AL MOSES | LIVE REVIEW
Buffalo, Cardiff, Fri 23 Feb
Playing their first headline gig, south Wales rock band Al Moses bring the heat to Cardiff venue Buffalo. Supported by the Forte Project, who aim to develop the talents of new, young acts, Al Moses are one of 10 chosen artists in the South Wales area for 2018.
First up tonight are Parish, who get the crowd moving even while minimal in number. They look like average boys next door in their indie threads, but boast northern accents a la Alex Turner. This rock and roll theme continued as the opening riff of The Undertones’ Teenage Kicks blared through Buffalo’s gig room. The energy in here is exemplified by moshpits front of stage, justified by the heavier sound of the next act, indie rockers The Pitchforks. With several Cardiff gigs already under their belt, the crowd’s reaction is expected. The temperature is rising, hands are moving, sound is developing and The Pitchforks top things off with a cover of The Killers’ Mr Brightside.
Side of stage pre-set, Al Moses look calm and collected as their introductory song plays. Frontman Dafydd Thomas welcomes the crowd in an oversized leather jacket and sunglasses which are removed towards the end of the set: Buffalo is heating up. Al Moses top the bill and prove that they are worthy of doing so, applauded by fans and friends in the crowd who continue to dance with boundless energy. They even add to the cover bandwagon with a run through the Buzzcocks’ Ever Fallen In Love, a great suit for the 90s babies that make up the crowd (I only recognise it myself from its appearance in Shrek 2).
The companionship between Thomas and Jack Shephard on guitar and vocals is undeniable – the latter showing his confidence by taking over vocals for a song or two. When it seemed the band’s time was up, the crowd plead, “One more song!” Thomas, wearing a shirt bearing the band’s name, chants, “Who are we? Al fucking Moses!” They deserved a sellout tonight, and they got one.
words and photos AMY FARRER