and you want to advertise any ways people can volunteer, please post in the comments!
Keep masking up Cardiff, you look absolutely fabulous.
Very exciting news for dads out there – DadFest 2021 is bring a weekend of activities and fun to Merthyr Mawr in September. Read on to find out more!
DadFest, the UK’s only ‘Festival of Fatherhood’, starts Friday 10 September at Candlestone Campsite, Merthyr Mawr, South Wales. This unique festival, now in its 8th year and previously awarded ‘Best Small Event in the UK’ by the National Outdoor Events Association, is organised by Dangerous Dads CIC.
DadFest is for dads, male carers and their children (of all ages) and takes place at Candlestone Campsite, Merthyr Mawr CF32 0LS from Friday 10th September to Sunday 12th September.
DadFest organiser and founder of Dangerous Dads CIC, Ian Blackwell, is thrilled about this year’s DadFest.
“Dads tell us how much they value getting back to nature, chilling-out and spending special time with their kids and other father figures. It’s all about having some adventurous fun with their children such as playing in the woods, building dens, exploring nature, camping and sharing campfire stories, especially after the lockdown. This year there will also be circus skills workshops, bushcraft activities, great food and lots more. Although we have run DadFest in Cornwall and Devon in the past, this is our first time in Wales, so it is an exciting moment for us and we are really looking forward to seeing lots of Welsh dads having fun in the woods and at the beach.”
“Candlestone Campsite is ideal as the site extends to 15 acres, and includes exclusive access to a further 40 acres of the adjoining wood in which to walk, play and explore. Unlike traditional campsites the site retains a very natural feel and incorporates lots of habitat for wildlife, and it is close to the UK’s highest sand-dunes, the river Ogmore and the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. DadFest has access to the 840 acre Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve, a rolling expanse of sand dunes, woodland and a mile of sandy beach. The site is 20 miles west of Cardiff, in the picturesque thatched village of Merthyr Mawr, and 5 miles from J35 of the M4, and 2.5 miles from Bridgend. It really is an ideal and beautiful location.”
The festival is renowned for its highlight event – the ‘World Dad Dancing Championship’, hotly contested by grooving dads, much to the sheer embarrassment of their kids. As the Official WORLD Dad Dancing ChampionTM, the winning dad claims all the bragging rights it brings but first someone needs to dad-dance their way to the winning trophy. A unique trophy and prize awaits the winner.
DadFest 2021 will provide a range of activities including archery, storytelling, bat walks, bushcraft skills, campfire cooking, den building, circus skills, nature trails, live music, award winning beer & food, and more… Everything at DadFest is run by qualified, experienced leaders who are fully insured and all risk assessments are in place.
DadFest is a small, safe, and intimate festival focused on outdoor activities. Our aim every year is to get Dads and their children out and about in nature… especially after a year of being cooped up inside. This event will be COVID-secure but please do talk to us if you have any concerns or questions.
Adult Ticket – £85, children 6 and up – £40, children under 6 – £20. All activities and camping space are provided as part of every ticket. Food tickets available that entitles you to six hot meals, as well as water, juice, tea, and coffee as needed all weekend.
This years graduating cohort at the University of South Wales Fashion & Advertising department have launched a graduation show with a difference. They’ve taken the show outside and city wide this year in the form of a ‘street gallery’, we love the idea!
The street gallery going up on Newport Road
If you’re out and about around Cardiff over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for the student work, its added a lot of colour across the city. You can see work from students studying Fashion Marketing and Business, Fashion Design, Fashion Promotion and Advertising Design. You can find the street gallery on Newport Road, St Andrews Place, Clare Road, Grangetown and Cathays. Each poster carries a QR code that leads you to more view student work. Its something worth keeping your head up for while you’re enjoying the city.
We Are Cardiff 