SWN Fest
Some people have called Huw Stephens the new John Peel. Fittingly, the day after Huw’s very own new music festival was the fifth anniversary of John’s death. I’m sure he would have approved wholeheartedly of the previous days’ events.
Based in Cardiff and spread over a handful of venues across the city, SWN is part of a growing list of multi-venue urban festivals. What sets it apart from Camden Crawl, Stag & Dagger etc however, is its line up. You’ll be hard pressed to find a band that’ve graced the front cover of any major magazine on the bill, the organisers instead opting for the oft overlooked and, in most cases, the more interesting and exciting prospects on the new music horizon. Consequently, the three days spent wandering the streets of Wales’ first city is rewarding and well worth the aching limbs you’re left with when it’s over. Here’s my top five bands that all played their part in making SWN 09 one hell of a party.
5. Y Morgrug
Ever wondered what Blur would have sounded like had they formed when they were 12 years old and written songs exclusively in Welsh? Y Morgrug are the answer. Give it ten years and they’ll be living in very big houses in the Welsh countryside, running for MP for Aberystwyth, making cheese and forming cartoon bands.
4. TEETH!!!
TEETH!!!’s set is slightly marred by sound issues but when they make glitchy electro-punk this good, the quality is bound to shine through. ‘We’re ill, don’t come too close’ cries singer Veronica SO between songs but really, whatever they’ve got, I want it.
3. Girls
This is possibly the biggest draw of the weekend. The tiny room in Y Fuwch Goch has been packed pretty much since doors and there’s a lengthy queue outside of people praying to get in. With such levels of anticipation, you’ve got to hope you won’t be let down. As if Girls would ever do that to us. Playing the majority of their sunkissed-west-coast-USA-guitar-pop debut record, they keep chat to the minimum relying on the songs to do the talking instead. Halfway through, ‘Lust for Life’, contender for single of the year, has drunken middle-aged men screaming ‘tuuuune!’ until they’re hoarse and everyone else looks like they’ve just realised how special this band is.
2.Tubelord
‘You should all release at least one album,’ advises Dave Catmur, drummer of Kingston’s Tubelord, here showcasing their debut record ‘Our First American Friends’ as well as new bassist Damien Gabet. Playing the middle of the afternoon probably isn’t the most ideal of situations but Tubelord don’t seem to care. ‘Night of the Pencils’ and ‘I am Azerrad’ shine through as the trio twist and turn about the small stage, whilst the banter from behind the kit is worth the admission price alone. If only all bands were like Tubelord; the world would be a much happier place.
1. The Drums
If 2010 doesn’t belong to Girls, it’ll be because The Drums have waltzed into view and stolen everybody’s hearts with their 50s melodies and Morrissey-esque choreography. Hand Jonathan Pierce a bunch of gladioli and wipe the smile off his face and you’ve got yourself the perfect tribute. Like Girls, The Drums are no strangers to buzz. Boy George was at their first London show, gushing over them and calling them rent boys. They’re the band that everyone at SWN cites as a must-see, so when it comes to show time it’s a bit confusing why upstairs in Dempsey’s isn’t packed to the rafters. Who really cares though, when those who were there can be safe in the knowledge they’ve witnessed the most exciting new band to come out of anywhere in a very long time. According to the band they only write songs about two feelings; ‘One is the first day of summer when you and all of your friends are standing on the edge of a cliff watching the sun set and being overcome with all of your hopes and dreams at once. The other is when you're walking alone in the rain and realize you will be alone forever.’ When that creates songs like ‘I Felt Stupid’ and ‘Let’s Go Surfing’, how could you ask for anything more?
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