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The Arts

RISING BEAT: DJ WILSON NOIR IS TAKING THE SOUTH WALES DANCE MUSIC SCENE BY STORM

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Catch Wilson Noir at Castle Arcade on 16 and 17th October 1-3.30pm

CARDIFF, WALES — You can hear the history in the beat, but the energy is brand new. Wilson Noir isn’t just an emerging talent; he’s the direct, dynamic inheritor of South Wales club culture, and he’s lighting up dancefloors across the region.

Blending family legacy with a fresh underground edge, Wilson Noir is bringing new energy to the South Wales DJ scene — bridging the golden era of Catapult Records with the forward-thinking sounds that define his dancefloors today. Emerging from the heart of South Wales’ vibrant underground, Wilson Noir is fast becoming one of the region’s most exciting new DJ talents. Known for his playful, crowd-focused sets, Noir delivers a distinctive blend of vintage rhythms and modern electronic production, bridging old-school UK dance culture with today’s underground energy. Noir’s sound is the definition of New Old Cool — it’s a signature style that’s quickly making him one of the most talked-about names in the scene.

DEEP ROOTS IN THE UNDERGROUND

The store’s infamous in-store sessions became the stuff of local legend, hosting acts like Bonobo, Netsky, LTJ Bukem, Blame, Vibes, Nic Fanciulli, Drop Music, and High Contrast — who famously worked there and was discovered by Hospital Records in the basement. Known for its expert curation, Catapult helped shape the identity of Welsh club culture and nurtured countless local talents. Though its doors closed in 2014, its influence still echoes through South Wales’ dancefloors — celebrated in reunion events, online communities, and in the next generation of DJs like Wilson Noir, who carries forward that same DIY ethos, crate-digger curiosity, and commitment to keeping the dancefloor alive.

FULL CIRCLE: ARCADE RESIDENCY

Building on this legacy, this October, Wilson Noir returns to Catapult’s very first home in the Castle Arcade with a two-day residency for the City of Arcades Project, as part of the Cardiff Music City Festival. The festival — a two-week celebration of Cardiff’s thriving music scene — fills venues, clubs, and hidden corners with gigs, talks, installations, and pop-up performances. Designed to champion both international names and emerging local talent, it blends performance, education, and innovation to strengthen Cardiff’s live music ecosystem.

In collaboration, the City of Arcades Project shines a spotlight on the city’s Victorian and Edwardian arcades — once shopping streets, now cultural landmarks filled with independent shops, cafés, and creative spaces.

For Wilson Noir, performing within the Castle Arcade, where Catapult Records first took root, is a full-circle moment — a chance to bring his signature sound to the very heart of Cardiff’s musical heritage. The residency aligns perfectly with the festival’s spirit: connecting past and present, heritage and innovation, while celebrating the enduring energy that continues to drive South Wales’ electronic music scene.

Wilson Noir said:

“Growing up around Catapult Records, I could feel how music brought people together. Every set I play is about capturing that energy and creating something new on the dancefloor. To play in the Castle Arcade—where it all began—is surreal.”

Ruth Cayford, Head of Creative Industries and Culture Development at Cardiff Council, added:

“Wilson Noir embodies the spirit of Cardiff’s evolving music scene. His deep-rooted connection to the city’s musical heritage, combined with his innovative approach, makes him a perfect fit for this year’s festival. We’re thrilled to see the next generation, supported by groups like Sound Progression, taking the lead.”

SUPPORTING THE SCENE

Noir’s journey is championed by Valé, the popular South Wales streetwear label, a partnership that underscores the connection between local music, fashion, and creative culture. As a member of Sound Progression, Cardiff’s youth music development organisation supported by the Ed Sheeran Foundation, Noir is an integral part of the next generation — shaping Cardiff’s electronic music scene with bold creativity and unstoppable energy.

Catch Wilson Noir at Castle Arcade on 16 and 17th October 1-3.30pm
For more information about Cardiff Music City Festival, go to cardiffmusiccity.wales

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Immersed Festival 2025 – TODAY AT TRAMSHED!

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Immersed Festival 2025: Cardiff’s month-long celebration of creativity and sustainability

Poster for Immersed Festival 2025

By Tamana Ahmad

A celebration of music, film, art and sustainability is the promise from the seventh edition of Cardiff’s Immersed Festival, which has its main event at Tramshed TONIGHT (Saturday 22 March 2025).

