As part of Independent Venue Week, Cardiff’s everlasting stomping ground for up-and-coming music Clwb Ifor Bach boasted a headline act to make any venue jealous. Brit Award winner and multi-platinum-selling artist James Bay is more than familiar with the insides of arenas and the tens of thousands singing along at festivals these days but is still humble and true to his roots with his support of independent venues.
A positive COVID test scuppered the original date in early February, but Bay swiftly rearranged and a lucky few hundred were treated to a very special and incredibly intimate solo performance, even if Storm Eunice tried her best to dampen proceedings. Support on the night fell to London-based Bridgend lad Rug Wilson. Putting on a show “up the road” in front of his friends and family, you could hear the proudness in his performance and his down-to-earth personality between songs. A recently-signed record deal makes this easy listening voice one to listen out for.
The venue filled to capacity come 8.30 pm as the star of the show graced the stage with nothing but a guitar and a spotlight. Early favourites in Bay’s set included Craving and Clocks Go Forward, but as everyone knows, the last few years has been an apt moment in time to write new material, and the guitarist was as keen to play it as the crowd was to hear it.
Bay says his most recent songs are up there with the most “positive” he’s written – taking inspiration from negative fallouts and personal doubts, but also happier experiences like the birth of his daughter and relationships with loved ones. The result? Future hits Nowhere Left To Go and Everybody Needs Someone. The cream of the new crop, for me, was We Used To Shine: Bay’s vocals soaring in parts, paired with rhythmic acoustic strumming.
Of course, it was a given that the hits from Bay’s back catalogue would find their way into the set, and the crowd revelled in flawless performances of Let It Go, Scars and the catchy Best Fake Smile. The emotionally-charged set came to a close with his best-known number, Hold Back The River.
It was clear to see the elation on the face of the singer-songwriter to be finally performing again, and if anything, James Bay’s live vocal is arguably better than what you hear on record. A perfect evening in an intimate venue.
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 19 Feb
words OWEN SCOURFIELD photos TIM ALBAN