The MMP - May 2012 Issue by The MMP

MMP the

The definitive guide to music in Wales

MAY-12

BASTIONS

North Walian hardcore noisemakers

PALOMINO PARTY

Fast-rising, youthful indie art-rock visionaries

DRYMBAGO

Afrobeat in Bangor, you say? Hell yeah!

CATAPULT RECORDS

Cardiffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DJ mecca discussed with owner Simon Thomas COVER ARTWORK: REBECCA RHOSYN PETTS-DAVIES

BASITONS_06

DRYMBAGO_08 PALOMINO PARTY_10

PUBLISHER

Aimee-Jade Hayes MMP Creative Ltd

EDITORS

Rowan Liggett, Simon M. Read,

ONLINE EDITOR

Morgan Applegarth

LISTINGS EDITOR

Matthew Pasternakiewicz

LIVE REVIEW EDITOR

Joe O’Connell

WRITERS

Jennifer Allan, Morgan Applegarth, Joel Dear, Emma Gould, Max Hicks, Jamie Neasom, Joe O’Connell, Matthew Pasternakiewicz, Jim Swidenbank, Sion Trefor, Adam Whitmore

Girl & Boy Studio www.girlandboystudio.co.uk

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER:

Paul Roberts

CONTACT

General: info@themmp.tv Advertising: ads@themmp.tv Listings: listings@themmp.tv www.themmp.tv twitter.com/themmp

COVER ILLUSTRATION BY:

Rebecca Rhosyn Petts-Davies

MAY 2012 CONTENTS 04 MUSIC NEWS News and round up of all the musical happenings in and around Cardiff 06 EXPOSURE Meet this month’s featured artists! 12 INDUSTRY INTERVIEW Interview with music industry linchpins. 14 LISTINGS All the goings on from Cardiff’s music venues this month 26 REVIEWS The month’s new albums, singles and demos. 28 MMP EXTRA Get yourselves to themmp. tv for even more reviews, competitions and news! 28 DOWNLOADS Join our Download Society and enjoy free downloads! 28 COMPETITION Win free stuff! 30 SPOTLIGHT Monthly column highlighting issues affecting music in Wales.

ear sirs, madams, Here we find ourselves nearing the middle of 2012. And doesn’t it feel like it’s just been musically peachy so far? We’ve had new releases flying through the letterbox with such ferocity, we’ve had to take cover beneath the desks. There’ve been more awesome gigs than our collective power combined could shake a stick at convincingly. New bands have been popping their heads up like whack-a-rats in the city’s beautiful set of venues. And now, dear readers, we are on the cusp of festival season with Wales’ line up still looking remarkably strong, more of which is discussed in the column at the back. Take the tent out. Give it a shake. Chase out the hibernating spiders with a feather duster. Load up the cheap cider in the caddy and let’s kick this party in the nethers! So let us bask in this beautiful fiesta that we call summer. Sure, it will rain. It will blow. It may even snow but, our Lord, it will be god damn incredible. Because on those moments where the sun breaks through, and this country’s hills, valleys and rivers glow in a wave of yellowish light; there is nothing finer. Enjoy it while it lasts! The MMP xxx

THE MMP

04 | NEWS MAY 2012

MUSIC NEWS

JOSEPH & DAVID BECOME DANCING YEARS Cardiff folk act popularly known as Joseph & David have changed their name to Dancing Years in a bid to give wider acknowledgement to the full band who began touring with the duo after their debut EP release. “This marks the start of our journey as Dancing Years. The musical direction remains the same, as does the band you have come to know live and on record.”

MUSIC ON THE AGENDA FOR TRADE MISSION TO INDIA

MUSIC INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND

The brainchild and engineer behind Wales’ premier mastering studio has embarked on a brokering mission to Mumbai lead by the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones. Donal Whelan of Hafod Mastering formed part of the delegation - which consisted of Welsh businesses and academics - that travelled to the Indian state capital in a bid to forge new relations for musicians and the creative industries in Wales and India. Speaking at a reception event, Whelan said: “To come here as part of an official delegation has really brought Wales alive in the imagination of my Indian clients. “It’s great to have our First Minister out here to help put Wales on the map and to stimulate more business between India and Wales.” Mr Jones lead talks in New Dehli and Mumbai with representatives from the

Applications are now open for the Music Industry Development Fund. Provided by the Arts Council of Wales, the fund offers support for arts organisations based and primarily working in Wales. With large grants of over £5,000 and small grants of under £5,000 availlable, the Arts Council seek “to offer creative experience of the highest possible quality.” For deadlines and more information, go to artswales.org.uk

Indian Government to develop ways in which the two nations can “work together to mutual benefit and ultimately create jobs.” As well as hosting an event to promote Wales, the First Minister attended a cultural event with the British Council in which it was highlighted how Cardiff will host the 2013 WOMEX world music showcase - the world’s largest professional market of world music. Eluned Hâf, Director of Wales Arts International, added: “India is a country of creativity and it has been incredible to experience some of it. “We have been able to meet some of the best Indian musicians and record labels, who are just starting to engage with the music of Wales and who will hopefully come to Cardiff for WOMEX in 2013.”

WHAT WE’VE BEEN LISTENING TO... {KATE}

{ROWAN}

{SIMON}

JONI MITCHELL MY OLD MAN

MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS THE GALAXY SONG

PERFUME GENIUS NO TEAR

No vocal vessel carries heartache the same as Joni. This, from her seminal Blue LP, captures the distilled essence of missing someone special with lyrical smarts and perfectly pitched piano accompaniment. As beautiful thirty odd years on from release as it ever was. MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

Perspective can be a tricky thing to maintain as life asssaults you with it’s maddening blend of fortune and disaster. Allow Mr. Eric Idle and co to steer you back to a semblance of reality.

Taken from Peter Hadreas’ recent sophomore LP, this short piano-led snippet of musical heartbreak captures the bittersweet, ying-yang, dark-light beauty of the broader album. A brutally honest songwriter, exposing his wounds so as to aid our understanding of humanity.

SUMMER DJ SCHOOL NOW ENROLLING

VENUE MAKEOVER DUE

Cardiff music store Catapult are fronting a new training programme for budding DJs, set to take place at the end of this month.Catapult DJ School is an eight week course that will give up and coming DJs the opportunity to learn and develop skills taught by industry recognised tutors. Heading the teaching programme will be one half of hardcore dance duo Cally of Cally & Juice, and DMC World DJ Championship finalist Killer Tomato.

Plans for the regeneration of Cardiff’s Coal Exchange have been extended, though its future as a music venue in unknown. The planning permission granted to development and construction firm Macob for their proposed redevelopment of the current live music venue expired in March, meaning they had to reapply before Cardiff Council’s planning committee last month. Having been given the go ahead once again, director at Macob Wayne Rees said: “The £20m redevelopment plans to transform the building into a vibrant mixed use scheme.” Included in the proposals are plans for the construction of over 100 apartments, two cafes, two restaurants, two shops and over 500 square meters of office space. When asked about the future of the Coal Exchange as a music venue by Wales Online, Macob did not respond. The MMP knows, however, that there are plans for the main hall and other ground floor spaces at the venue to be ‘fully restored for public use.’ The historic Coal Exchange dates back to 1883 and has been the planned project of Cardiff-based Macob since 2006. The Grade II listed building was closed in 2007 in order for work to commence to transform the location into a mixture of apartments, restaurants, shops and office spaces. However, in February 2009 the firm postponed the developments due to the struggling economy. In September 2009 the spot was reopened as a live music venue and has since grown in popularity. Last month, Newport favourites Feeder played the venue while Marina & the Diamonds are set for a show there this month.

“If you’re a complete beginner or bedroom DJ looking to learn some new skills, Catapult DJ School is for you,” said Catapult. “Our course will teach the skills of how to DJ on both turntables and CDJs, and will also look at digital DJing.” Alongside learning practical skills, students will be taught about the varying types of available equipment and brands, as well as how to self-promote.

The course will take place at the Catapult store in Cardiff’s Duke Street Arcade on Thursday evenings between 31 May and 27 September. The course will cost £10 per lesson, plus an £80 deposit. Students will receive exclusive offers and discounts from the shop as well as be given the chance to play an exclusive live set at an established club night. An application form can be downloaded from themmp.tv.

LIVE MUSIC RESEARCH PROJECT

Photo by: Paul Scott Thomas

The Higher Education Academy are funding an ongoing research project into the Welsh live music industry. Lead by Head of the Music Academy at Cardiff’s School of Cultural & Creative Industries Dr Paul Carr, the research seeks to explore the ways in which the live music industry in Wales can work closer with Higher Education. “Its main focus is to find out exactly how Higher Education can assist the development of live music in Wales,” said Dr Carr. “We want to answer questions like ‘How can Higher Education work with the industry, government, Arts Council etc to gather information

that makes the qualifications we offer more attuned to live music? How do musicians in Wales actually make a living from music?’” Part of the research method for the project includes an online questionnaire which is open to anyone and can be accessed online at themmp.tv. In addition, Dr. Carr will be interviewing key stakeholders who work in the live music industry to get their ideas on what direction Higher Education can take. The research is due to be completed by the end of June 2012, with a full critical report being made available on the Higher Education website soon afterwards.

{MATT}

{MORGAN}

{JOE}

STACKING CHAIRS WEAK-BEAT AND NOODLES

VAN MORRISON ASTRAL WEEKS

Weak-beat and Noodles by Cardiff based Stacking Chairs, is the best album to come from South Wales since - well I can’t remember. It’s a dadaist masterpiece, combining the soundbite aesthetic of Moon Wiring Club with cut-up, nostalgic stylings.

He really is the man, isn’t he? The opening track to his second solo album (which shares the same name) raises the bar for musical perfection. What is essentially poetry on top of layer upon layer of instrumentals, Van explores desire, love, escapism and fantasy in one hit. Brilliant.

EVERY TIME I DIE THE LONG ROAD HAS NO EXITS On their sixth album Ex Lives, Every Time I Die do exactly what they do best: brutal riffs, improbably fast drums and witty lyrics. Any song which features the line ‘from the cradle to the grave, it has been a walk of shame’ is worthy of your time.

06 | EXPOSURE INTERVIEW

BASTIONS

Since forming in Anglesey in 2008, Bastions have gone on to become one of the UK’s most highly respected and acclaimed hardcore bands. Even so, without an eye on the right blogs you may not have heard of them. But take it from us, the UK scene is currently in very rude health. Bands such as Southampton’s The Long Haul and Cornwall’s Veils have been punishing the ears of Europe with their brutally direct metallic punk, while the bonkers compositions of Sheffield stalwarts Rolo Tomassi and arty Londoners Three Trapped Tigers have received wide critical acclaim But with their intensely independent spirit and unique geographical position, Bastions almost stand alone in this maelstrom. How on earth did a band from the northernmost part of Wales become one the country’s most exciting heavy bands? It certainly didn’t happen overnight. ‘People think being in a band is all about driving around, drinking, doing drugs and rocking out,’ says drummer Danny. ‘But actually no; we’re doing work. You’ve gotta put the hours in to get to a certain point.’ Those hours have taken them all around the UK and, earlier this spring, on their first full European tour. ‘Initially we were playing Wrexham, Liverpool, Manchester – somehow we got a big following in Stoke. Then when we first played in Southampton we were really welcome,

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

they were really nice to us. It didn’t matter that we came from North Wales, it was like “come on country boys, come into our fold!”’ Indeed the city of Southampton is important in understanding how the UK scene has become so vibrant, having produced The Long Haul and the sadly soon to be no more Kerouac – two bands who were grouped into the social media aping #UKSWELL scene early last year. ‘We’ve never said we’re UKSWELL’ asserts guitarist Jamie. ‘That whole thing was a bit of a joke really. After a show in London me, Alex who runs [influential UK ‘hardcore’ label] Holy Roar and a couple of his friends were hanging out and talking about ‘The Wave’ scene in the States – bands like

Interview by: Joe O’Connell

www.facebook.com/bstns

Defeater, Touché Amoré, La Dispute – and how it would be funny to invent a UK version. So Alex sends out a tweet mentioning us, Long Haul, Kerouac and Pariso with the hash tag UKSWELL and before you know it it’s blown up. You’ve got all kinds of bands describing themselves as UKSWELL without really getting the joke.’ Still, for a lot of people (especially pesky journalists) once you give a ‘scene’ a name it’s unlikely to go away. ‘The Wave’ bands are characterised by their emotionally intense lyrics and sharp, brutal guitars. But the UK scene arguably has more variety in sound, with the bands being joined together more by their attitudes and philosophies when it comes to writing, recording, releasing and touring. ‘I think we share ideas yeah, but it’s more to do with us all starting at the same time and playing shows together’ says Jamie. ‘We get on with those Southampton bands and [South Walian post-hardcorers] Goodtime Boys as well, but we all have our own sound: Goodtime Boys have their jangly thing, we are what we are, you know.’ And how would they describe the ‘Bastions sound’? Do they hear any difference between their early EPs and last year’s debut album Hospital Corners? ‘I don’t think it’s really different, it’s still musically me playing guitar’ says Jamie. ‘I mean I’ve got a limited skill set, I don’t try and do anything beyond me. For me less is more. There are some songs where the drums change it and I’m still doing the same thing, or the vocals will make it different.’ ‘With each release we think about what interests us’, adds Danny. ‘We need to

keep it interesting for ourselves because we get bored quickly!’ There’s also the difficulty of keeping a band’s sound ‘original’. While the UK hardcore scene does currently have a lot going for it, there are of course some bands who struggle to develop a sound of their own. Do they make a conscious effort to avoid clichés and maintain originality? ‘For me it’s neither here nor there’ says Jamie. ‘Sometimes you get bogged down in details and think it’s hard to do something different, and end up just being a bit up your own arse. We’ve got a song [‘In The Shadow Of A Mountain’] with a two-steppy hardcore bit in it which is something we don’t do – we don’t really like that, but it was a different sound for us. It probably sounds like everyone’s doing it but in the context of what we were doing it was different.’ “ We were enjoying playing it’ states Danny, ‘that’s the difference. We debated on whether we should do it but we decided “yes – this feels right.” Integral to the Bastions sound is Jamie’s guitar style. Sometimes deep, heavy and riffy, he also enjoys sparse single note flourishes with an unusually warm tone. It’s refreshing to hear when compared with the distorted chunky buzz of other heavy bands, and a big part of that is his choice of instrument: the sleevenotes jokingly state that ‘no humbuckers were used in the making of this recording.’ ‘The bass and drums create the low end so Jamie’s free to do whatever he wants’ says Danny. Over this diverse sound world vocalist Jay shouts his suggestively dark lyrics with absolute conviction. Although declining to be interviewed for this feature, Jay’s feelings are clear to see when the band play

live, throwing himself around stage and connecting well with the audience. ‘He’s a care worker by day’ Jamie tells us – and everybody needs an outlet, right? ‘Well, exactly’ he agrees. The others have their day jobs as well. Danny returns to his young family after tours, and, as a freelance graphic designer, Jamie has become the ‘go-toguy’ for sleeve artwork within the scene having designed all of Bastions’ sleeves thus far. ‘I’m a designer rather than an artist mind,’ he states. ‘I’d really like an opportunity to work in collaboration with an artist.’ Meanwhile bassist Gareth’s current employment and even whereabouts are unknown even to Jamie: ‘I’ve not seen him since December if I’m honest with you’ he laughs. ‘In fact Gareth, if you’re reading this then come home! He’s not even playing with us on this European tour, he got some work at the last minute so we had to get our friend Matt from [London mathcore group] Battle For Paris to play with us.’ In spite of their day jobs they’re always keen to do more with the band. ‘We’re at a point where we’re nearly there if we pushed a little bit more. But it’s supply and demand – if you’re out there every month then people will get sick of it’ says Jamie. ‘It’s better to wait because then people haven’t seen you for ages and you can bring a whole new batch of songs’ agrees Danny. And how about new recordings, have they got an eye on future releases? ‘Always’, Jamie declares with as serious an expression we’ve ever seen. ‘Always.’

