ELROW TOWN CARDIFF SINGER MORNING | LIVE REVIEW
SSE SWALEC, Cardiff, Sun 28 May
The Singer Mornings day festival in the SSE SWALEC cricket ground opened its gates to the brightly decorated attendees, all lathered in fake tan, body jewellery and enough cologne/perfume to punch a fresh hole in the ozone layer high above the whitewash sky. Shorts and no shirts was not expected for a typical Cardiff experience but the humidity from previous weeks of sun had lingered, making the surroundings attire suitable for the Ibiza vibes. This was to be the renowned rave’s Welsh debut and would prove to not only be a one-of-a-kind event but one, unfortunately, not without its problems.
Ridiculously long queues seemed to be the fly in the Carling as throughout the course of the day: conversations were overheard of hour long toilet/bar waits. Many at least understood the entrance delays for thorough bag checks and searches, heightened after the recent atrocities committed in Manchester, and the majority had nothing but good things to say about the festival in general.
The first thing to meet everyone’s gaze was the colossal, colourful Elrow Town DJ construct that epitomised the extravagant Elrow frivolity, forcing anything mundane to remain at the door. With an enormous range of fancy dress costumes – including Mario and Luigi’s synchronised dance routine, Popeye and Olive Oyl’s iconic partnership and even a bearded Barbie fondling a terrified member of the royal guard – the visual aspect was nothing short of spectacular.
From 12 in the afternoon till 10 in the evening, people danced, drank and dove head first into the inflatable-littered rave zone with a number of DJs at the music helm, playing a collection of songs that elevated the atmosphere with each passing track. Confetti cannons and colourful streamers were unleashed over the crowd as Eats Everything and Patrick Topping gave the people what they wanted, which was enough bass and beat to shuffle their feet to until they were red raw.
The consistent health checks from paramedics and security’s quick response to disturbances was noted during the hours that passed, while the performers continued to amuse the few front rows with their energetic theatrics and endless set interaction as intermittent showers gently speckled the men and women bopping away, fortunately avoiding any heavy downpour. Although there were some dilemmas, the conclusion was a highly successful May Bank Holiday event that would most certainly be welcomed back – with the promise of more toilets.
words and photos NATHAN ROACH