Hub Festival
Womanby Street, Cardiff
Fri 23-Sun 25 Aug
As the focal point for Cardiff’s music scene, it’s entirely fitting that Womanby Street should be the location for Hub Festival, set to take place (as usual) across a number of venues over the course of the August Bank Holiday weekend. Hub functions, at least in part, as a showcase for local talent, and Threatmantics, The Vega Bodegas, Spencer Segelov, Oh Peas!, My Name Is Ian and Papur Wal are among those benefiting from slots on this year’s bill. Out-of-towners are also welcome, though, with Mugstar, Sex Swing, Witching Waves and Charmpit the pick of the bunch (the latter two boasting Big Joanie’s Estella Adeyeri on bass).
The street’s Psych & Noise Festival each May is a broader church than its name might imply, but Hub serves up a significantly more diverse array of artists – perhaps best exemplified this year by the inaugural Community Stage, programmed by a quartet of local grime, hip-hop and drum’n’bass promoters. That commitment to diversity also extends to the incorporation of stand-up, art installations and music industry workshops.
With more than 120 live performances across the weekend, Hub is the sort of event that invites attendees to throw themselves in and discover unknown pleasures. Let’s face it: who could resist taking a punt on acts called 100% Rabbit, Clusterfuck or Godspeed You! Peter Andre?
Tickets: £26/£14 under-18s (weekend); £15/£7 under-18s (per day); free under-12s. Info: www.hubfestcardiff.co.uk (BW)