08 | EXPOSURE FEATURE

Words by: Jamie Neasom Photo by: xx

DRYMBAGO Bangor. Mental connections do not include Africa. Mental connections include the Menai Straits (which appear on a surprising amount of ‘see before you die’ lists) and something about having a very long pier (or an under-performing bridge, point of view dependent).

I think of Bangor and I think of the cold that northern coastal towns can claim as their own, those limpet outposts swathed in Atlantic mist, cliff-mothered and hunkered down against the indifferent abuse of sea and air. Music being a tenacious and contagious thing, a confounder of all expectations, prejudice be damned; something of an African spirit has been detected in Gwynedd. Across Wartski fields and the River Cegin a tightly coiled but deceptively laid back siren sings, blending the spirit of Nigeria ’70 with the several-strata-deep soul of Wales. Snare drums dry as dust crack and shuffle, kicking up the gravel of shakers and cowbells as the bass, taut and nimble, a dancer’s calves, shimmies and shakes; guitar and keys breathing hard and regular, horns throwing their heads back. A dancer under the sun or hot club lights, flashing bright in the darkness. Who’d have thought it? Where Drymbago fall away from the afro-beat template is in their approach to vocals (this, you see, is the

part where being Welsh starts to be more important again). Chants are eschewed for languorous melodies sung in Welsh and English, all in a beautiful register that seems to be the preserve of the Welsh only. I’m English, and forever a little jealous of the facility for warm, soulful melancholy that Welsh vocalists seem to have from birth. The result is a gentle, permeating sadness that serves to highlight the upbeat nature of every other element. It’s the disco gambit; make music that sounds superficially like the best night of your life but lace it with black threads (good examples include Dancing Queen, everything by Donna Summer and so much more). This is how it hits you, this is how it stays with you. Drymbago make supremely attractive, fun music, but they also tweak something inside you that tells you they are not just copying something they enjoy; this is music with roots that go deeper than you might expect. Call it Bangor-beat; moments of exceptional beauty and a constant, undeniable natural force to whip you to the dancefloor. JN myspace.com/drymbago

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

May 2012

Jealous Lovers

w/ The Others

Thurs 3rd | 9pm | £4

www.gwdihw.co.uk | @GwdihwCafeBar

MOTD

Knees Up!

w/ Third Party Fri 11th | 9pm | £3

Swing Discothèque

Trio w/ Keith Little£3 Fri 4th | 8:30pm |

Fat City

Sat 12th | 9pm | £4

Juju Nations

w/ Two Man Ting

Dizzy Cuttlefish

w/ Rusty Shackle

Sat 5th | 9pm | £3 Micro Festival

Part New York Block MOTD Sun 6th | 4pm | £4

Quiz Music Matters £1 per player Tue 8th | 7:30 pm |

Ifor Bach

w/ Mr Huw Wed 9th | 8pm | £4

Sun 13th | 7pm | £2

Quiz Quest

am) (max 5 people per te Mon 14th | 8pm | £2

Nest Folk in the Owls | Free Wed 16th | 8:30pm

Tropical BoogieDJ Sugardog w/ Baila la Cumbia, £3 Fri 18th | 8.30pm |

Give It Some

Tues 22nd | 8pm | TB

Ibis Hotel

010 | EXPOSURE FEATURE

Words by: Jim Swidenbank

PALOMINO PARTY 2011 was a busy year for the Cardiff-based art-rock band Palomino Party. Forming in the January they went on to achieve considerable notoriety after winning the prestigious Oxjam ‘Battle of the Jams’ competition in September which came with it the opportunity to record a live session with South Wales’ own Nation Radio; not bad for a band who only performed their first gig barely six months prior. Musically and aesthetically it isn’t hard to see why people find them so captivating. Their sound is certainly unique and whilst it carries with it many elements evident in the ever-prevalent new wave of neo-psychedelic indie-pop so prominent in contemporary popular music it also offers sizable nods to traditional folk music with frequent gestures to classic American country. Although given that part of their name is also a term used to describe a traditional Western horse coat colour, this is perhaps not particularly surprising. Fundamentally their influences are seemingly as diverse as their sound and although there are certainly recognisable inspirations both contemporary and classic including the likes of Bowie, Talking Heads and Arctic Monkeys, it would be unfair to pin Palomino Party down as being directly similar to any of them. Any attempt to do so would be a grave injustice to the creativeness of the quintet. Where they really stand apart from their peers, though, is in their exhilarating and exuberant live shows and quirky theatrical image. Each of the five members

of Palomino Party bring to the fold a background in differing areas of theatre and drama ranging from the quite evident musical theatre education of enigmatic frontman Linford Hydes through to qualifications in stage management, live events and digital media held by each of the bands other members. It’s fair to say that their collective and varying understandings of the live and theatrical world fuse together to ensure that their live shows carry a ‘party’ feel and have become as synonymous with the band as their musical style. Complete with flamboyant costumes and an infectious, feverous energy, catching a Palomino Party gig should be high on the agenda over the coming months for any live music fan. Dramatic, unique and tipped by Wales Online as one of the few Welsh bands who will cause you to “sit up and listen in 2012” this promises to be a prosperous year for a band grabbing everyone’s attention at barely a year old. Keep an eye on those local gig guides and, whatever you do, don’t miss the party. JS

soundcloud.com/palomino-party MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

012 | INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Back in 1993, underneath the stairs in an old emporium situated in Cardiff’s Castle Arcade, Catapult Records was born. Nineteen years down the line, it’s become an institution for music aficionados everywhere. The MMP sat down with manager Simon Thomas to learn all about one of the city’s famous music stores. MMP: OVER THE YEARS, CATAPULT HAS DEVELOPED A GREAT REPUTATION AND FOLLOWING, WOULD YOU AGREE? ST: Being humble about it, I suppose so. We love what we do and we’re in a great place within the community to serve what our customers want. MMP: ONE THING THAT’S DRAWN THAT INTEREST ARE INSTORE SESSIONS, SOMETHING CATAPULT HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH. WHEN DID THEY FIRST COME ABOUT? DID YOU FORESEE THEIR SUCCESS? ST: They’re natural for a store like ours so we’ve always done them. I’ve got photos in my office dating back to ‘97 with LTJ Bukem. They’re great and we’ve had so many memories with people filling the store to the brim. Record Store Day last year was memorable with Nu:Tone and Logistics, followed by Bonobo a few weeks later. DJ Vibes in the late ‘90s was amazing and then we can fast forward to High Contrast in the new store - which was probably the best received we’ve had. MMP: HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY FOR THE STORE? ST: They’re fantastic. For older audiences it’s a chance to see a DJ in an intimate environment, which you can’t get in a club, say. For younger audiences, it’s about nurturing them, especially if they’re too young for clubs. They get to come see and meet their idols. For a retailer, they remind us why we do what we do. It’s not all about the money but the passion. MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

www.catapult.co.uk

FOCUS C

SIMON THOMAS

@ CATAPULT RECORDS

CMY

MMP: FOR A WHILE NOW THE DIGITAL AGE HAS BEEN SEEN AS AN IMPENDING THREAT ON THE HIGH STREET, PARTICULARLY VINYL. IS THIS SOMETHING YOU’VE FELT? ST: Not really. A lot’s been cooked up about vinyl in the media, but we’ve not seen a dip in sales. We deal with people who live and breath music so know about the quality of sound, and know that vinyl surpasses mp3. Electronic music has only developed. Nowadays software and equipment is more affordable. People can make fantastic music from their laptop. MMP: SO THE DIGITAL AGE HAS DONE QUITE THE OPPOSITE TO WHAT PEOPLE MIGHT BELIEVE? ST: For certain sides of music, the digital age has been a kiss of death. For us it’s been a blessing. MMP: THIS SUMMER YOU’RE HOSTING A DJ SCHOOL. WHERE DID THAT IDEA COME FROM? ST: So many people come in, buy a CD or be with a friend who’s buying vinyl.

We get into conversation with them and then learn that they’d love to get into either listening to records or mixing them. It might sound easy, picking two records and putting them together, but it’s not. People are after a starting point, so we’re getting together with two great DJs - Cally from Cally & Juice and Killer Tomato. We’re trying to get it accredited. MMP: LAST YEAR YOU LAUNCHED THE RECORD LABEL, NOW THIS YEAR IT’S THE DJ SCHOOL. WHAT’S NEXT? ST: There’s so many things that you’re going to see coming through Catapult in the next year that we’ve been talking about for years. As well as expanding the record label, we’re launching our own clothing labels, which will be coming out over the next few months. As a retailer you’ve got to be imaginative and start to expand your product portfolio. It’s an exciting time. Words by: Morgan Applegarth

Gringo Star “Hooks, attitude, and a dead-on 1960s aesthetic.. what's not to like?” PITCHFORK ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Boiling up from Atlanta, US for a full UK tour come Gringo Star with critically acclaimed new long-player “Count Yer Lucky Stars” recorded with the man behind Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley & Deerhunter

& GUESTS: Houdini Dax

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ SUN. 13th May | the moon club £ 4 ADV. / £ 5 | Tickets: wegottickets.com | Doors: 7.30pm SEEMONKEYDOMONKEY.COM / GRINGOSTAR.NET / HOUDINIDAX.CO.UK / THEMOONCLUB.NET

Join us on Twitter for up to date gig annoucements @orchardent

presents/yn cyflwyno

WEDNESDAY 23RD MAY 2012

THE MOON CLUB

CARDIFF

N APPOINTMENT WITH

The

WEDNESDAY 9TH MAY 2012

CLWB IFOR BACH

Waterboys

MONDAY 14TH MAY 2012

ST DAVID’S HALL

WED 30 MAY 2012

CLWB IFOR BACH

+MANY MORE ACTS

MONDAY 28TH MAY 2012

FRIDAY 25TH MAY 2012

THE GATE, CARDIFF Sheffield Leadmill Tue 22 May Wed 23 May Thu 24 May

Glasgow Oran Mor Liverpool Kazimier 1st Fri May 25 May 2012 Cardiff The Gate Sat 26 May Leamington Spa Assembly Mon 28 May London Palladium

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LONSDALE BOYS CLUB GIGSANDTOURS.COM / 0844 811 0051

saintetienne.com

An SJM Concerts & DF presentation in association with EC1

CLWB IFOR BACH

doors: 7:30pm | tickets £7 adv

2nd May 2012

THE QUIREBOYS CLWB IFOR BACH

doors: 7pm | tickets £15 adv

2nd May 2012

IMELDA MAY

ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF doors: 7pm | tickets £25 adv

NEW ALBUM OUT 21 MAY

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY 11th May 2012

26th May 2012

MUNI ARTS CENTRE, PONTYPRIDD doors: 6.30pm | tickets £7.50 adv

(AIDEN)

13th May 2012

doors: 7pm | tickets £10 adv

STARBOY NATHAN ALKALINE TRIO 21st May 2012

doors: 7.30pm | tickets £15 adv

IT BOYS

THE MOON CLUB, CARDIFF doors: 7pm | tickets £6 adv

23rd May 2012

doors: 7pm | tickets £25 adv

doors: 7.30pm | tickets £12.50 adv

8th May 2012

THE XCERTS CLWB IFOR BACH

doors: 7:30pm | tickets £6 adv

27th May 2012

OZRIC TENTACLES

DEXYS

PARC & DARE, TREORCHY

CLWB IFOR BACH

doors: 7pm | tickets £12.50 adv

SOLUS, CARDIFF UNI

THE PIGEON DETECTIVES

4th May 2012

WILLIAM CONTROL

ABERYSTWYTH UNI 24th May 2012

JAKE MORLEY @ ‘NO SWEAT’

THE MOON CLUB, CARDIFF doors: 7pm | tickets FREE!

