Tramshed, Cardiff
Thurs 30 March
Cardiff Music Awards was held at the Tramshed in Grangetown last week, from it only being its second year running, it felt very momentous celebrating such raw local talent in the capital. CHROMA, an Alt-Rock trio from Pontypridd, opened the show. The leading vocalist, Katie Hall has a mighty voice and a rebellious persona on stage. I particularly treasured moments where she held back and portrayed her softer voice. “Try Me,” a song they have in both Welsh and English is a sure winner. They have done very well this year within the Welsh music scene, by also swooping Best Breakthrough act at the awards I feel like their journey has just begun.
To anyone aware of Cardiff’s music scene must know how important Womamby Street is to local and national artists. I was surprised that Clwb Ifor Bach didn’t get nominated for Best Venue, especially due to the fact that the entire evening was based on saving Womamby Street. After rushing through nominations and winners, the brilliantly scuzzy Johnny Cage & The Voodoo Groove step onto the stage. They are the epitome of fun, their spirited and sweaty set carried a horde of dancers towards the stage. A mad combination of Blues, Rock and ‘Cubana Soul,’ with their traditional cover of Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) which, of course, was an instant crowd pleaser.
Then came the Astroid Boys, they succeed in introducing Welsh Grime to the masses. Listening to them through speakers does not give them any justice compared to the intensity of their live headline performance. Although the ceremony itself was quite low key, the Astroid Boys did not hold back after winning Best Group, Benjii and Traxx came down to the crowd for an intimate finish to their set. Their lyric “Look at us now…only ways up” from “Minging/Sticky” is so fitting for them as they continue to prosper in the underground scene.
DJ Ransom, the winner of this year’s Best DJ category closed the show, with a set by locally prominent Bodhi in the cocktail bar upstairs. The evening was a true testament to the quality of music that’s materialized from Cardiff, I hope next year will build on this year’s success.
words CADI DAFYDD JONES
