Halloween: a night where goblins and ghouls come out to play, and on this occasion, so do the brats of Cardiff! Starting her UK tour in Wales’ capital, Yorkshire’s Delilah Bon crashed straight into Clwb Ifor Bach to make this October 31 an unforgettable one. They obviously dressed up for the occasion, as did the majority of the crowd – and we can definitely give an A for effort to all those who did.

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Bravely moshing in corsets, the Delilah Bon girls gave it their all to begin the night. Starting off with a classic, 2023 single Brat, she sings, “It’s me, it’s Delilah coming in with the flavour,”– a statement of intent backed up by the amount of spice that was sprinkled on this set. We saw high kicks, crowd participation and burlesque circus acrobatics, and were even handed lollipops from the stage (to signify the giving spirit of Halloween, of course).

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the evening for this attendee was Delilah Bon’s efforts to ensure everyone present feels safe. Delilah brought along the team from Safe Gigs For Women, who work with venues to reduce sexual assault in live music, to add that extra layer of security, but however you self-identify, rest assured you’re being looked out for in that room.

By celebrating each other’s successes and embracing diversity, we can create a vibrant community where everyone feels valued, heard and respected. Whether it’s cheering on accomplishments, offering a listening ear, or advocating for each other’s rights, this support network cultivates resilience and self-confidence. This was the atmosphere felt during Delilah Bon’s set, and I can’t wait to see her return.

Delilah Bon, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 31 Oct

words and photos CHLOE JACKSON-NOTT