CLWB IFOR BACH 29th May 2012

DICK VALENTINE CLWB IFOR BACH

doors: 7.30pm | tickets £8 adv

1st June 2012

SLAM DUNK TOUR:

HIT THE LIGHTS CF10, CARDIFF UNI

doors: 7pm | tickets £12 adv

2nd June 2012

GARY NUMAN COAL EXCHANGE

doors: 7pm | tickets £25 adv

Box Office: 02920 230 130 | www.orchardentertainment.co.uk

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

EVENT LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS

Tuesday 1 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Floppy haired, lovely-boy serenades the masses every tuesday with peerless class. Robert Cross @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* An acoustic gemstone in a landscape of granite, join Cross for radio classics. Orchard Presents: Lonsdale Boys Club / A*M*E / Ladies Loves a Superhero @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £7* The home of noisy boys, old records, guitars and sampled beats. And a funktion one soundsystem blasting our tunes over a halfpipe and pool. Doll Rats / The Effect / Polaroid Vision / The Street Orphans @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm.£4* Acts start early for this one. Stadium rock brought to an intimate venue, star spangled, celestial, euphoria. Metamorphosis: Skinny Alice / Red Daze / Mollie’s Chambers / Saethau Noeth Poeth @ The Moon Club, 8:00pm, £3* Unusual bands playing unusual covers presented by Atrium Students. Mr Fogg / Alone @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £4* A musical chameleon. For those who were lucky enough to witness the electronic oddity of Mr Fogg at Reading festival attendance, this was never in doubt. The Memphis Seven @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4* Excellent interpretations of Jazz Standards from seven fine musicians. Wednesday 2 May Ensemble Midtvest @ Wales Millennium Centre, 1:00pm, FREE* AnturCelf is one of four strands that make up Make it Yours Festival. This lunchtime features a delightful, repertoire. Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Acoustic Wednesdays at Live Lounge continue with ‘our’ Tony’s humble song-smithery. Bassplayers @ Gwdihw, 7:00pm, £2* Each month Bassplayers and Trill Promotions invite everyone to come along and jam, mix and dance with resident DJs and musicians. Jon Godwin @ O’Neills Trinity Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Acoustic entertainment every Wednesday, ask nicely and he might throw in a traditional Irish Jig. Open Mic hosted by The JimJam Band @

The Traders Tavern, 7:00pm, FREE* Strange as it may sound, James Blunt started at an open mic night. Find the next James Blunt – and bludgeon him. Orchard Presents: The Quireboys @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £15* Late 80′s semi-legendary rock from Newcastle, the boys are back in town. Imelda May @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £25* Jools and Jeff Beck endorsed Irish Rockabilly revivalist hits Cardiff following an exciting year. Open Mic Wednesday @ Rileys Sports Bar, 7:30pm, FREE* Come on over to jam or collaborate Survivalists / The Me’Me’Me’s?! / Thieves @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, FREE* Indie – rock with a jingle jangly edge, combined with a healthy dose of Post-punk. Metamorphosis: Chraen & The Liberties / Keep Locked Shut / Cartel De Glamorgan / Stranger of a Diabolical Essence @ The Moon Club, 8:00pm, £3* Unusual bands playing unusual covers presented by Atrium students. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Get out of the garage and make your way to the stage, your first move to superstardom. Sugar Drop @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Alternative beats for your midweek dancefloor! Tom Ollendorff Trio @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4 / £3 conc* Jazz guitar trio playing a mix off Jazz Standards and some original compositions’ sums us up quite well. Zouklambada @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Weekly dance classes for your health. Open Mic @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* The lights are low and the floor is open to both budding and experienced acts, a free drink for every performer. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* Jazz in a splendidly focused setting with passionate curators bringing a fine spectacle Prophecy - Future Jungle @ 48 Below, 9:30pm, FREE* Old school jungle rhythms meet new school production techniques Thursday 3 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Morley’s regular and reliable slot, filled with wood and string,

resonance and popular song, delectable. Jonathan Crespo Quartet @ Wales Millennium Centre, 6:45pm, FREE* Jazz standards and across the board wailing, swing to Bebop, the folks got style. The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE* Popular song, taken and performed, they don’t do requests… but there is no harm in asking. International Concert Series @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, 16.50* The Tallis 40-part motet Spem in alium was thought to be so difficult that no-one could actually perform it. Here is your chance to hear it at last. Professor Green @ The Great Hall, 7:30pm, £18.50* With his new album ‘At Your Inconvenience’ out now, the Prof heads back out on the road Live Soul night with Captain Hawkins @ Rockin’ Chair, 08:00pm, FREE* Soulful piano and accordion from the enigma that is Captain Hawkins Ben Treacher Quartet @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £6 / £5 adv* A virtuoso saxophonist from the county big band in Aylesbury No Sweat Presents: The Brwmys / Tim Tyson Short / Quiet Marauder @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Dreamy acoustic wonderland, presented by the ever impeccable curators of everything stripped back. Open Mic Night presented by: Box Fort @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, FREE* A fun and good-natured open mic, a must for any would-be performers. The Miserable Rich / Mechanical Mannequins / Think Pretty @ Undertone, 8:00pm, 7 / £5.50 adv* Ghostly chamber pop from Brighton in a similar vein to Tindersticks. Nick Knock by CF5 @ Koko Gorillaz, 8:30pm, FREE* Popular jam night featuring a houseband with a full backline setup. Selected and guest musicians are invited to get up and mix up various styles. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* After yesterday’s festivities, Jazz is back and with more twists and turns. Listen out for a variety of performers spanning cool to free. Jealous Lovers Presents: The Others @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £4* A club

night packed with so much indie it would wear Jarvis Cocker specs in an non-ironic ironic way.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

The Others @ Gwdihw,

3 MAY

The Jealous Lovers club / band night pulls in another top notch act after last month’s thriving Catfish & The Bottlemen show. The guerrila giggers, The Others, bring their high energy, indie-rock live show back on the road and straight to Cardiff’s perfectly formed Gwdihw.

Signature Free Bank Holiday Party: Adjected Deleted @ Buffalo Bar, 9:00pm, FREE* Bass heavy beats from Kissy Sell Out’s ‘One to watch’ in 2012. CYNT: UKF ‘Never Say Die’ Tour with SKISM! @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £5* Coowner and A&R of one of the most prolific labels in electronic music today, Lab rat electronics from bass music powerhouse. Friday 4 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his regular slot, Morley delights the locals over lunch. The Little @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Folky tones over late-afternoon, your antidote to the working week. Fancy Footwork @ 10 Feet Tall, 6:00pm, £5 / £4 adv* If you have two left feet, take this opportunity to practice moves to the best tiptoed dancified electro. Roath Rocks @ The Gower, 6:00pm, £TBA* A charity two day festival featuring the cream of the local crop. Smokin’ Aces @ Mocka Lounge, 6:00pm, FREE* Cardiff’s perennial hard-rock covers band, they are on a highway to hell…. Raw Folk @ Wales Millennium Centre, 6:45pm, FREE* If the object of a name is to describe a bands sound, then these folks have it spot on. Robot Safari @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, FREE* Welsh three-piece melodic indie-rock with an upbeat attitude. Here Lies The Enemy / Falling In Style @ Clwb

Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £4* Fast and furious melodic hardcore metal, drawn from the American new wave. State of the Union: Big Colours / Howl / Palomino Party @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £3* Alternative ska fueled indie from a tasty line-up of local and fresh produce. Whole Lotta Led - Led Zepplin Tribute @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £12.50* The worlds… neigh… UNIVERSES greatest Led Zepplin tribute, all the hits some of the misses… mostly the hits. Best Supporting Actors @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE* Stunning entertainment on St Mary’s street. Hyena! Bank Holiday Party @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £3 / £4 adv* Ease in your bank holiday sip away to hot and heavy beats. Polemics @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* A feel-good mixture of hard-rocking covers and fun-loving originals, the perfect way to welcome the weekend. The Doors Alive @ Bogiez, 8:00pm, £10* The very best Doors tribute on planet earth. A full-on experience and arguably the closest we will get to The Doors again.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Roath Rocks @ The Gower,

4 MAY

Isn’t Roath a wonderful suburb? We certainly think it rocks just by its own natural rhythm, but when there’s a two-day charity event in one of its fine drinkeries featuring the cream of local talent, the resonance is all the more pronounced. Featuring the likes of Calum Ross & The Scarlets, The Fflip Fflops and The Peppered Moths.

Salvation Duo @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* A stripped down version of your local favorites, a treat to behold. Swing Discothèque Presents: Keith Little Trio @ NosDa, 8:30pm, £3* Péchés Mignons continues his journey through every musical genre with Cardiff-based Jazz and Swing from the 30s and 40s. Chris James Band @ Cafe Jazz, 10:00pm, £4* Old Chicago blues from an entertaining Cumbrian and his troupe. Aperture Presents: Spy & Lowqui @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £7 / £5 adv* The best in beat heavy, groove ridden electronics. Plus

Droneboy lounge for relaxing those weary legs of yours. Saturday 5 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Originals and covers from Cardiff’s singer songwriter extraordinaire. Catch him while you can! Al Lewis @ Wales Millennium Centre, 1:00pm, FREE* Reminiscent of the classic singer-songwriters of the 70′s, delivered with a modern twist. Huw M @ Wales Millennium Centre, 2:10pm, FREE* Beautiful Welsh-inspired folk music throughout the day, kicking off with the pop of Mr Huw. Carreg Lafar @ Wales Millennium Centre, 3:20pm, FREE* A mix of traditional and original music they present passionate and lively performances, offering up a new way of looking at traditional Welsh music. Roath Rocks @ The Gower, 4:00pm, £TBA* The second installment of a two day festival full to the brim of local bands. Taran @ Wales Millennium Centre, 4:30pm, FREE* Mixing ancient and modern instruments, traditional themes and contemporary dance sensibilities, Taran are raising the profile of traditional Welsh music. Sian James @ Wales Millennium Centre, 5:40pm, FREE* Stirring folk in an uplifting and energising set. The Me And You Club @ 10 Feet Tall, 6:00pm, £5 / £4 adv* Indie-pop treats to suckle at until your mouth is frothing and body convulsing in time to the tippy tappy beat. Jamie Smith’s Mabon @ Wales Millennium Centre, 6:50pm, FREE* Best described as inter-Celtic World Music, Jamie Smith’s original compositions are brought to life by six highly accomplished musicians. Edward Russell / Support @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £3* Influenced by the Pet Shop Boys and Human League. Russell is bringing back 80′s electro – for the modern age. Kookamunga @ The Full Moon, 7:00pm, FREE* Live organ filled funk, designed for dance, sculpted for the lash. Freakscene: Bear Be Good / The Dead Shed Jokers / Groblar @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £3* The best heavy rock, psych, stoner, grunge and punk bands playing LOUDLY! Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £28.50 / £25.50* In this special show Ian Anderson commemorates the 40th

016 LIVE MUSIC MAP 01 Clwb Ifor Bach

LIVE MUSIC MAP

02 Gate Theatre 04 10 Feet Tall | Undertone 05 Buffalo 06 The Coal Exchange 07 O’Neills (Little) 08 Kama Lounge

27 39

09 The Globe 10 O’ Neills (Big) 11 Shot in the Dark

13 Students Union 14 Tommy’s Bar 15 The Promised Land

13 21

17 Gwdihŵ

18 Dempsey’s 19 Owain Glyndwr 20 The Bunk House

20 28 10

22 The Vulcan Lounge

25 The North Star

26 Cafe Jazz 27 The Pot

36 33

23 St David’s Hall 24 Nos Da

19 07

21 Cardiff Arts Institute

BUTE PARK

16 Koko Gorilaz

28 Rococo 30 Funky Buddha 31 Bar 147 32 The Live Lounge 33 Mocka | Peppermint 34 Pen and Wig 35 The Claude 36 Cardiff Central Library

Don’t see your venue listed? Contact Us info@themmp.tv

37 Motorpoint Arena 38 The Old Library 39 The Yard 40 GH2 41 The Full Moon 42 Bogiez

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

anniversary of his Jethro Tull album Thick As A Brick. Orchard Presents: We Are The Kings / Dion Rocco / Riots @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, SOLD OUT* American Alt rock from Florida, a hark back to the MTV generation when superficial pop gorged on guitars before implosion. The Universal Band / Marmalade Sky @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £7* Good honest mod-rock, unashamed Weller loving Liverpudlians bring there guitar wielding antics to the Globe. Anthony Lee Wickham & Guests @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* A local singer / songwriter and diamond digging curator. Sure to be an excellent night. Lowri Evans @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* Floral music from a superb, traditional, Welsh singer/ songwriter. Juju Nations Presents: Two Man Ting @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £2* A unique blend of afrobeat, funk and reggae to Saturday night. Be prepared for funky and frantic flavors with a world music dance infusion. Leighton Jones @ The North Star, 9:00pm, FREE* Local folk-star, makes your weekend with his jingly jangly vibe. Sunday 6 May Butetown Bay Jazz @ Wales Millennium Centre, 12:00pm, FREE* An exciting, eclectic all-star line-up of local of local and professional jazzers. Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his rightful place, Morley has the Sunday stage, perfect for his folksy style. Nick Jordan Trio @ The North Star, 1:00pm, FREE* An entertaining afternoon for you, acoustic music over a cheeky pint. Open Mic @ The Live Lounge, 3:30pm, FREE* Your chance to prove to the Lounge what they are missing, the stage is set, its up to you to step up. New York Block Party: Hackney Colliery Band / East Park Reggae Collective / Afro Cluster @ Gwdihw, 4:00pm, £4* Péchés Mignons and Gung-Ho are bringing some Harlem flavour to Gwdihŵ in the form of a block party featuring bolshy brass and rampant grooves. Nothin’ But A House Party: Palomino Party / Tom Peacock & More @ The Full Moon, 4:30pm, FREE* Live music and DJs straight through the afternoon to the early hours of the morning with MMP featurees headlining Marie @ The Live Lounge, 6:30pm,

FREE* The merry tinklier tickles the ivories over a roast, delicious roast. S & M @ O’Neills St Mary’s Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Simon and Marfunckle promise a rousing set of your favorite covers, every sunday. 10cc Live in Concert @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £23 / £25 / £27* Hit after hit with over 10 top tens and three No 1s including Rubber Bullets and I’m Not In Love. Crow Bar Presents: Tribazik / SickNote / Anonamus Icona Class / Kicker Bocker Glories (Burlesque Troupe). @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £8* Raving mad, acid, techno, rock, house. One Track Mind / Story To Be Told @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £TBA* Pop Punk from Caerphilly. These boys know what they want and they will take it, regardless of law / social conscious. Ska Wars: Acts TBC @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £TBA* Live bands and DJs bringing the best in ska, reggae and two-tone until 3am. A Shot of Jazz @ A Shot In The Dark, 08:00pm, £TBA* Regular warblings in an intimate setting, featuring the best of local (and not so local) talent. Colum Regan @ The Live Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Bluesy tones and folksy whimsy from the cabaret chameleon. Come and enjoy. Horizon EP Launch @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £TBA* Mumford and Sons esq post-folk. Local boys… but for how much longer? Matt Bentley Album Launch @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Interesting orchestral Americana from a Burnley born artist, not to be missed. Open Mic with Anthony Lee Wickham @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Bring your axe and discuss (with your charming host) the most appropriate time to use it. 2ManyDJs @ The Great Hall, 10:00pm, £17* Eclectic bootleg mixers, Dolly Parton next to Nirvana? Why not? Royksopp mixed with Destiny’s Child, hell yeah!! Goose @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* Electric, aquatic covers and originals from the rockiest folks in town Loose & Usvthem @ Buffalo Bar, 10:00pm, FREE* Indie, 60s, Motown, Alt/Rock, Pop, hits till late. Monday 7 May Smoking Aces @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Credulous covers from rock and roll royalty, Cardiff’s favorites in light-entertainment.