The night’s main attraction is Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, a rap and production pair making their Wales debut. Electronic DJ/producer Douvelle19 and Manchester electro-pop group Porij are two more noteworthy performers. The festival’s dedication to presenting new and varied talent is demonstrated by the lineup, which features a blend of rock, rap, punk, hyperpop, grime, and dance.

The month-long student-led festival, organized by over 500 students from the University of South Wales (USW), runs until April 3. The festival’s main event, which features over 30 acts on four themed stages, will take place at Tramshed Cardiff from 3pm to 11pm on Saturday (March 22).

The Festival is more than just music

Immersed Festival provides a varied cultural programme all through March in addition to live acts. Film screenings, art exhibits, and fringe performances are available to attendees. The festival is more than just a music gathering thanks to these activities, which foster artistic exploration and teamwork.

A band playing on stage, with a guitarist singing at the front

“Immersed has grown into a major event in the UK music calendar and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team at USW and the students.” Lewis Jamieson, Music Declares Emergency, the industry’s campaigning climate change charity.

Education and Industry Networking

Immersed Festival also acts as a centre for education and professional growth. Digital storytelling, lighting design, and sustainability in the music industry are just a few of the subjects that will be covered in a series of free seminars taught by masters in the field. More than 40 exhibitors will be present at the Creative Industries Careers & Network Fair on Thursday March 20, offering networking possibilities to professionals and students wishing to enter the field.

A careers fair table at a university

“Immersed 2025 is a powerful testament to the creativity, innovation and commitment of our students to address the biggest challenge of our time. Thorough the lens of Regeneration, this year festival is not just a celebration of music, art, and fashion – it’s a call to action.” Adam Williams: Dean of the faculty of business & creative industries at the University of South Wales.

At the heart of sustainability

Immersed Festival is distinguished by its dedication to environmental stewardship. Through its partnership with Music Declares Emergency, the event encourages the creative sectors to adopt sustainable practices. A commitment to reconsidering, repairing, and reconstructing for a more environmentally friendly future is shown in the concept of “Regeneration.”

A success story driven by students

Immersed Festival is a stellar example of experiential learning and creativity. It gives students a chance to contribute to Cardiff’s cultural landscape while gaining practical experience.

Get involved

Tickets for the March 22 event at Tramshed are available on the festival’s official website. For the full schedule and updates, visit immersedfestival.co.uk.

Whats on

Live review: The Stylistics, New Theatre, Cardiff, 12 November 2024

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The Stylistics brought their timeless soulful charm to the New Theatre on 12 November as part of their Greatest Hits Tour. The iconic Philly Soul group – who have been through a number of line-up changes during their 56 years of performing – delivered a glorious evening of greatest hits and plenty of nostalgia.

It was evident from the average age of the crowd that I was a couple of decades too young to be a real Stylistics fan (almost everyone else there that I spotted who were under the age of 50 seemed to be accompanying parents or grandparents). And it’s true – I only discovered Philly Soul at all during an extended virtual YouTube crate dig during lockdown. The lush string arrangements and comforting harmonies were a real balm for me during lockdown (which already feels like a lifetime ago). While I might not have been harking back to discos in the 1970s, seeing the Stylistics live was still a bit of a nostalgic experience for me.

Before we get to the band, I want to mention the support act – an “El-Tom John project” fronted by Tom Cridland. Tom apparently learned to play the piano during lockdown, specifically to play Elton John songs and tour them around the world. He’s also the presenter of The Greatest Music of All Time podcast (and fashion designer with his own sustainable fashion label?). He’s unfathomably tall and wearing a suit covered in sparkly stars, and warms the crowd playing a series of early Elton classics on a keyboard.

My 70 year old mother (who is my date for this outing) comments, rather unkindly, I think, “don’t give up the day job”. But she’s lucky enough to have enjoyed Elton as a performer throughout her whole life (I really only got him from the second outing of Candle in the Wind onwards). I still don’t like Candle in the Wind, but I do listen to Tiny Dancer on repeat for the whole of the next day.

Then it’s time for the main event. Advertised as a Greatest Hits Tour, the group doesn’t disappoint, with a show packed full of “old school disco bangers”, as the lady from Ebbw Vale sat behind me calls them. 

