BYW HAF | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Fri 7 Aug
Byw Haf was a night that combined really great craft beer, handmade pizza and six bands over two floors of Clwb Ifor Bach. The event drew a really great crowed who just wanted to relax and listen to some really great bands on a Friday night.
Kicking off the night were Cotton Wolf and Winter Villains’ ambient pop lullabies, which allowed you to settle into your craft beer or can of Red Stripe. Winter Villains especially stood out: their arrangements were mindblowing and left me relaxed and ready to take on the night. I think I might save a few quid, quit therapy and invest in one of their albums to soothe the mind.
Moving to the top floor of Clwb, Yak came out and blasted the audience with a heavy garage sound that shook you into a headbanging frenzy. Their EP definitely doesn’t capture the visceral atmosphere that they create live. Personally I think the three-piece London band stole the night completely and I’m looking forward to see what they go on and do in the near future.
Following the punk trance of Yak, Houdini Dax was unfortunately unimpressive. They’re not offensive by any means, but a little dull and derivative… kind of like Shredded Wheat. Their sound is like if The Beatles and the Arctic Monkeys had a love child and left it on the doorstep of Radio One. Saying this, their following in Cardiff is ever growing and most of their crowd at Clwb were totally into the set.
Overall the night was amazing and I hope Clwb can keep doing this on the regular, especially when it only cost £8 for a great night of entertainment.
words JAYDON MARTIN