Trevor and Jones @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Song-smithery by afternoon, lightly strummed guitars and twinkling keys over late-lunch. Open Mic Night @ The Old Libary, 7:00pm, FREE* No, it’s not a live display of Dr Guther Hagens grisly televised autopsy’s, but a chance to wow the masses. Smoking Aces @ O’Neills St Mary’s St, 7:00pm, FREE* The hardest working band in town, no wonder they are smoking. Open Mic Night: Jazz Jam @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, FREE* Grab your instrument and wave it around in front of a baying crowd. Open Mic Night @ O’Neill’s St Mary’s St, 8:00pm, FREE* A popular and lively open mic, come and show your support, or maybe even give it a go. The Ultimate Gala Concert with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Dennis O’Neill @ Wales Millennium Centre, 8:00pm, £20 - £75* World-renowned singers including Rebecca Evans, Julia Lezhneva, Jason Howard, Max Boyce and Members of the Wales International Academy of Voice, perform your favorite arias. Traditional Welsh Sessions @ Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE* Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Tuesday 8 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Floppy haired, lovely-boy serenades the masses every tuesday with peerless class. Lunchtime Concert: Thomas Trotter @ St David’s Hall, 1:00pm, 6.50 / £5.50 adv* The Organist at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey and visiting Professor of Organ at the Royal Northern College of Music. Robert Cross @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* An acoustic gemstone in a landscape of granite, join Cross for radio classics. Orchard Presents: The Xcerts / [Me] @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £6* Funeral For A Friend, My Vitriol, Fightstar, Feeder and Idlewild support slots under the belt, catch these Scottish youngsters on the brink of alt rock mainstream. The Coronas @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £7* The current biggestselling independent group in Ireland, and are now ready to take on the UK.

Alan Barnes @ St David’s Hall, 8:00pm, £13 / £12 adv* An award winning saxophonist and one of the UK’s most in demand soloists promises a fantastic evening of swinging Big Band music and jazz. Flux=Rad Presents: Savoir Adore / Cut Ribbons @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £4* Much fancied, ethereal dream pop, propelled by motorik drums and blazing guitars. Jim Fryer (US) with Norman Thatchers Band @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4* Cardiff’s finest meet one of the world finest Trombonists in a match that has been called, ‘the marriage of titans’ (by us). Goose @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* There’s a Goose, loose, aboot this hoooose!!! Fun and frenzied party rock. Wednesday 9 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Acoustic wednesdays at Live lounge continue with ‘our’ Tony’s humble song-smithery. Jon Godwin @ O’Neills Trinity Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Acoustic entertainment every Wednesday, ask nicely and he might throw in a traditional Irish Jig. Open Mic hosted by The JimJam Band @ The Traders Tavern, 7:00pm, FREE* Strange as it may sound, James Blunt started at and open mic night. Find the next James Blunt – and bludgeon him. Newton Faulkner @ The Coal Exchange, 7:30pm, £16* Dream Catch Me star returns to Cardiff with his original beach swept style. Open Mic Wednesday @ Rileys Sports Bar, 7:30pm, FREE* Come on over to jam or collaborate! It’s free to watch & free to play! Every Week – with alternatve hosts, Chris (Under the Driftwood Tree) & Calum ( Calum Ross & the Scarlets). Orchard presents: BrokenCYDE @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £10* Original ‘crunkcore’ from New Mexico. Crunkcore you say? Kids these days…. Swn Present: Francois and The Atlas Mountains / Stranded Horse @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £6.50* The delightful French singer-songwriter, musician and animator brings his collection of Gallic chamber-pop and chanson to the UK. Buffalo Boutique & Cardiff Tea Club @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, FREE* Electro / House and all that layeth in between, accompanied by bric ‘a brac stalls and vintage holy mothers. Cal Newman @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, FREE*

Cardiff’s favorite smokey voiced blues man returns to entertain with his versions of blues, ragtime and slide guitar classics – A blues master class! Ifor Bach Presents: Mr Huw @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £4* Dark music but with pop sensibilities, combining electronic beat with a raw sound. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Get out of the garage and make your way to the stage, your first move to superstardom. Sugar Drop @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Alternative beats for your midweek dancefloor! Sugar Drop Presents: Houses @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £3* An electro-indie-synth-pophip-hop-party. Zouklambada @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Weekly dance classes for your health. Open Mic @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* The lights are low and the floor is open to both budding and experienced acts, a free drink for every performer.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Antlered Man @ Undertone,

10 MAY

Utterly engulfing and intelligent grunge with as many clever lyrics as there are smart riffs. Antlered Man channel the likes of the Dead Kennedys and Queens Of The Stone Age, musically prowling with just as much menace. Support from This Is Wreckage.

Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* Jazz still fighting strong upstairs in Dempsey’s Prophecy - Future Jungle @ 48 Below, 9:30pm, FREE* Old school jungle rhythms meet new school production techniques. Face Value @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* Energy, party, face, value. Electrified rock from Wales. Thursday 10 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Morley’s regular and reliable slot, filled with wood and string, resonance and popular song, delectable. The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE* Popular song, taken and performed, they don’t do requests… but there is no harm in asking. Antlered Man / This Is Wreckage @ Undertone, 7:30pm, £4* Tear it up

and start again with bass heavy, slacker grunge from London. Westlife @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:30pm, £47.25* The men are here, and they are after your kids money.. won’t somebody stop these nasty bas^£$ds? Dino Plasmati Open Quartet @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £6 / £5 adv* A jazz group with a broad musical horizon offering an intense and unique musical experience. Live Soul night with Captain Hawkins @ Rockin’ Chair, 08:00pm, FREE* Soulful piano and accordion from the enigma that is Captain Hawkins. Harvest @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £3* A trip into the world of psychedelia. Expect a heavy-dose of trippy ambiance and sound, with acid visuals, sets from the premier psych DJs and mind blowing live bands. No Sweat Presents: Efa Supertramp / Shohei Kobayashi / Peyote @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Hardworking, bi-lingual, acoustic punk songstress shouts about life’s injustices, justices and television. Open Mic Night presented by: Box Fort @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, FREE* A fun and good natured open mic, a must for any would-be performers. Nick Knock by CF5 @ Koko Gorillaz, 8:30pm, FREE* Popular jam night featuring a houseband with a full backline setup. Selected and guest musicians are invited to get up and mix up various styles. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* After yesterdays festivities, Jazz is back and with more twists and turns. Listen out for a variety of performers spanning cool to free. CYNT: Dillon Francis / Comfort @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £5* Moombahton, Luvstep, and Everything InBetween. LA’s prodigal son takes residency at the Welsh Club. Friday 11 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his regular slot, Morley delights the locals over lunch. The Little @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Folky tones over late-afternoon, your antidote to the working week. Leighton Jones @ Peppermint, 6:00pm, FREE* Entertaining covers from a regular stalwart of the Cardiff singer / songwriter scene. Seven Deadly (ExPanic Cell) @ Bogiez, 7:00pm, £5* Recently formed from the remnants of British metallers Panic Cell, Seven Deadly go on tour for the first

018 | LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS time promising an absolutely stunning show. Dirty Goods @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £4* Electro-pop from Newport, these boys are on the fringe of something big. International Concert Series: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £10.50 £33.50* The second of two concerts with Freddy Kempf performing the Beethoven Concerto Cycle. Barely Regal Presents: Kutosis / Olympians / Dancers @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £4* PostHardcore at its most frenzied, energetic guitar spindling from three hotly tipped bands. DJ Haydn Jay with Freeman Street @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE* Funk and Soul all night long, get on down, get your groove on! Polemics @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* A feel-good mixture of hard-rocking covers and fun-loving originals, the perfect way to welcome the weekend. Sunshine Riot / Harri Davies @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Kick back and relax for the weekend with rock and roll for the masses easing you in. Leighton Jones @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* Local acoustic madness from an expert entertainer. Knees Up! Presents: Third Party @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3* Gwdihŵ is pleased to welcome a brand new ‘mod and roll’ night to the nest, featuring a newly formed slice of four-piece jangling melancholy. Luke Doherty Band @ Cafe Jazz, 10:00pm, £4* Young, fresh Blues, performed a breakneck speed by a sickeningly talented 17 year old. Electronic Goods Presents: Scuba / The Organ Grinder / Clare James @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £15 / £12 adv* Bass in the city, with a future house backdrop. Relentless electronics to abuse your ears. Saturday 12 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Originals and covers from Cardiff’s singer songwriter extraordinaire. Catch him while you can! Brit Floyd @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:00pm, £31.50* Britain has been crying out for a Pink Floyd tribute band good enough to play arenas, well here it is, you asked for it. Geraint Jarman @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £10* Welsh language legend, two-tone esq ska and rocksteady from a king among men. The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE* Electric ladyland brought back to live, metaphorically of course.

Keep It Cash @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £12* Following a mad tabasco binge Johnny couldn’t help comment of his…….. Did you here that Johnny Cash’s wife went to Indonesia? June Carter?…. The Temper Trap @ The Coal Exchange, 7:30pm, £14.50* Do not miss these soaring Australian rockers in one of the Capital’s finest venues. DJ Haydn Jay @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Energetic grooves and hot beats for you tonight on St Mary’s Street. Moondog @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Live danceable music in the form of rock ridden funk, get out and go, go, go. Starving Artists: The Four Owls / Jokestarr & More @ The Moon Club, 8:00pm, £6 adv* Leaf Dog and BVA of the three amigos, High Focus label founder Fliptrix and Verb T come together as hip-hop supergroup The Four Owls. Not to be missed. Rebecca Evans / Lemon Cello @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* Top local female talent with quirky acoustic ensemble support. Thoby Davis @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* A loopy, loopy man, with an extraordinary live show, highly recommended. Fat City @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £4* Throwing caution to the wind with their eclectic collection of foot-tingling tunes, expect the best genre-bending rhythms from the contemporary to the rare-groove. Tom Lukas Trio @ The Vulcan Lounge, 9:00pm, FREE* Entertainment at the Vulcan, ease your way into Saturday night. Sunday 13 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his rightful place, Morley has the Sunday stage, perfect for his folksy style.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Gringo Star and Houdini Dax @ The Moon,

13 MAY

Described by Rolling Stone as having hints of The Beatles and Kinks, American four piece Gringo Star are set to be a delightful addition to Cardiff’s music calendar this month. Throw in deliverers of straight up rock with a dash of psychedelic pop, Houdini Dax, and you’re set for a fine evening.

Thoby Davis @ The North Star, 1:00pm, FREE* A man, a juke-

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

box, a mythical, mythical wonder. Come on down for Mr Davis. Open Mic @ The Live Lounge, 3:30pm, FREE* Your chance to prove to the Lounge what they are missing, the stage is set, its up to you to step up. Marie @ The Live Lounge, 6:30pm, FREE* The merry tinklier tickles the ivories over a roast, delicious roast. Alkaline Trio / Dave Hause / The Dear And The Departed @ The Great Hall, 7:00pm, £16.50* Dark melodic (and by now legendary) skater punk veterans are on tour and always a treat. Highly recommended. Dizzy Cuttlefish Presents: Rusty Shackle / Bridges / 50 One / Lisa Hopkins / Trystan Clarke @ Gwdihw, 7:00pm, £4* An energetic live oddity, drawing influences from bluegrass, folk, Celtic, and old time blues. S & M @ O’Neills St Mary’s Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Simon and Marfunckle promise a rousing set of your favorite covers, every sunday. Gringo Star / Houdini Dax @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £5 / £4 adv* Garage flavored, Kinks infused pop and retromanical rhythm and blues from the US, with support from frenzied local three piece. With a Song in My Heart @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £12.00, £15.50, £19.50* Performances from the West End, featuring X factor’s Rhydian Roberts and Lucie Jones BBC’s Any Dream Will Do Joseph Craig Chalmers. Colum Regan @ The Live Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Bluesy tones and folksy whimsy from the cabaret chameleon. Come and enjoy. Funeral Suits / The Lay-Lows @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £6 / £5 adv* Morbid lyrical purveyors of epic, angsty rock, with support from Cardiff’s own Funky freelancers. A Shot of Jazz @ A Shot In The Dark, 08:00pm, £TBA* Regular warblings in an intimate setting, featuring the best of local (and not so local) talent. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Cut your teeth tonight under the Vulcan’s bright lights, with a cozy and hospitable host. Goose @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* Electric, aquatic covers and originals from the rockiest folks in town. Monday 14 May Smoking Aces @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Credulous covers from rock and roll royalty, Cardiff’s favorites in light-entertainment. Trevor and Jones @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm,

FREE* Song-smithery by afternoon, lightly strummed guitars and twinkling keys over late-lunch. Making Music & More Making Music @ The Gate, 6:00pm, £9.50 / £8.50* Learn how to play improvised rock and pop grooves and basic chord sequences with an experienced jazz educator and performer. Open Mic Night @ The Old Libary, 7:00pm, FREE* Chance to wow the masses with your imagination and verve Smoking Aces @ O’Neills St Mary’s St, 7:00pm, FREE* The hardest working band in town, no wonder they are smoking. An Appointment with The Waterboys @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £28.50* Genre busting fisherman’s blues from genuine popular music royalty. Open Mic Night @ O’Neill’s St Mary’s St, 8:00pm, FREE* A popular and lively open mic, come and show your support, or maybe even give it a go. Swn Presents: Fixers / Rapids! / Go On, Do It! Jump @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £8 adv* Huge homegrown purveyors of the new US psych-pop. Think MGMT and Animal Collective. A New Old-Fashioned Jazz Band @ Cafe Jazz, 8:30pm, £3 / £2.50 conc* Classic Jazz and Swing, light-hearted songs, and original writing, in the style of the 1930s New York. Traditional Welsh Sessions @ Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE* Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Tuesday 15 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Floppy haired, lovely-boy serenades the masses every tuesday with peerless class. Lunchtime Concert: Sarah Trickey & Daniel Tong @ St David’s Hall, 1:00pm, £6.50 / £5.50 adv* Sarah Trickey brings her beautifully refined tone and her fiery and passionate performance style to Cardiff. Robert Cross @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* An acoustic gemstone in a landscape of granite, join Cross for radio classics. Gig Diwedd Blwyddyn Prifysgol Morgannwg (University of Glamorgan End-of-Year Gig) @ Gwdihw, 7:30pm, FREE* The University’s end of year gig including a special acoustic set by new welsh upstarts Yr Angen. Marina and The Diamonds @ The Coal Exchange, 7:30pm, £20* A melodramatic homecoming for pop’s young starlet. Expect animal chatter and bags of attitude.

