Which concert still stands out as the best you've attended in the city? What made that band/artist's performance here so extraordinary?
I would have to say it's a tie between three concerts I have seen in Cardiff, as they were all great for different reasons. I saw the Stereophonics, Tom Jones, and other bands at the Principality Stadium in 2022, and I attended this with my Dad, who is a huge Stereophonics fan. Personally, to experience this with him, and to witness the band in their home country was a special moment.
I also saw Harry Styles at the Principality Stadium in 2023, with my best friends from University. What made it so special was dancing at the back of the pit with my friend Joanna, especially spinning around together to his song 'Satellite', which was such a core memory for both of us.
Most recently, I saw Declan McKenna at The Great Hall, at Cardiff University. I had waited so long to see him in a 'gig setting', as I had missed out various times due to rescheduled lockdown gigs and unfortunately getting Covid myself. Declan's set that night was extraordinary, and he played a lot of songs off my favourite album 'Zeros'. My friends and I spent most of the night jumping around and singing to all of the bangers, which was such a fun experience.
Have you been to many of these artists' concerts?
I saw Declan McKenna at Victorious Festival in Portsmouth and Southsea in 2022, which was amazing as this was my first time seeing him. However, his set was only 30 minutes, which made me so eager to see one of his gigs. I saw the lead singer of the Stereophonics, Kelly Jones, at his solo show in Bath back in 2019, which I also attended with my Dad – he's a big fan! When it comes to Harry Styles, that was my first time seeing him, and to see him so close to home was even more special.
What was so special about their shows in Cardiff? Do you have any fun or memorable stories from that night?
The Stereophonics Concert was so special because of the amount of Welsh pride that you could feel pulsing around the stadium. The line-up consisted of all Welsh bands, and to have Tom Jones sing before the Stereophonics came on was truly amazing. Kelly Jones brought out Tom Jones to sing 'Mama Told Me Not To Come' during their set, and you could really feel the roar of people singing along.
Harry Styles' concert will always be a core memory for me because of the fun that Joanna and I had dancing along to his music, as well as joining the massive conga line during his song, 'Treat People with Kindness'. That was my last time with Joanna for a while before she went away for a job, so this was a very special way to send her off, and in her home country of Wales. Having all the girls come up to 'my neck of the woods' to experience his music together felt very special.
Declan McKenna brought out the Welsh flag at his gig, as we were the first venue to kick off his tour. As someone who grew up across the pond in North Somerset, Cardiff was somewhere I grew up visiting very frequently, so I feel a sense of pride when I'm at a gig over here. When Declan brought the flag out, it just solidified that feeling for me.
Additionally, as we look ahead to more live music in Cardiff's future, which artist or band that is scheduled to perform in Cardiff are you most excited for?
I wouldn’t call myself a ‘Swifite’ but I am excited for Taylor Swift to come to Cardiff because I think it’s so great she has chosen Cardiff as one of her cities, especially as many major artists forget Cardiff when choosing tour venues. In terms of music I listen to, I am very excited to sit in Bute Park and hopefully hear some of my favourite bands like Nothing But Thieves and Idles. As a girl born in Bristol, Idles were formed in the city, so it’ll be cool to be over here experience their noise! I also urge anyone to buy tickets for Nothing But Thieves because I’ve seen them twice and they’re amazing. Connor, the lead singer, has one of the best voices in alternative rock today.