Formed of two members of the original line up (Airrion Love and Herb Murrell) and two “newer” members (Bo Henderson and Jason Sharp), the group shoops, boops, and sways gently through 85 minutes of classics. Their choreographed dance moves are impeccably timed (although having been performing as a band for 56 years, you’d hope they’d have got the timings down for these). They bring the house down with You Are Everything, along with other classics I’m Stone In Love With You and Can’t Give You Anything (But My Love) (which was a hit single in the UK back in 1975). 

My personal favourite is Betcha by Golly Wow, which follows a little preamble with the band talking about how long they’ve been performing and touring, and how old they are now (and how, with the help of “that little blue pill”, everything still works – just not the way it did when they were 50. There are screams and whoops of laughter and delight that ring around the venue, as you might imagine).

Even with the two original members performing at the ripe age of 75, the band are still oozing charisma and charm (and can we talk about the vocals? It’s like having double cream poured into your ears). I’m guessing the dance moves are probably a little less enthusiastic than they were 40 years ago, but they’re still delivered with style. By the end of the show, pretty much the entire crowd is on their feet, clicking their fingers, clapping, swaying, and singing along. It’s a feel-good show that proves The Stylistics are still one of the greatest soul groups of all time. For soul fans of all ages, if you get the chance to catch them on tour, I recommend it.

The City

Found Out There – in Cardiff Market

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Hello friends. We were wandering through the Cardiff indoor market the other day (aren’t all the new food places WONDERFUL??) when we came across a young man who described himself as a public typist – improvising stories for people on a little typewriter.

We were most taken with this idea, so here’s a little feature on Adam of Found Out There.

My name is Adam. I am a public typist. I travel the island improvising stories on a typewriter for people in public. I’ve made a little cabin of wonder in Cardiff Market where I’ll be typing stories until Christmas. 

You are welcome to give me three random words, the name for a character and I’ll type you a unique story as you wait. Lovely as gifts for children, adults, friends, family or for yourself. 

A basket of novels written by Adam Houlton

Between now and the end of the year, my opening hours will be:

Monday – Thursday 11 – 5
Saturday 11 – 5

I’ll be participating in the Night of The Arcades on the 15th November and my hours will change in December to include the extras Sundays the market will be open.

People can also order stories via my website if they can’t attend the market in person: Found Out There.

https://www.foundoutthere.com/story

Thanks Adam! Be sure to stop him and see him if you find yourself in the market …

Peace and vibes

WAC x

Whats on

Sŵn Connect 2024 – the music industry conference reimagined – free tickets!

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As well as the main Sŵn festival this year, Sŵn also presents their reimagined music industry conference, Sŵn Connect. And you can get FREE tickets with the code below!

Do you (or anyone you know! want to get into the music industry, get booked for festivals, or broaden your industry contacts? There’s an amazing programme running through Sŵn Connect. Designed for the public, artists, budding industry professionals, delegates and Sŵn Festival ticket holders – the event seeks to bridge the gap between emerging Welsh artists and industry professionals. It offers a platform for sharing expertise with peers across Wales and the UK, in an industry that lacks a definitive guide.

The conference will be held at Cornerstone, Cardiff, on Friday October 18th and Saturday October 19th, featuring a combination of insightful panel discussions, keynote interviews, and networking meet-ups.

GIVE ME THE FREE PASSES PLS!!!!

Due to space, these passes are limited – so get a shift on and secure yours NOW – Sŵn Connect free passes and use the code CONNECTFREE.

You can find full information on the full information on Sŵn Connect on the Sŵn website.

Read on for a breakdown of everything happening … but trust us, it looks WICKED so book your tickets NOW!

CONNECT PANELS

The Connect panels run between 12pm – 4pm on both Friday 18 and Saturday 19 October at Cornerstone (check the website for a simplified breakdown of the Connect panels). Panelists range from high profile UK booking agents, radio producers, festival bookers, promoters, A&R scouts, presenters, managers, entertainment lawyers, and so on. 

KEYNOTE DISCUSSIONS

Each day there is also a keynote discussion, which have been announced as “A Life In Radio: A discussion with Samantha Moy (head of 6 Music)” and ” and  “Artists in Discussion: Philip Selway (Radiohead) and Lily Fontaine (English Teacher).