Swn Presents: Admiral Fallow @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £8 adv* Fyfe Dangerfield endorsed orchestral indie folk – pop from Scotland. Roots Unearthed: Heidi Talbot @ St David’s Hall, 8:00pm, £13 / £12 adv* A voice that’s both awestruck and tender, classical traditional folk from Ireland.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Marina & The Diamonds @ Coal Exchange,

15 MAY

She’s a lady who needs little introduction. Having taken the pop scene by storm with her debut album, the Abergavenny born Marina has attitude, vocals that’ll only wow you and some hipshakin’ tunes to send you into party mode. Do we need to mention the BRIT Award nomination and MTV EMA win?

The John Davies Quartet @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4* Traditional and vintage Jazz, immaculate standards from not so far away. Wednesday 16 May Afternoon Concert with Matthias Bamert. @ Wales Millennium Centre, 2:00pm, £8 - £11* Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante, heard here next to one of Hindemith’s most ambitious later works Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Acoustic wednesdays at Live lounge continue with ‘our’ Tony’s humble song-smithery. Friday Night is Music Night @ St David’s Hall, 7:00pm, £15.00£29.50* Be part of BBC Radio 2′s legendary Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC Concert Orchestra. Jon Godwin @ O’Neills Trinity Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Acoustic entertainment every Wednesday, ask nicely and he might throw in a traditional Irish Jig. Open Mic hosted by The JimJam Band @ The Traders Tavern, 7:00pm, FREE* JimJam hosts another open mic in the Trader’s Crosswire: Bensh / Trwbador / Albatross Archive / Nation Radio DJs @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £4* After acclaimed performances at both SXSW and Toronto Music week, MMP’s favorite Cymru / Austrian three-piece are back Open Mic Wednesday @ Rileys Sports Bar, 7:30pm, FREE* Come on over to jam or collaborate! It’s free to watch & free to play! Swine Language Pre-

sents: Milk Music (US) / Eagulls / Chain Of Flowers @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £6* Premium progressive hardcore, playing only a handful of intimate UK shows Swn Presents: Spector / Gabriel Bruce / Violet @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £9* Hot guitar lead indie-rock, still bearing a tan from Coachella and recovering from Florence and the Machine support. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Get out of the garage and make your way to the stage, your first move to superstardom. Sugar Drop @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Alternative beats for your midweek dancefloor! The Combo @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4 / £3 conc* Live music and Jazz standards performed with aplomb. The Joy Collective: MXLX / Stacking Chairs @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £5* From the man who gave the world Team Brick, Matt Loveridge is back. A cast of Industrial noise ridden drone performing as loud as possible. Volente Single Launch / Blaidd @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £4* Compared by critics to the likes of Bjork and cult Indie favourites the Sundays, Welsh singer-songwriter Volente pops into 10FT Zouklambada @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Weekly dance classes for your health. Folk In The Owls Nest @ Gwdihw, 8:30pm, FREE* Back again for another night of folk and acoustic live music. Open Mic @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* The lights are low and the floor is open to both budding and experienced acts, a free drink for every performer. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* Another lovely evening of jazz upstairs in Dempsey’s Prophecy - Future Jungle @ 48 Below, 9:30pm, FREE* Old school jungle rhythms meet new school production techniques. Thursday 17 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Morley’s regular and reliable slot, filled with wood and string, resonance and popular song, delectable. The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE* Popular song, taken and performed, they don’t do requests… but there is no harm in asking. Swn Presents: Japandroids @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £8.50* Oh yes, oh yes, the punk infused noisenik duo are back, and it is going to be intense. Westlife @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:30pm, SOLD OUT* The four boys,

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020 | LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS four good looking boys, four good looking men groomed and raised by one Louis Walsh.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Japandroids @ Clwb Ifor Bach,

17 MAY

The whirling dervish that is the Japandroids live show circles into Cardiff, to energetically suck everything and everyone in Clwb up to another layer of consciousness. With new LP Celebration Rock looking to drop in June, expect this to be a particularly forthright rock set.

Eruption Button Presents: Hullabaloo / His Naked Torso / Greetings @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £5* Filthy ridiculous-fun live music from indienoise bands literally spewing happiness from their guitars. Live Soul night with Captain Hawkins @ Rockin’ Chair, 08:00pm, FREE* Soulful piano and accordion from the enigma that is Captain Hawkins. Hot Panda @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £6 / £5 adv* Freshly squeezed Canadian Indie rock, named after a Chinese restaurant don’t you know. No Sweat: Sam Eden / David Newington @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Powerful vocals and engaging lyrics, intricate piano melodies and delicate guitar styles. Open Mic Night presented by: Box Fort @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, FREE* A fun and good natured open mic, a must for any would-be performers. The James Clark Self Help Group @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, 6 / £5 adv* Live performances of a mixture of new compositions and tunes from Duke Ellington to Astor Piazzolla. Nick Knock by CF5 @ Koko Gorillaz, 8:30pm, FREE* Popular jam night featuring a houseband with a full backline setup. Selected and guest musicians are invited to get up and mix up various styles. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* After yesterdays festivities, jazz is back and with more twists and turns. CYNT: Post Boat Party @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £5* Following a leisurely trip up the Taff, why not rave until the early hours with CYNT? Friday 18 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his regular

slot, Morley delights the locals over lunch. The Little @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Folky tones over late-afternoon, your antidote to the working week. Freeman Street @ Mocka Lounge, 5:00pm, FREE* Entertaining, soulful funk in Mocka tonight, guaranteed to stimulate those motor neurons and itch your feet. Tom Lukas @ Peppermint, 6:00pm, FREE* Prolific singer / songwriter, guaranteed to draw a smile. Fireflies / Eskimo Soup / Radiai @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £4* A demonic triple header of guitar heavy music. Rumney Folk Club: 6th Birthday @ Rumney Folk Club, 7:00pm, £3.50 / £1.50 (Musicians)* Come, bring your guitar and help the Folk club celebrate their 6th Birthday. They may bring cake. Limehouse Lizzy @ The Gate, 7:30pm, £14* A Celtic take on Thin Lizzy. Octave in concert @ Norwegian Church, 7:30pm, £8* Transporting you to “Broadway”, the “West End” and back to the golden era of “Hollywood” Renegade Sounds: Fighting Fiction / Fights & Fires / Question The Mark @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £3* Xtra Mile signed Fighting Fiction bring positive punk vibes (and fists) to the Moon. The Damned @ The Coal Exchange, 7:30pm, £18* Legendary punk veterans, still kicking, still screaming, still relevant. Westlife @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:30pm, SOLD OUT* The boys are back in town following their latest release probably Polemics @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* A feel-good mixture of hard-rocking covers and fun-loving originals, the perfect way to welcome the weekend. Statues of Us @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Bono’s favorite band and NME featured folk-popsters take the stage. It was Bono right? Maybe the Edge?! Under the Driftwood Tree @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Fearne Cotton’s love biscuits, Cardiff’s favorite (and best) acoustic act. Roosvelt @ The North Star, 8:30pm, Local entertainment at the North Star.FREE* Local entertainment at the North Star. Tropical Boogie Presents: Baila La Cumbia @ Gwdihw, 8:30pm, £3* Another evening of hot, sunshine global beats. This month is live Latin jives, start reaching for the lotion.

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

Mike Markey Rockabiliy @ Cafe Jazz, 10:00pm, £4* A treat for your ears, witness one of the best Blues slide guitarists in Wales. Aperture: Guests TBA @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £7 / £5 adv* Prime cuts of drum & bass goodness from around the world, with a support cast of of the finest resident dj’s. Simply Rad @ Undertone, 9:00pm, £TBA* A mix of Electro and Indie pop, disc spinning till the wee hours. Saturday 19 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Originals and covers from Cardiff’s singer songwriter extraordinaire. Catch him while you can! St David’s Praise: A Journey @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £12 / £11* Middle finger up to Dawkins with the finest Christian music spanning the centuries, with hymns and songs in many styles. The Communicators / DJ Roddy Moreno @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £5* Pragmatically named British ska, with support from Cardiff City supporting anti-fascist Welsh punk legend. The Lovely Eggs / Minor Characters @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £7* They are back! They are back! (whispers, I don’t get it) Who Cares!!! They are back. Chris Sumerill @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Local entertainment on St Mary’s Street, not to be missed. The Ped & Joe Show @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Ped is back!!! And look who he has brought along… Joe. Well guess what time is is……… Chloe Cooke @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* Young, up-and-coming, 19 year old Cardiffian singer/ songwriter. Tom Lukas @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* Extraordinary singer / songwriter, always entertaining, never boring. Candela @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3* Cardiff’s only genre encompassing dancefloor focused night. Sounds to make you salivate! System 909 @ Undertone, 10:00pm, £TBA* An eclectic mix from local DJ’s spinning some their favorite tunes till the early hours. Sunday 20 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his rightful place, Morley has the Sunday stage, perfect for his folksy style. Open Mic @ The Live Lounge, 3:30pm, FREE* Your chance to prove to the Lounge what they are missing, the stage is set, its up to you to step up.

Marie @ The Live Lounge, 6:30pm, FREE* The merry tinklier tickles the ivories over a roast, delicious roast. S & M @ O’Neills St Mary’s Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Simon and Marfunckle promise a rousing set of your favorite covers, every sunday. Indigo Live Presents: Said The Whale / Library Voices @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £7* Vancover based indie-rock, performing in their spiritual home….. that’s right…. Cardiff! Sunday Jazz @ Chapter Arts Centre, 7:30pm, FREE* An evening of melodic acoustic jazz in the Caffi Bar with the Glen Manby Quartet. The Horrors / Toy / Bo Ningen @ The Great Hall, 7:30pm, £14* Genre bending Krautrock, Garage, Electro, Punk. From London’s finest art school graduates. A Shot of Jazz @ A Shot In The Dark, 08:00pm, £TBA* Regular warblings in an intimate setting, featuring the best of local (and not so local) talent. Colum Regan @ The Live Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Bluesy tones and folksy whimsy from the cabaret chameleon. Come and enjoy. Open Mic with Anthony Lee Wickham @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Bring your axe and discuss (with your charming host) the most appropriate time to use it. Yip Deceiver (Of Montreal) / Joanna Gruesome / King Of Cats Vs Beta Blocker & The Body Clock @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £6 / £5 adv* A homage to 80′s electro and experimental dance from Of Montreal’s multiinstrumentalist. 2 Piece Sweet @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* Named after an unbelievable mishap with the front room furniture. Goose @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* Electric, aquatic covers and originals from the rockiest folks in town. Monday 21 May Smoking Aces @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Credulous covers from rock and roll royalty, Cardiff’s favorites in light-entertainment. Trevor and Jones @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Song-smithery by afternoon, lightly strummed guitars and twinkling keys over late-lunch. Making Music & More Making Music @ The Gate, 6:00pm, £9.50 / £8.50 conc* Learn how to play improvised rock and pop grooves and basic chord sequences with an experienced jazz

educator and performer. Open Mic Night @ The Old Libary, 7:00pm, FREE* No, it’s not a live display of Dr Guther Hagens grisly televised autopsy’s, but a chance to wow the masses. Smoking Aces @ O’Neills St Mary’s St, 7:00pm, FREE* The hardest working band in town, no wonder they are smoking. Duke Special / Foreign Slippers @ The Glee Club, 7:30pm, £12* Vaudeville hobo chic, in the classic singer / songwriter mold, but with one hell of a spin. A treat to behold. It Boys @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £6* Power pop from Los Angeles. No really! Just like the 90′s. WOOoo! Open Mic Night @ O’Neill’s St Mary’s St, 8:00pm, FREE* A popular and lively open mic, come and show your support, or maybe even give it a go. The Monday Swing Quintet @ Cafe Jazz, 8:30pm, FREE* John Clayton & Steve Koningsveld (guitars) Pete Wilson (clarinet) Alex Heavyside (vocals / flute) Tamasin Reardon (alto sax) – playing mainstream, modern swing. Traditional Welsh Sessions @ Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE* Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Tuesday 22 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Floppy haired, lovely-boy serenades the masses every Tuesday with peerless class. Robert Cross @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* An acoustic gemstone in a landscape of granite, join Cross for radio classics. Direct Hit / The Priceduifkes / Forrest / Not Since The Accident @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £5* Boot and braces styled singalong Punk Rock from Milwaukee. Give it Some @ Gwdihw, 7:30pm, £TBA* Give It Some presents…a pick of the best from the Cardiff music scene… and beyond! Hotpants Media presents: Jill Jackson @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £14.50* Alternative Country, tinged with Rock and Folk. Brought to us by the lovely people at Hotpants Media. Philharmonia Orchestra @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £10.50 - £33.50* The philharmonic performing Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. Phil Wall’s Jazz Cardinals @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4* Local heros and fanatics performing 1920’s, ‘I say darling, fancy some gin?’

style Jazz. Goose @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* There’s a Goose, loose, aboot this hoooose!!! Fun and frenzied party rock. Wednesday 23 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Acoustic wednesdays at Live lounge continue with ‘our’ Tony’s humble song-smithery. Jon Godwin @ O’Neills Trinity Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Acoustic entertainment every Wednesday, ask nicely and he might throw in a traditional Irish Jig. Open Mic hosted by The JimJam Band @ The Traders Tavern, 7:00pm, FREE* Strange as it may sound, James Blunt started at and open mic night. Find the next James Blunt – and bludgeon him. Sarah Jezabel Deva (Ex - Cradle of Filth) @ Bogiez, 7:00pm, £5* Famed female vocalist from Cradle of Filth and Therion comes for a performance with her band. Cardiff Tea Club @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, Darjeeling? FREE* Darjeeling? No thanks, I’ve just eaten. Chilled back grooves and a lovely atmosphere brought to you by local tea leafs. Karl Jenkins @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £15.50 - £32.50* Orchestra of Welsh National Opera Karl Jenkins conducts a superb concert featuring excerpts from his most popular works. Niki And The Dove @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £5* A Swedish duo on the up, Pitchfork endorsed celestial electro in a venue that is as suitable in name as it is in atmosphere.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Niki & The Dove @ The Moon,

23 MAY

This uber fastrising Swedish duo have already obtained Pitchfork approval and critical acclaim from, well, everywhere. With star-gazing electronics, an ambitious sense of theatre, and tunes teeming with life, this should be pretty special.

