HOYFEST | LIVE PREVIEW
Now in its third year, Hoyfest is a force to be reckoned with amongst the festival scene, as a big one for Cardiff and Welsh bands in particular. With a change in venue and addition of extra days, 2018’s showcase is set to be the biggest and best year yet. Behind the scenes, promoter and musician Sam Hoy has worked hard to pull off the event, and despite its size and youth, Hoyfest is a strong contender in showcasing new talent and musicians that are set to become the ‘next big thing’.
Kicking off the lineup on Saturday are The Rotanas, whose guitarist James Wilson speaks of his excitement to play Hoyfest 2018. “It was at the top of the list of festivals we aimed to play when we first started out, so it feels great to be on the lineup. It’s the perfect way to start our festival playing career.” He adds how it is the perfect opportunity to show the punters, public and organisers what the band is capable of.
The festival is kicking off with an opening party at Womanby Street’s The Moon on Fri 28 Sept, which includes performances from The Caspiens, Pastel, Farebrother, Red Telephone and headliner The Velvet Hands. Into the weekend, the lineup sees indie-rock band Himalayas [left] returning to their Cardiff hometown to headline on Saturday, as well as dreampop Londoners, Anteros [top], who close Hoyfest 2018 on Sunday.
Past line ups have seen the likes of VANT, who have now taken an indefinite hiatus but who rose to fame by supporting the likes of Royal Blood, Biffy Clyro and Catfish & The Bottlemen; Merthyr foursome, Pretty Vicious, who recently released Move, the first single from their early 2019 debut album, and this year’s Saturday headliners, Himalayas, who have climbed up the bill after performing at the festival for the third year running. Show your support for small festivals, independent venues and new bands by having a boogie this weekend at Hoyfest.
words AMY FARRER
Hoyfest x CALM Welcome Party, The Moon, Cardiff, Fri 28 Sept. Admission: free. Info: facebook.com/themooncardiff; Hoyfest, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 29 + Sun 30 Sept. Tickets: £18 per day/£30 both days. Info: 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net