It’s a grim night outside but Tramshed is getting ready for a big ol’ party. Confidence Man are in town and ready to bring good vibes on this rainy Wednesday night. Opening up tonight are Raw Silk DJs, who provide an entertaining set of 80s throwback dance mixed with some modern beats to set the scene for what is to come.
At 9pm sharp, the Macarena starts to blast as Confidence Man take the stage – first the mysterious masked Clarence McGuffie and Reggie Goodchild appear, before Janet Planet and Sugar Bones creep onto stage in some David Byrne-esque big suits for the opening salvo of Toy Boy. The suits don’t last long and are gone in the first of tonight’s costume changes by the second song Out The Window as Planet and Bones reappear with more dance moves than previously thought humanly possible as they move their way through the first part of tonight’s ridiculously fantastic set. What I Like is a highlight, the crowd whooping by way of response during its chorus.

Disappearing off stage while McGuffie and Goodchild keep the party vibes going during Flute Song, Bones reappears in white suspenders, topless but for mystical light-up shoulder pads, while Planet dons a white dress and Madonna-esque bullet bra for Feels Like A Different Thing. The duo’s energy is absolutely incredible, and they don’t let it drop for a single second tonight: there are so many little moments of pop brilliance, such as Bones spraying champagne over the crowd during C.O.O.L Party.

Taking the opportunity for another costume change during Trumpet Song, Confidence Man’s main pair return in zebra print for an astonishingly fun run that includes Don’t You Know I’m In A Band and Holiday. Before departing for the encore, Planet lets the room know that it’s their first time ever in Wales and that they love us. Finishing the show with their viral hit cover of DJ Sammy’s version of Bryan Adams’ Heaven, it’s been pure unadulterated fun tonight without a single dull moment.
Confidence Man, Tramshed, Cardiff, Wed 16 Nov
words JOSHUA WILLIAMS photos NADINE BALLANTYNE
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