Open Mic Wednesday @ Rileys Sports Bar, 7:30pm, FREE* Come on over to jam or collaborate! It’s free to watch & free to play! Fat City Craft @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £2* Indulge your inner Neil Buchannan while listening to the finest soul, jazz, hip-hop, world, house, Latin and disco tunes.

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022 | LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS Joanna Chapman-Smith @ Norwegian Church, 8:00pm, £8* When alone on stage, or when joined by one or more international accompanists, Joanna draws on her love of storytelling and cabaret to charm unassuming crowds. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Get out of the garage and make your way to the stage, your first move to superstardom. Sugar Drop @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Alternative beats for your midweek dancefloor! Sugar Drop presents: Cloud Boat @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, £TBA* A hyperreal and ghostly scene of lurking subs and holo-ed drums summoning tormented voices from the ether. Zouklambada @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Weekly dance classes for your health. Open Mic @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* The lights are low and the floor is open to both budding and experienced acts, a free drink for every performer. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* Jazz is bloody cool and nights like this prove it! Prophecy - Future Jungle @ 48 Below, 9:30pm, FREE* Old school jungle rhythms meet new school production techniques. Face Value @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* Energy, party, face, value. Electrified rock from Wales. Thursday 24 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Morley’s regular and reliable slot, filled with wood and string, resonance and popular song, delectable. The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE* Popular song, taken and performed, they don’t do requests… but there is no harm in asking. Balderdash Presents: Sen Segur / The Gentle Good @ Gwdihw, 7:30pm, £3* A rare Cardiff appearance from the North Wales folk group who last year released their Pen Rhydd EP Indigo Live presents: Mark Morriss (The Bluetones) & Chris Helme (The Seahorses) @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £10* At the forefront of the UK indie scene in the 90s, between them The Bluetones and The Seahorses sold millions of records. Viking Skull / Support @ Bogiez, 7:30pm, £8* Get in, get fucked and get out. 7 Words that prompted the existence of Viking Skull, they promise to rape and pillage your ears like no other can!

Empty Lungs / Masts / The Effect / The Decoy @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £4* Fresh from supporting The Subways; straight up no Bullsh*t rock. Live Soul night with Captain Hawkins @ Rockin’ Chair, 8:00pm, FREE* Soulful piano and accordion from the enigma that is Captain Hawkins. No Sweat Presents: Jake Morley / Dewi Griffiths / Alex Sedgmond @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Serial blogger and laptop folktronica artist Morley comes to town. Open Mic Night presented by: Box Fort @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, FREE* A fun and good natured open mic, a must for any would-be performers. Simon Spillett @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £6 / £5 adv* A big toned wailing tenor player with the influences of Tubby Hayes and Johnny Griffin clearly discernible. Nick Knock by CF5 @ Koko Gorillaz, 8:30pm, FREE* Popular jam night featuring a houseband with a full backline setup. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* After yesterdays festivities, Jazz is back and with more twists and turns. Listen out for a variety of performers spanning cool to free. Friday 25 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his regular slot, Morley delights the locals over lunch. The Little @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Folky tones over late-afternoon, your antidote to the working week. A Branch of the Driftwood Tree @ Peppermint, 6:00pm, FREE* A little snippet from Cardiff’s favorite beach bums. BBC Now: Debussy & Shostakovich @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £10.00 - £26.00* Orchestral colours and troubled fury. Two masters from the late 19th and early 20th century European classical diaspora. Eric Unseen @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £4* Touted as the next Manics, catch this stadium rock band from the Valleys while they are performing in intimate venues like this. Saint Etienne @ The Gate, 7:30pm, £18.50* One of the bands who defined the early 90s indie dance genre. State of the Union: The Death of Her Money @ The Moon Club, 7:30pm, £3* Threepiece, Pelican supporting, sludge metal. A wonderful cacophony of noise to descend on Cardiff.

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

The Christians / Nick Ward @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £16.50* The Temptations in ripped jeans. Soulful 80′s boys are back and hungry for more. Vince Ray And The Boneshakers @ Bogiez, 7:30pm, £8* Rockabilly Voodoo Gretsch guitar over a rhythmic rockin’ tornado of pounding Rock’n’Roll drums and Psychobilly upright bass slapped senseless. Colum Regan / Red Power @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE * Regan is back!! The troublesome troubadour and, look, he’s brought a friend. F.A.O: Warrior One (King Pigeon) 1st Birthday Takeover @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £TBA* A fantastic brand of jungle and reggae infused UK funky. Sink your teeth into this. Polemics @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* A feel-good mixture of hard-rocking covers and fun-loving originals, the perfect way to welcome the weekend. Salvation @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* That’s entertainment, that’s entertainmaaaaaahhhhhhnnennttttt!!! Branch of the Driftwood Tree @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* A twig of the tree, or a branch? One section of Cardiff’s perennial favorites. Twlwyth Teg @ Gwdihw, 8:30pm, £3* Taking traditional Welsh folk song and injecting a healthy dose of eclecticism. Baroque, Classical to Metal. Riff Raff @ Cafe Jazz, 10:00pm, £4* Live music of the Blues ilk tonight at Cafe Jazz. Blah! Blah! Blah! (Special Kids In Glass Houses DJ Set) @ The Moon Club, 10:30pm, £TBA* Listen to the record collections of Welsh metal royalty, accompanied by your usual alternative floor fillers. Electronic Goods Presents: Floating Points / Space Dimension Controller @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £10* Plastic people resident with an interest in all things analogue, and a warm and textured collage of past. Saturday 26 May Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Originals and covers from Cardiff’s singer songwriter extraordinaire. Catch him while you can! The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE* Electric ladyland brought back to live, metaphorically of course. Eric Clapton and George Harrison Tribute. @ The Gate, 7:30pm, £15* Two of the UK’s most celebrated popular musi-

cians. Strangely, these two musicians have also ‘shared’ wives. Kyshera @ Buffalo Bar, 7:30pm, £4* A congregation of strange, strange minds. Progressive Grunge in its loosest term, one can only describe as Konic. Ramin: In Concert @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £15.00-£35.00* One of Sony’s most exciting new signings, with a much anticipated new album released in March 2012. We Are The AfterGlow / Samba Lucas / Spider Kitten @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £6* Energetic post-hardcore from MMP favorites with support from fresh-faced locals too. Tom Lukas Trio @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Local entertainment in the city centre, the perfect way to start your night. Funkadelic Presents: Inc.A @ Gwdihw, 8:30pm, £3* Sultry strings and a powerful brass section, an original mix of jazz, drum and bass, gypsy, breaks, hiphop and funk. KYMO @ The North Star, 8:30pm, FREE* Live entertainment from local starlets. Tylwyth Teg / General Jumbo @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* Entertaining and effervescent Welsh language folk with a twist, always superb. Salvation Duo @ The Vulcan Lounge, 9:00pm, FREE* Saturday night entertainment at the Vulcan, better than the movies and a damn-sight better value for money. Punks In The Beerlight @ Undertone, 9:00pm, £3* Love for all things old school. Those late nighties nights in the youth club car park. Liquefied nostalgia. Sunday 27 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* In his rightful place, Morley has the Sunday stage, perfect for his folksy style. Car Park Delete @ Gwdihw, 1:00pm, £10* Delete’s 2nd birthday, where they have Germany’s Move D, Delete DJs and local Cardiff talent, bringing you over 12 hours of house music on a funktion one sound system. KYMO @ The North Star, 1:00pm, FREE* Lunchtime entertainment in Cathays. Open Mic @ The Live Lounge, 3:30pm, FREE* Your chance to prove to the Lounge what they are missing, the stage is set, its up to you to step up. Marie @ The Live Lounge, 6:30pm, FREE* The merry tinklier tickles the ivories over a roast, delicious roast. Ozric Tentacles @ Clwb

Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £14* Multi-million selling independent, instrumental psychedelic, space-rock from Somerset. The pinnacle of far-out DIY enterprise. S & M @ O’Neills St Mary’s Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Simon and Marfunckle promise a rousing set of your favorite covers, every sunday. Colum Regan @ The Live Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Bluesy tones and folksy whimsy from the cabaret chameleon. Come and enjoy. A Shot of Jazz @ A Shot In The Dark, 08:00pm, £TBA* Regular warblings in an intimate setting, featuring the best of local (and not so local) talent. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE* Cut your teeth tonight under the Vulcan’s bright lights, with a cozy and hospitable host. Seconds From Ruin / Dodgem X @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £4* Straight up guitar based rock with a twist. Goose @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE* Electric, aquatic covers and originals from the rockiest folks in town. Monday 28 May Smoking Aces @ The Live Lounge, 12:00am, FREE* Credulous covers from rock and roll royalty, Cardiff’s favorites in light-entertainment. Open Mic Night @ O’Neill’s St Mary’s St, 8:00am, FREE* A popular and lively open mic, come and show your support, or maybe even give it a go. Trevor and Jones @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Song-smithery by afternoon, lightly strummed guitars and twinkling keys over late-lunch. Making Music & More Making Music @ The Gate, 6:00pm, £9.50 / £8.50 conc* Learn how to play improvised rock and pop grooves and basic chord sequences with an experienced jazz educator and performer. Open Mic Night @ The Old Libary, 7:00pm, FREE* No, it’s not a live display of Dr Guther Hagens grisly televised autopsy’s, but a chance to wow the masses. Smoking Aces @ O’Neills St Mary’s St, 7:00pm, FREE* The hardest working band in town, no wonder they are smoking. Heather Peace @ The Glee Club, 7:30pm, £16.50* British actress gets back to her roots as a singer/songwriter. Join Peace on her European tour in promotion of her debut album. Mumford And Sons @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £23.50* Undoubtedly

the big story in music of 2011. Mumford and Sons have popularised an epic strain of Folk. Slam Dunk Festival - Wales: Taking Back Sunday / Motion City Soundtrack & Many More @ The Great Hall, 7:30pm, £22.50 - £26* The Welsh leg of Britain’s answer to the Warped tour. An acclaimed line-up of American punk rock. DZ Deathrays @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, £7 / £6 adv* Thrash metal from Brisbane Australia. Heavier than an anvil, lighter than a truck. Jazz Revhŵ Presents: Arek Mazurek Quartet @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £3* An energetic four piece with an eclectic mix of material and grounded in the swinging straight style of jazz. Jelly Roll Jones @ Cafe Jazz, 8:30pm, FREE* Cardiff based old time jug band/hokum blues from the 20s and 30s. Traditional Welsh Sessions @ Cayo Arms, 8:30pm, FREE* Come and hear, sing and play Welsh tunes in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Itchy Feet @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £2* Electro-swing, Jazz and Rock n’ Roll. A barrel of laughs and a chuckle of steps. Tuesday 29 May Jazz Cafe @ The Gate, 8:00am, £3 / £2 conc* An evening of great music in the warm and friendly atmosphere of The Gate’s in-house Café Bar. Lunchtime Concert: Mavron Quartet @ St David’s Hall, 1:00pm, £6.50 / £5.50 adv* To mark the Mavron Quartet’s tenth anniversary, the Hall’s Ensemble in Residence have commissioned a work from Welsh composer Rhian Samuel. Robert Cross @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* An acoustic gemstone in a landscape of granite, join Cross for radio classics. Orchard Entertainment Presents: Dick Valentine @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £8* Sans Electric Six, Valentine promises an evening of electricity and shameless Lincoln impersonation. Jazz Revhŵ Special @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £TBA* This month sees a special extra evening of Jazz Revhŵ with a line-up of very special surprise bands. Roots Unearthed: Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas @ St David’s Hall, 8:00pm, £13 / £12 adv* A live show of dazzling teamwork, driving, dancing rhythms, and a shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of Scottish tunes. The Wessex New Orleans Band @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4*

024 | LISTINGS LIVE EVENTS Good-time jazz and swing in the traditional styles of the ’20s and ’30s. Wednesday 30 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE* Acoustic Wednesdays at Live lounge continue with ‘our’ Tony’s humble song-smithery.

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Lucy Rose @ Clwb Ifor Bach,

30 MAY

Delicate, intricate and and an all round charmer, Lucy Rose is one to watch. Having toured with Ben Howard, Lucy’s boasts a wonderful ability to take you away with her twinkling guitar strings, soothing voice and emotive lyrics. We think she’s just grand.

Jon Godwin @ O’Neills Trinity Street, 7:00pm, FREE* Acoustic entertainment every Wednesday, ask nicely and he might throw in a traditional Irish Jig. Open Mic hosted by The JimJam Band @ The Traders Tavern, 7:00pm, FREE* Strange as it may sound, James Blunt started at and open mic night. Find the next James Blunt – and bludgeon him. Lucy Rose / Nathan Holme @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £8* A voice that could melt the stoniest of hearts, revered by many, hated by few… this acoustic songstress is on the up. Open Mic Wednesday @ Rileys Sports Bar, 7:30pm, FREE* Come on over to jam or collaborate! It’s free to watch & free to play! Every Week – with alternatve hosts, Chris

(Under the Driftwood Tree) & Calum ( Calum Ross & the Scarlets). Mark Sambell Trio @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £4 / £3 conc* Pianist Mark Sambell presents an open format trio which sets out to explore harmonic depths in classic and contemporary compositions. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE* Get out of the garage and make your way to the stage, your first move to superstardom. Sugar Drop @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Alternative beats for your midweek dancefloor! Zouklambada @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE* Weekly dance classes for your health. Open Mic @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE* The lights are low and the floor is open to both budding and experienced acts, a free drink for every performer. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* Jazz, once synonymous with rebellion and innovation, now cold like Boxing Day Turkey. It doesn’t have to be like this you know, and Goddamn these kind curators are doing their bit. Prophecy - Future Jungle @ 48 Below, 9:30pm, FREE* Old school jungle rhythms meet new school production techniques. Expect production competitions, residency battles and free giveaways every week. Thursday 31 May Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE* Morley’s regular and reliable slot, filled with wood and string, resonance and popular song, delectable. The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE* Popular song, taken and performed, they don’t do requests…

but there is no harm in asking. Katell Keineg @ Chapter Arts Centre, 7:30pm, £6* An ethereal, euphoric singer / songwriter and genuine free-spirit. Katell joins us from New York via Ireland, wooing all in her wake. Swn Presents: Islet / Hail! The Planes / Mars To Stay @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, £7* A fresh look at indie rock, sublime frequencies from Cardiff’s progressive-pop contingent. The Carpenters Tribute Show @ The Gate, 7:30pm, £10* This charming and atmospheric tribute show charts Karen and Richard’s success from their first No1 selling single ”Close to You” recreating many of their immense platinum selling records…. and best of all – it’s completely live. Live Soul night with Captain Hawkins @ Rockin’ Chair, 08:00pm, FREE* Soulful piano and accordion from the enigma that is Captain Hawkins. Coltrane Dedication @ Cafe Jazz, 8:00pm, £6 / £5 adv* Taking the music of John Coltrane and pushing on, riding on his wake Mowbird / Furrow / Andrew Paul Regan / Greetings & DJs tba 8pm £4 entry @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £4* Bratty surf-punk quartet from Wrexham. Queens of DIY and proud of lo-fi, you are just as likely to find them snorkelling as playing live! No Sweat presents: Lowri Evans / Laurence Made Me Cry / Joseph Ainscough @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE* Bi-lingual folk with a hint of Jazz. Open Mic Night presented by: Box Fort @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, FREE* A fun and good-natured

open mic, a must for any would-be performers. Nick Knock by CF5 @ Koko Gorillaz, 8:30pm, FREE* Popular jam night featuring a houseband with a full backline setup. Selected and guest musicians are invited to get up and mix

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Islet / Hail! The Planes @ Clwb Ifor Bach,

31 MAY

One hell of a way to round up a viciously intense musical month. Local indie-alternative folks doing great, Islet, take their manic live show to the confines of Clwb with the similarly brilliant Hail! The Planes’ literary post-folk making this all the more outstanding.

up various styles. Jazz at Dempseys @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5* After yesterdays festivities, Jazz is back and with more twists and turns. Listen out for a variety of performers spanning cool to free. On The Rocks Presents: New Street Adventure / The Sweet Spots @ 10 Feet Tall, 9:00pm, FREE* A night of grade A Soul, with a Funk edge. Dazzling horns from London with groove ridden local heroes for support. CYNT: Residents Special @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £5* Watch the CYNT residents battle it out, Future House vs Electro vs Dragon Ninja.