MEET-UPS / MENTORING

There will also be meet-ups running alongside the panels in the Cornerstone cafe. These allow you to book in a 15 minute meeting with one of our 25 artist mentors, and in total there are 125 slots available. Links will be sent to all ticket holders next week – so if you’re interested, SIGN UP NOW!

MIXER 

Attendees will also receive an invitation to the Friday conference mixer, taking place at Porter’s. There will be complimentary drinks and pizza! You’ll be able to spend more time with the mentors, delegates, and the Sŵn team.

BUT WHO ARE THE MENTORS? 

The full list of mentors is available on the website, but below is a selection to give you an idea of who is attending. There are also still more to be announced!
Ed Lilo – booker for Latitude Festival
Sarah Joy – Agent for English Teacher, Yard Act, Katy J Pearson, Squid 
Ollie Hodge  – A&R scout who discovered the likes of Vaccines, Declan McKenna and Good Neighbours
Maria Torres – Management at Mother Artists managing Idles and SSTTFU 
Matthew Cooper – Agent for Dry Cleaning, Bug Club, Dream Wife, Hinds 
Jamal Gurhtie – Director at Wide Awake Festival and LNZRT (who book Moth Club and Shackewell Arms)
Alex Cull – Head of PR at Brace Yourself representing the likes of Ezra Collective, Bodega, Panic Shack
Dave Ball – Creative Wales music team working across funding applications with artists and industry in Internationally
Louisa Robinson – promoter at FORM, booking Mutations Festival, Pitchfork London
Dan Burgess – A&R at Domino Publishing, recently signed the likes of Lynks and Iglooghost to the Domino roster. 

Whats on

Sŵn Festival 2024!

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YOU GUYS Sŵn Festival is COMINGGGGG – it takes place this coming week, Thursday, October 17th – Saturday, October 19th (and honestly we’re grateful for having Sunday to recover!). Tickets are RUNNING LOW so this is your casual weekend reminder to get over to the Sŵn Festival tickets page and get yours nowwww.

This years venues include; Clwb Ifor Bach, Tramshed, Jacobs Antiques Market, Tiny Rebel, The Moon, Fuel, Mad Dog Brewery, and Cornerstone. We’d be insane to try and pick out the best gigs of the festival (although we will be pingponging between the ground and top floors of Clŵb for Mari Mathias / Half Happy / Wu-Lu etc etc) on Thursday, Tramshed on Friday for BuzzardBuzzardBuzzzard, Das Koolies and Jane Weaver) , and Jacob’s basement on Saturday for the DIY showcase and Fuel for IAmDrug.

Check the day splits here:

This year Sŵn is part of Cardiff Music City Festival, supported by Welsh Government and Cardiff Council – more info at the Cardiff Music City website.

As well as the main festival, Sŵn is also running their reimagined conference, Sŵn Connect. A two-day music industry conference offering bespoke networking opportunities that will run alongside Sŵn Festival. More on that in the next post …. STAY TUNED!

Peas

WAC x

www.wearecardiff.wales

We Are Cardiff Instagram

The Arts

New endeavour in Cardiff: Tracer Booking Agency – meet the team!

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Here at We Are Cardiff, we love hearing about new businesses and ventures thriving. Tracer Booking Agency are newly in town, and we had the chance to speak to the founder. Read on!

Introduce yourself

Hi, I’m Rich, a music promoter, musician and freelance venue representative from Birmingham, living in Cardiff.

I’ve been in the music industry for around 15 years as a musician, promoter, and fan. I am the guitarist in Cardiff based Hyper-Fuzz band Death Cult Electric, and previous ticketing manager for Orchard Live, as well as working freelance for Sŵn Festival on multiple occasions.

What was your motivation to start this new venture?

I’d been out of the promoting world since January 2023, where I was running Tone Deaf Creatures promotions (along with my business partner Ethan John who now runs HMG promotions. Shout out to Ethan!) and I felt now was the time to get myself back into doing what I love, bringing my favourite bands to Cardiff and try to run the best events I can.

