As Wales Goes Pop! approaches, Charlie Piercey talks to co-founder Liz Hunt (also of The School, pictured above) about the festival.
Now in its fourth year, how has the festival evolved over time? Are you accommodating a larger following?
Yes, our following has grown a bit. We now have more people travelling to Cardiff as well as locals, and picked up more attention from some national press. It seems to have evolved into a place people go to find their new favourite band, and see some favourites too. It’s also been good to build relations with booking agents and managers to reach the larger acts, as well as always looking for the best new acts.
What sort of music can we expect to see this year, do you feel constricted by the term ‘Pop’ at all or does it allow freedom of choice when you book acts?
No, it definitely allows more flexibility, I chose the term ‘pop’ because there are so many interpretations now. We have folk-pop, 60s pop, indiepop, electronic pop, noise pop, experimental pop… it’s basically anything decent with a tune.
Is it just as important to include Welsh acts as it was when you started?
Yes it’s very important and I’d really like to book more Welsh acts! I don’t have a target number but I still like to book a mixture of acts that includes Welsh/local, but only because I actually like them. I also love that Welsh acts get the chance to play to a slightly larger crowd than usual – I’m looking forward to seeing Instructions, Ani Glass, Baby Brave [left], My Name Is Ian and They Is They Is They Is.
Is there anyone you’re particularly looking forward to welcoming this time around?
We have a few anniversaries that we’re helping celebrate, like Los Campesinos! who formed 10 years ago while at Cardiff University. We also have plenty of bands on a London label, Fortuna Pop, who are celebrating their 20th anniversary – Darren Hayman, Pete Astor, Chorusgirl, The Spook School and The Loves are reforming for it. It’s also the 30th anniversary for BMX Bandits so I’m glad they’re coming to Wales. For newer bands, I’m really looking forward to Shopping [below], Gwenno, Peaness, Girls Names and Ultimate Painting.
Tell me a little about how it’s set out at The Gate this year, what do you predict the atmosphere will be like?
We have the theatre stage which is 400 capacity and it’s a mixture of standing and seated pews, we’re very lucky it’s so spacious. There’s also a cafe stage where acts play during changeovers. It’s always a friendly atmosphere, plenty of happy faces, families come because it’s all-ages, lots of people buying records and listening to bands.
Info and tickets: www.facebook.com/walesgoespop