Event Not Listed? Email us: listings@themmp.tv Deadline: 15th of each month prior to publication.

www.themmp.tv MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

Wednesday 9th May 2012

Friday 18th May 2012

FRANCOIS & THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS

Span Arts And Swn presents

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Queen’s Hall, Narbeth

£6.50 adv / 7.30pm / 14+ Show

SOLD OUT / 7.30pm / All ages

Saturday 12th May 2012

Sunday 20th May 2012

THE TEMPER TRAP

THE HORRORS

The Coal Exchange, Cardiff £14.50 adv / 7.30pm / 14+ show

Monday 14th May 2012

FIXERS

JODIE MARIE

SWN IS ALSO PRESENTING MUSIC AT:

w/HARRY KEYWORTH & LOWRI EVANS

MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL Friday 4th May – Sunday 6th May 2012

w/TOY, BO NINGEN

Solus, Cardiff University

www.machcomedyfest.co.uk

£14 adv / 7.30pm / 18+ show

Thursday 31st May 2012 SPAN ARTS AND SWN presents

w/RAPIDS! / GO ON,DO IT, JUMP

Buffalo Bar, Cardiff

CAMDEN CRAWL

LUCY ROSE

Black Cap, Camden, London

Queens Hall, Narberth

£8 adv / 7:30pm / 18+ show

Saturday 5th May 2012

£8 / £7 (Conc/Mem) / 8pm / No age restrictions

Tuesday 15th May 2012 Kilimanjaro Live & SWN presents

MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS The Coal Exchange, Cardiff £20 adv / 7.30pm / 14+ Show

Thursday 31st May 2012

ISLET

w/HAIL! THE PLANES / MARS TO STAY £7 adv / 7.30pm / 18+ show

Sunday 4th November 2012

Tuesday 15th May 2012

BEN HOWARD

ADMIRAL FALLOW Buffalo Bar, Cardiff

DINEFWR LITERATURE FESTIVAL

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult

SWN and Gathered In Song presents

Inc. Mowbird, Trwbador, Among Brothers, Kutosis

National Trust’s Dinefwr Park and Castle, Carmarthenshire, Wales Friday 29th June – Sunday 1st July 2012

w/WILLY MASON

Inc. Gruff Rhys, Julian Cope, Emmy The Great + more

Cardiff University, Great Hall SOLD OUT / 7:30pm / 14+ show

£8 adv / 7.30pm / 18+ show

Wednesday 16th May 2012

www.dinefwrliteraturefestival.co.uk

Wednesday 14th November 2012 Kilimanjaro Live & SWN presents

SPECTOR

w/GABRIEL BRUCE & VIOLET

FRANK TURNER & THE SLEEPING SOULS

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

£9 adv / 7.30pm / 14+ show

7:30pm / £18adv

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Walled Garden Stage Friday 17th August 2012 Glanusk Park, Wales

Thursday 17th May 2012

Inc. Lucy Rose, KWES, Mowbird Valdoinmessico, No Thee No Ess, Chailo Sim, Joanna Gruesome, Sen Segur & Greta Isaac

JAPANDROIDS Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff £8.50 adv / 14+ show

tickets for all our shows available from swnpresents.com wegottickets.com

seetickets.com ticketlineuk.com cardiffboxoffice.com Gigantic.com

hmv.com bristol ticket shop Spillers Records Derrick Records

SWN is pronounced ‘soon’ and is Welsh for ‘sound’

026 | LISTINGS CLUBNIGHTS

REGULAR CLUB NIGHTS Wednesdays

Thursdays

Fridays

Blender @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, * Fashionable midweek hangout with great tunes and good company.

Armageddon @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * Cardiff’s latest and greatest live rock and metal band night.

Blah Blah Blah @ The Moon, 07:00pm, £3 * Alternative floor fillers every Friday, bonza!

Sugar Drop @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Alternative beats for your midweek dancefloor! Zouklambada @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, FREE * Weekly dance class. Cocktail Heaven @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Cocktail-crazy midweek spot! Cookies ‘n’ Cream @ So-Lo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 9:00pm, * Great student night featuring colossal discounts with NUS. Get there early, it’s going to get messy. Transmission @ Bogiez, 10pm, FREE * A night of pure, hedonistic Indie-Alternative Rock taking a brief trip via the funky, the fashionable and the far-reaching. With Gary Twisted DJing every week. Prophecy - Future Jungle @ 48 Below, 9:30pm, * Old school jungle rhythms meet new school production techniques. Expect production competitions, residency battles and free giveaways every week

CLUBS OF THE MONTH Juju Nations feat. Two Man Ting @ Gwdihw, 5 MAY This month is the fourth birthday of Juju Nations. Subsequently, this means its four years worth of filthily fine and funky afrobeat being pumped beautifully layer upon layer into your ears. Live act Two Man Ting complement the carefully crafted DJ sets. Listen Up! @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:00pm, * Listen Up! is Cardiff’s longest running indie night. Head down to Clwb to bop and vogue the night away.

CLUBS OF THE MONTH CYNT: 2MANYDJs @ Solus, Cardiff Students’ Union, 6 MAY Not many people will get you jumping as much as this Belgian electronic duo. With bassthumping tunes that will send vibrations throughout the capital city, get on your dancing shoes and prepare to jump more than Skippy. On The Rocks @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Rock’n’roll, alternative mash-ups, guitar anthems, and party riffs till 4am! Hammer’d @ Bogiez, 9:00pm, * Weekly contemporary rock and metal night. From Metal to Metalcore, Emo to Screamo, Rock to Math-Rock, Pop-punk to Power-Metal, Dance to the undanceable Mocka Lounge Thursday @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Chilled house and R&B gallore! Signature @ Buffalo Bar, 9:00pm, * Experimental, electronica, new music, leftfield, dubstep, hip-hop, future house, glitch. DJs, live acts, fashion shows, graphics, live art, experimental cocktails. Twisted By Design @ Dempseys, 9:00pm, FREE * Twisted By Design’s usual eclectic mix of indie tunes and as many requests as humanly possible Propaganda @ GLAM, 10:00pm, £4 * Two incredible rooms of music every Thursday, one room of Pop and another of Indie. C-Y-N-T @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £4 * Electro, dubstep, techno, futurehouse. C-Y-N-T bring the biggest names to Cardiff, get in early.

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

Gigantic DJs @ The Full Moon, 07:00pm, FREE * Everything from bebop, funk, and soul to hip-hop, reggae, ska and electro swing! Funky Fridays @ So-Lo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 7:00pm, £3, £5(after 9) * Dj Snipes plus Guest DJ’s on Rotation. Axe the DJ @ NosDa, 8:00pm, * A new weekly event where the Bartenders Choose the ‘Choons. Anything from Funk Fusion/ Quentin Tarantino Music to German Techno Metal! Bumper @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, * Dance your drunken night away at Buffalo Bar. Hustle @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Motown and disco in 10 Feet tonight! Milgi @ Milgi’s, 8:00pm, * World / dance music from an array of DJs. The Great Eastern DJ’s @ Cardiff Arts Institute, 8:00pm, * On the outskirts of indie float the Great Eastern DJs. The Resurrection @ The Old Library, 8:00pm, * Playing a non stop supersonic mix of IndieBritpop-Alternative tunes. Xerox @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 8:00pm, * Fridays downstairs provides the best hipster music for all you gorgeous, fashionable types! Classic Fridays @ So-Lo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 9:00pm, * Friday night at So-Lo brings a mix of classic tracks throughout the years! Mocka Lounge Fridays @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Get ready for the weekend with some great tunes and lovely drinks at Mocka! Therapy @ GLAM, 9:00pm, * Providing your weekly dosage of unforgiving beats, heavy basslines and filthy floorfillers. Tombstone @ Bogiez, 9:00pm, * 100% Classic Rock & Metal

Saturdays Vanity - It’s All About You! @ GLAM, 08:00pm, * GLAM’s famous Vanity nights holds two levels of fantastic R&B, hip-hop, dance, everything you need to enjoy the night! Sweet Chocolate @ So-Lo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 7:00pm, FREE * Old Skool R’n’B alongside Berlin classics, would you believe it?

CLUBS OF THE MONTH Signature Reggae Party @ Buffalo, 10 MAY The Signature peeps drop breaks like they’re Greek plates but this time they’re focussing their attention on the under-nourished reggae crowds roaming the city. Christ knows there are enough of them, so we say, good call!

Resident DJ @ Cafe Jazz, 7:30pm, * Resident DJ and great music from the 1950’s up to the present expertly presented with a great atmosphere! Me and You Club @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Feelgood mix of indie to guide you through the weekend. Milgi @ Milgi’s, 8:00pm, * Every Friday + Saturday – world and dance tracks for your enjoyment! Saturdays @ Lava Lounge, 8:00pm, * Commercial hits galore at Lava Lounge tonight. Twisted by Design @ Dempseys, 8:00pm, * One of Cardiff’s longest running alternative nights every Saturday. Beatbox Ballroom @ Buffalo Bar, 9:00pm, * Weekly dose of soul and hip-hop. Bogiez Flagship and Namesake Night @ Bogiez, 9:00pm, * Ruling the roost as Cardiff’s Ultimate Rock, Metal & Alternative club night for just shy of 8 years! Music from way back when to current day, served up by our team of seasoned DJ’s who are always more than ready to take your requests!

Buzz / Berlins Returns! @ So-Lo (formerly Cougar Lounge), 9:00pm, * All the great old school R&B and hip-hop from the 80s and 90s! Five Dollar Shake @ The Full Moon, 9:00pm, * Everythingfrom bebop, funk and soul to hip hop, dancehall and electro swing! Koko Gorilaz @ Koko Gorilaz, 9:00pm, * Weekly mashup at Koko! Mocka Lounge Saturdays @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Go crazy for the weekend at Mocka every Saturday! So Funked Saturdays @ 411, 9:00pm, * So Funked Saturdays at the 411 brings you all the smooth grooves and urban floorfillers you’ll ever need. Saturdays @ The Old Library @ The Old Library, 10:00pm, * Open till 6am, featuring great tunes and cheap drinks. 3 Floor Party @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:00pm, £5 * Vinyl vendettas top floor, Mr Potter Rockabilly soul – middle and Motown below, an epic night.

CLUBS OF THE MONTH On The Rocks Bank Holiday Party @ 10 Feet Tall, 31 MAY Bank holidays are bloody amazing! There should be one at least every week and then we could all go and shake our shakalangs to beautiful beats with beautiful people. Here’s a chance. Live sounds from The Sweet Spots and New Street Adventure plus a funk tonne of tunes. Sundays Mocka Lounge Sundays @ Mocka Lounge, 8:00pm, * Wind down a chaotic week with a visit to Mocka. Sunday Social @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Chill out after a mad weekend at 10 Feet Tall. Sunday Nite Chillax @ Bar Icon, 11:00pm, * Whilst we don’t approve of their spelling of ‘nite’, we can deal with chillaxing aaaaall daaaaaay looooong.

Mondays Trojan Boss Sound @ Rockin Chair, 7:00pm, * Jamaican Ska, reggae, Funk Buffalo Live @ Buffalo Bar, 8:00pm, * Live bands, DJs & more 8pm – 3am Hangover Cure @ Mocka Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Sort your head out with this chilled out night. Late Night Live @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * Two floors of entertainment, chart hits and latest favourites at the bar, live music upstairs (door charge). Mindie @ Peppermint, 8:00pm, * Fancy a bit of Indie / Brit Pop? Head on over for the best tunes…. Salsa Classes @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, * Get your hips gyrating at these weekly salsa classes. Jagerfest Presents the Capital’s Favourite Monday Night @ GLAM, 10:00pm, FREE * Jagerfest is back ready for 2012 with full Jagerfest decor, incredible drinks deals and killer tunes over two floors every Monday! Tuesdays 10 Feet Live @ 10 Feet Tall, 8:00pm, * New music and party tunes in the bar till 4am! London DJ Che @ Rockin Chair, 8:00pm, * Dubstep, Drum & Bass, Funky House Open Mic Night & Karaoke @ WOW Bar, 8:00pm, * Your chance to get on stage and show the world what you’ve got! Salsa Classes @ Live Lounge, 8:00pm, * Come and learn some salsa at the Live Lounge, very popular class with a great atmosphere. Relax and Unwind @ Mocka Lounge, 9:00pm, * Loosen up at Mocka during your working week! Two Damm Glam Tuesdays @ GLAM, 10:00pm, * Expect Chart anthems and Dancefloor fillers! Open Door Tuesday @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:00pm, FREE * Good tunes, cheap drinks and a bucketful of requests, come down and sculpt your perfect night.