I was working for Orchard Live, working on the biggest and best events Wales had to offer. These included Queens Of The Stone Age and Bryan Adams in Cardiff Castle throughout 2022/23 and I’d learned a lot from my time there from everyone I came in contact with. I felt I needed to put all of this into a project of my own.

Why did you choose the name ‘Tracer Booking Agency‘?

The name had been on my mind for a while, but had recently changed its meaning. The name represents tracing over everything I have done and learned in my 15 years of being in the music industry. Start with all of that expertise and skills I have picked up and then build a bigger picture from there.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

I have actually ‘Hassled the Hoff’ in a very bizarre situation including an angry taxi driver and a card company awards ceremony. That’s all you’re getting on that!

Any future plans for expansion?

I intend to move into artist management once I have a few more shows under my belt as Tracer Bookings, but I am always happy to offer advice to any musician or artist who needs it.

We will be expanding the team also, looking to bring in another person who has a passion for booking artists on tours and big support slots. Watch this space!

Any exciting upcoming gigs?

I’m super excited to be bringing one of my favourite bands, and good friends of mine, JOHNNY FOREIGNER to Clwb Ifor Bach on 12th June. Support comes from Cardiff favourites MY NAME IS IAN and Math-Pop newcomers GOOD THINGS (featuring members of SAMOANS, ROUGH MUSIC and MATTERS). Tickets are on sale via GIGANTIC and CLWB.NET.

Join the Facebook event here!

We are working behind the scenes on some exciting shows at a venue I’ve been looking forward  to be working with for some time, but you’ll have to wait for that!

How can people get in touch with you?

We are on Facebook and Instagram, and you can email us with you EPK or any press releases on TracerBookingAgency@gmail.com. I always love discovering new bands, so if you’re noisy, shouty, or have good riffs, please send them over!

Whats on

What’s occurring (over the May Day 2024 Bank Holiday weekend)

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Alright kids. There are a couple of COOL THINGS happening this weekend around Cardiff, so I’m doing a mini events guide. This is by no means exhaustive so please ADD YOUR EVENTS IN THE COMMENTS THANKSBYEEEEE.

FRIDAY 3 MAY

Porter’s Presents: em koko, The Shania Twainsaw Massacre & Klint Carmichaél

A great chance to visit the “new” location on Barrack Lane (okay not so new anymore but I haven’t been there yet, soooooo). Anyway. A great independent venue, go along and support – this is a FREE EVENT supported by Cardiff Council. Yes you heard!

@x.emkoko @shaniatwainsawmassacre1 @jungle_pepper22

“In Nowhere” EP Release Party

industrial dream pop / electronic / alternative / post-hardcore

20:00PM / FREE

SUPPORTED BY CARDIFF COUNCIL�
@cardiff_council @visitcardiff @cardiffmusiccity

LOST LANDS CINEMA – HUMAN TRAFFIC @ JACOBS ANTIQUES

Perennial classic which launched Danny Dyer directly into the hearts of the British public after his fabulously awkward wanking scene. Go watch it and lament miserably over how you saw it when it came out and how are you nearly 50 now??

HOFFI 4 – LUCAS ALEXANDER / MACE THE GREAT + GUESTS @ BUNK HOUSE

Some of you might remember the Bunkhouse on St Mary Street running banging nights in their basement waaay back in the day. They closed off the basement to non-residents for years, but suddenly they seem to be smashing out massive grimey nights again. Lovely little underground venue with a great line up, go headbutt the speakers and have a wonderful bubble.

SATURDAY 3 MAY

LOST LANDS CINEMA – TWIN TOWN @ JACOBS ANTIQUES

I know Jacobs are getting a double entry but what you gonna do they’re a total gem in the city. If you’ve not seen it, this classic retains its claim as the quintessential Welsh film (buy yer own feckin glue). Go buy a ticket NOW.

SUNDAY 4 MAY

PADDLEFEST (Cardiff International White Water Rafting Centre)

A full day of fun on the water and fun out of the water! Live music from Live Lounge, local food from the Farmers Pantry, coffee from Coffie Pass. This year’s Paddlefest features the first ever Welsh Championships Kayak Cross (an event that will make its Olympic debut in Paris this year) alongside the GB SUP and GB Canoe Slalom races.  If you’re going along for the day, there’s a load of taster sessions for you to book – Indoor Wave, Air Trail and SUP Tasters. The white water will be flowing all weekend.

