A miserable Bank Holiday Monday in Cardiff is not the ideal backdrop for the UK’s newest rock saviours to do their thing, but the three-quarter filled Clwb Ifor Bach contingent are clearly the hardcore who will make the place bounce, whatever the weather. The constant touring machine that is south Wales’ James And The Cold Gun are back for another round and if you witnessed the boundless energy they exerted in their debut show here a while back, consider yourself fair warned: James and the Cold Gun have lapped the country a few times since then and are now a fully realised rock’n’roll force.
Singer James Joseph is developing into the consummate frontman. Josh Homme-esque with shades and slicked-back hair, he leads the band through a rip-roaring set culled from their latest EP False Start as well as already established crowd favourites like She Moves and Plug Me In. JATCG’s musical output was never in question, with a slew of impressive singles being released before their debut gig, but they’ve honed their skills in the live arena and know exactly how to get a crowd pumped up – and, more importantly, keep them there.
Joseph seems genuinely emotional as he declares his love for Cardiff, whilst insisting on more dancing and more pits. The rest of the band feed off that, throwing themselves around and occasionally off the stage whilst remaining impressively tight. They finish up with Long Way Home before finally allowing the crowd to bounce off into the night.
Livelier than the Vengaboys after a case of Red Bull, tonight marks another very remarkable outing from James And The Cold Gun, whose live energy is downright infectious.
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Mon 2 May
words CHRIS ANDREWS photos GEORGE GIRVAN / @georgegphoto
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