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REVIEWS ALBUMS NIC THOMAS

Sha La La Humble and sweet yet with some irresistibly catchy moments, Sha La La is a shining example of unashamedly accessible indie/pop and shows a huge amount of promise from this talented Welsh singer/songwriter. From the soaring harmonies over the opening Sky Is Wide Open through to the simple closing refrain on Sha La La each track is a lesson in producing memorable and well-written yet relatively simple songs with tasteful production levels which in no way detract from Thomas’ calling as a more than capable musician and songwriter. There’s nothing here that will throw the singer/songwriter genre into turmoil but what Thomas does, he does very, very well on what is an extremely enjoyable release. JS www.nicthomasmusic.com

ALIEN SQUARE

Yr Au’r Ar Baw Alien Square’s charmingly titled EP Yr Aur A’r Baw (The Gold and The Dirt) has a warm and almost surprisingly American folk-rock sound to it; surprising in that this North Walian group seem to have swerved wildly from the current Welsh language music vogue. Somehow a more mature sound, perhaps even slightly dated, rather than fashionably retro - the sixties American influences are apparent throughout the EP. However, these seem to be as diverse as they are obvious; from Eagles-esque guitar, to Neil Young lyrics and tone. Funky basslines and folksy riffs, slightly cheesy and simplistic in parts, but in keeping with their particular idiom. Perhaps a band to watch idly from the fringes on a sunny festival afternoon. JA www.facebook.com/AlienSquare

BAREFOOT DANCE OF THE SEA

Beneath Closed Eyes BDOTS are a vocal ensemble more than anything else, with all three members (including ex-Hot Puppy’s Bec and Beth) providing vocals and backing themselves with acoustic guitars, ukeles and minimal percussion. This ten song set features some gorgeous melodies and harmonies, particularly on the deceptively cheerful-sounding ‘I Won’t Think Of You’, and some classic song writing – album highlight ‘So It Goes’ is a heart-breakingly excellent exercise in intertwining guitar lines and luscious choral effects. Lyrical references to the sea, the land and olde artisan trades (see bluegrassy opener ‘The Build-A-House Song’) help to characterise them as typical British folk, and, while it might be a bit too twee for some, this album is a must have for fans of the genre. JOC barefootdanceofthesea.bandcamp.com

MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTORE

Jesus Christ Superstore Jesus Christ Superstore deal in a modern techno-poetry that is either intoxicating, odd or both. I should mention at the same time, it’s also kind of fun too. The Advantages Of Cybersex is traditional clubbing fare set apart by some interestingly conceived lyricism. Credit Crunch could fit in The Rocky Horror Picture Show but also rocks rather kookily along. Science Never Sleeps lies somewhere between the two, ending up almost like Gary Numan’s more recent output. It’s literally littered with fun, over-the-top, danceable tracks. Yet, there’s the feeling that lots of this material would work better in the club itself rather than in a sunny garden on a Sunday morning. Not a criticism, as in that context it would kick the proverbials into space. SMR www.mythic-loops.com

MAGPIE INSTINCT

Goalposts EP The talent factory that is Cardiff’s streets and suburbs continues to fire quality bands from its overactive conveyor belts. Magpie Instinct’s Goalposts EP offers opportunity to bask in the sunny jangle of late eighties melodic alternative indie-pop epitomised by The Las. The title track oozes this ambience, with slick interlacing guitars building to harmonised vocals and tight, determined percussive rhythms. Rudiments drops the pace somewhat and slips into an ever so slight dirge before the glockenspiel lightens the mood. But things are bright and breezy come closer Truth Man which passes by with dusty riffs, an interesting break and a catchy vocal hook. It’s early days for Magpie Instinct, but on the basis of this, and their live shows, there’s plenty of hope. SMR magpieinstinct.bandcamp.com

GRAND CANONICAL ENSEMBLE

“sobrellevar” Immersing oneself in a 90-minute album which has been physically released specifically on tape can seem a thankless task. However, in the case of Sobrellevar the effort is rewarded with some pleasing musical moments. Flowing along gently in a post-rock fashion, its ambience recalls Mogwai and Sigur Ros with atmospheric sound underpinning slow moving ostinati and occasional vocals. However, this is not something you’ll want to put on before a night down the boozer or to do some serious musical studying. It is much better suited to a good lie down with a soft, refreshing beverage after a hard day at ‘the office’. Give in to the delicate and melancholic guitar lines and just mong the hell out. JOC grandcanonicalensemble.bandcamp.com

ED STOCKHAM

Third Rail Just from the packaging it wasn’t too hard to tell that Ed Stockham was of the Jeffrey Lewis anti-folk ilk, even mirroring his cartooning capabilities. As with all lo-fi works, one has to accept the production for what it is, breathy and hissy, but it truly impresses with its melodic ideas and simplicity of construct. Tube To Victoria deploys this mantra effectively with jagged acoustic mingling with the sounds of a railway station. The simple plucking and self-deprecation of Burton Holmes, and the synth effects and wonky piano of 100 Balloons also offer interest. The downbeat mood can become a tad overwhelming when listening to the album through, but those who aren’t moved by Golden Box are stony folk indeed. SMR boxrocket.bandcamp.com

DIRTY GOODS

Dirty Goods Given that by now there’s probably some sort of constantly-updated online database of bands you’re allowed to like, it’s kind of refreshing to hear a band who are this unashamed of their poppy influences. Dirty Goods have all the shiny makings of Radio 1 A-listers, although it’s worth noting that for every empty, radiofriendly lyrical hook there’s a little glimmer of darkness – from the “nothing’s ever gonna change” frustration of ‘Surely Not’ to the confession that “I always knew I would never be with you” in ‘Hollywood’, there’s always the hazy hint that life isn’t such a killer party after all. Mind you, there’s still a lot to make you smile – their knack for a blinding synth line alone is enough to get Dirty Goods on the bands you’re allowed to like list for life. JDE facebook.com/dirtygoods

MR HUW

EP i’r Afiechydon Combining cute indie pop-rock and old children’s television show music, Mr Huw’s latest EP seems to embody the soul of happy kitschness! Retro electro sounds make this twangly guitar based release really very reminiscent of the childhood of anyone who may have been around in the seventies or eighties; though somehow manages to avoid sickeningly sentimental twee-dom. Indeed, it seems to effortlessly reach a pretty and melodic plateau that keeps your foot tapping and leaves you with the delicious after-taste of nostalgia in your ears. Welsh and English language lyrics, pretty and effective harmonies to catchy song structures and almost lo-fi production keep it simple and mellow. Makes one want to see it all performed live, special stuff indeed. JA mrhuw.com

REVIEWS SINGLES SATURDAY’S KIDS

JJ SNEED

Grey On White 7” With elements of grunge, post-punk and alt-rock in one fine cocktail, this ear belter from Saturday Kids ticks all of the boxes and is best served loud. If you’ve got a sweet tooth for a melodic onslaught of punchy drums, overdriven, screechy guitar riffs and fast paced tempo changes then you’ll almost certainly want to give this a listen. Track one Grey On White echoes early Melvins, while Black Pocket is a more fast paced affair harboring undertones of slight anger releated issues. Overall, this 7” boasts a well developed sound and I can’t wait to hear more. AW bombedout.com/bands/saturdaykids

Calon yn Llosgi With a name (probably unwittingly) lifted straight from the title of an old Dolly Parton song, you’d be forgiven for mistakenly expecting JJ Sneed to perpetrate a brand of traditional country music. Calon yn Llosgi is, in essence, an upbeat electro-trance style dance track, however, which opens with a really nice vocal refrain over a decidedly mellow intro (a lā Leftfield’s ‘Release the Pressure’). This then builds slowly into a great piece of upbeat drum and bass. The only really questionable aspect is its incredibly short running time, making it feel as though the track ends almost as soon as it kicks in. Promising stuff, though, and well worth a listen. JS soundcloud.com/jjsneed

CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN

Brokenarmy A track that harks back to the jangly Northern indie sound of the early noughties. Think The Hives meet Arctic Monkeys in a very dark alley; an encounter from which no-one emerges unscathed. It is a pop-by-numbers release with decent production and each musical element tidily played, though the track as a whole certainly amounts to no more than the sum of its parts. Nothing terrible, per se, but nothing spectacular. Damning with faint praise? Perhaps. In truth, this has all the potential to be popular when considered in the retro chic of the moment and we’ll see how their sound develops. JA www.catfishandandthebottlemen.com

REVIEWS DEMOS ELITE DAYS

Demo Pop-punk as a genre has died a bit of a death in recent years with very little credible material emerging from heavy-weights such as Green Day and New Found Glory and the average angry youngster turning to the post-punk hard-core peddled by the likes of Enter Shikari for their anarchic, rebellious fill. Elite Days are clearly heavily influenced by the former but unfortunately their attempts to recreate the tight, harmonious and anthemic choruses of their peers over catchy guitar riffs falls way short of the mark. Full credit for their enthusiasm and eye-catching image but, regrettably, that’s as positive as the plaudits are going to come. JS facebook.com/elitedays

BIG COLOURS

Demo The over-crowded neo-psychedelic indie train shows no signs of slowing, with the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club and Two Door Cinema Club leading the charge - and the influence of the genre is certainly evident on the tracks presented here by Big Colours. That said, whilst raw and poorly produced, these tracks really aren’t half bad. Follow Me Down is a simple, up-tempo track with an almost reggae/ ska feel to it and Wolves At Bay offers forth an infectious beat underneath a seriously catchy guitar riff which, bizarrely, echoes shades of Hank Marvin. Well worth a look. JS facebook.com/BigColoursMusic

THE SHOOTS

Demo A jaunty sixties/nineties feel plus fuzzy lady vocals and rocky electric guitars; these recordings capture something of the spirit of an authentic live performance , making one fancy a grungy bop on the sticky floor of a dark indie club rather a lot. Rhondda Two Step is very catchy and danceable, living up to its title; a formidable feat in the current clime of immaculate production and slick recordings. This Is The Way does actually lose its way somewhere in the middle, but soon picks itself back up again for a fabulous finale. Happily this is very, very promising stuff. JA reverbnation.com/shoots

SPILLERS PICK OF THE MONTH

COSMO

Picket Line Party Cosmo – a local protest singer who, as far as we can tell, has no ties with with the popular women’s magazine – was recording and uploading these tracks throughout 2011, and boy did that year give him a lot of fuel for his fire. These twelve songs skewer everyone from the government to the music industry to the English Defence League, and while the first few are fairly lighthearted – the EDL one is an enjoyable knees-up which features a kazoo solo and liberal use of the word ‘bollocks’ – Cosmo seems to become angrier and wearier as time and the album wear on. Still, hope outlasts all of the poverty, protests and police brutality that pass under the anarcho-folk microscope, and the Guthrie-esque closer could lift even the lowest of spirits. JDE www.cosmoguitar.net

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030 | SPOTLIGHT

FESTIVAL OVERVIEW

May. Here’s a fact. This month was named in the times of Greek mythology, drawn from the phrase - ‘May we all reside in tents at weekends to hide from the six-legged griffin of destiny’. And to this day, the tradition is ongoing worldwide with the idea of music festivals replacing the griffin as the primary focus. Words by Simon Read

And while 2012 may initially appear to have some notable casualties from the standard programme - Glastonbury, Sonicsphere and Small Nations all removing themselves from the picture - there’s still more fields to sit in than you could have ever dreamed or countenanced. Small. Big. Green. Yellow. Square. Oblong. Round. Next month we’ll be looking through all of the upcoming highlights from across this beautiful, mountainous, valley-ridden country of ours. But in the meantime, we should definitely point out the likes of Landed Festival happening near Rhayader in Powys on the

weekend of the 4th May, and the shing-a-ling funride of Troyfest taking place from the 25th to the 27th. As a prelude to a summer full of incredible highlights, this mighty pair offer no finer ingratiation. Plus, the big boys such as Green Man, Wakestock and Beach Break Live all look as though they will fire cannons in the face of the non-partying type. And, then, the infinite swell of boutique festivals sprouting up beneath every mushroom stool leads us to only one conclusion: Hubba-dubba-ding-dong!

MMPEXTRA

DOWNLOADSOCIETY

“I love, love, love Cardiff”

Look at your computer. Look at the cables and the router. And the flashing lights. Amazing to think that contained in all of that is a beauty of such immensity that, if we were exposed to it, our hearts would burst with light. That’s the Internet. Capable of absolutely anything whatsoever. Want a dog kicking a mouse in the face, it’s yours! Fancy two girls eating poo naked, you got it! Or how’s about something altogether more pleasant - loads of lovely free tracks from awesome Welsh artists! Enjoy!

Online

Imelda May is in the city this month off the back of taking the US by storm. The female pioneer of rockabilly in popular culture spared us some time for a chat. Read it at themmp.tv/ features/imeldamay

Watch out for the flash

Four years ago, Paul Scott Thomas invested his work bonus into camera equipment so he could pursue his passion. Having worked in-house for live music venues in Cardiff, Paul shared his love for the still image with us. Read it at themmp.tv/ features/paulthomas

Freebies !!

The Professor’s in town!

Stephen Paul Manderson, aka Professor Green, has embarked on his biggest UK tour to date and is hitting Cardiff along the way. We got on the phone to down to earth Hackney lad for some words. Read it at themmp.tv/ features/progreen

Opinion: It’s only ever a good thing

Back in March the Live Music Bill was passed, meaning small venues no longer need permission for live music between 8am - 11pm. We discuss how important this could be for upcoming talents and much loved venues. Read it at themmp. tv/features/livebill

01 BASTIONS 02 DRYMBAGO 03 PALOMINO PARTY 04 MR HUW 05 COSMO 06 ED STOCKHAM 07 BAREFOOT DANCE OF THE SEA 08 GLASS PEAR 09 DIRTY GOODS 10 NIC THOMAS

www.themmp.tv MAY 2012 | www.themmp.tv

www.tagliatelly.co.uk www.tagliatelly.co.uk

FREEMAN STREET www.freemanstreet.com

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HAYDN JAY (PASHA & SPACE)

soundcloud.com/HaydnJay

Best Supporting Actors TBC DJ Haydn Jay with Freeman Street DJ Haydn Jay Under the Driftwood Tree Chris Sumerill Salvation Tom Lukas Trio Photos By: Tim Short www.tagliatelly.co.uk