MONDAY 5 MAY

CARNEDD OPEN DAY @ Ty Wilcox, Dunleavy Drive, CF110BA, Cardiff; 12:00-21:00

If you, like hundreds before you, ever temped for Cardiff Council in the 90s or 2000s, chances are you might have humped printer paper around or spilt tea pon de replay while wearing ill-fitting brown office shoes somewhere around the maze of dim corridors in Ty Wilcox. Today, this empty monument to 1980s instant coffee Welsh brutalism has been reimagined as a CREATIVE SPACE FOR GIGS. No really. The Carnedd collective is holding an open day there on Monday 5 May (the collective comprising of SHIFT, tactileBOSCH, Umbrella, and Dyddiau Du). Thanks to Xavier Boucherat’s Through the Night newsletter for the tip on this event).

The City, Whats on

Cardiff – join Spring Clean Cymru 2024!

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Is your Cardiff street like my Cardiff street? Littered with an assortment of kebab wrappers, empty baggies, and recycling bags stuffed full of actual waste that your neighbours keep leaving out? Keep Wales Tidy have got you.

They’re arranging Spring Clean Cymru on 15-31 March 2024 – and calling on people across Wales to join forces to collect and safely dispose of litter from our streets, green spaces and beaches.

The plan? Join in and pledge to pick up as much litter as you can during the campaign. You might choose to pick up just one bag, or you could set yourself a goal of collecting as many as you can.

Last year, an incredible 7,000 #LitterHeroes collected more than 4,000 bags of litter and recycling. Can we do even better in 2024? I could probably do that just from my street in Butetown. COME ON CARDIFF WE GOT THIS!

Whether you’re an avid litter picker or this is your first time joining for a community litter pick, pledge to pick up a bag – or more – today!

REGISTER YOUR CLEAN UP NOW!

More info:

Keep Wales Tidy – Spring Clean Cymru website

Keep Wales Tidy Facebook

Keep Wales Tidy Instagram

The Arts, Whats on

In It Together Festival announces line-up for 2024!

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Wales’ biggest festival ‘In It Together’ returns for a third year – Sugababes, Dizzee Rascal & Rag’n’Bone Man announced as headliners for 2024.

Words & Photography: Chloe Jackson-Nott

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.

Looking to treat yourself or someone you love for Christmas? Grab a weekend ticket for In It Together 2024.

The City

‘Ride me all day’ bus advert gets We Are Cardiff really angry – ads are withdrawn!

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‘Ride me all day’ bus pisses everyone off on a rainy Cardiff Monday morning

I was cycling down Cowbridge Road this morning, feeling very pleased with myself for not puking in the dentist’s chair, when I got stuck behind this bus:

aaaa

 

It said lots of things to me. It said that, in 2015, an advertising agency and ‘family-run’ company still found it acceptable to run this ad. It said that a bus journey needs to be sexualised in order to sell itself. It said that prostitution is something to be trivialised and joked about.

What it didn’t say is: “this company is for people like you”.

It was aggressive, offensive and impolite. After I tweeted about it at 9.30, we had literally hundreds of responses. Not from ‘bleeding heart, whiney liberals’, but from people who didn’t want this kind of advertising shoved in their face first thing in the morning.

We then found out that the company receive Welsh Government funding, and run school buses.

With our following of 30,000 people, we try not to use We Are Cardiff to express opinions, but we felt like we had an obligation to the women and men of the city to call this company out on the commodification of a woman’s body, and the trivialisation of prostitution.

The story was covered by the Guardian, the Huffington Post, the Independent, the Mirror, Western Mail and ITV, and by the Everyday Sexism campaign. Even the Daily Mail and Daily Star reported it! As a result of such incredible pressure, the company told Cardiff MP Stephen Doughty that it was a ‘misjudgement’, and that the adverts would be withdrawn within the day.

The company made a statement saying that the “objectives have been to make catching the bus attractive to the younger generation”. Do young people buy stuff because it uses prostitution as a marketing tool? We don’t think so!

Well done, people of Cardiff (and everywhere else), for making your voice heard and getting results.

Moral of the story: GET ANGRY AND GET SOMETHING DONE! Never stay quiet!!!

Big love from your We Are Cardiff women – Hana & Helia x