THE PRETENDERS | LIVE REVIEW

St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Fri 6 Oct

Chrissie Hynde is a grandmother, a vegetarian, an animal lover and still rocks at 65. What’s not to love about her? She, along with her fellow Pretenders, sauntered on to the stage with her trademark shaggy hair, skinny jeans, t-shirt and sequinned jacket, looking amazing. Opening track Alone got the crowd up and showing their appreciation; Hynde’s effortless swagger, not dissimilar to her 80s heyday, didn’t diminish at all across the two-hour-plus show.

Gotta Wait and Message Of Love quickly followed, and despite a few technical issues the gig flowed from Talk Of The Town onwards. Hynde intermittingly chatted about being in Cardiff, the evening’s Wales game and, more than once, her love for Atma vegan restaurant – whose staff clearly loved it, letting out loud whoops after each shout-out. Her voice still husky and unique after all these years, Hynde played along with her band which included the singer/guitarist from tonight’s support The Rails, who brought a mix of Americana and rock to the night. Long-time Pretenders drummer Martin Chambers was equally as charming, delighting the crowd with an epic drum solo.

The old ones are inevitably what the crowd came for, though, and a rendition of Private Life (as covered by Grace Jones) in reggae/dub stylee was appreciated. Chain Gang and I’ll Stand By You, massive anthems back in the day, got the majority dancing or swaying in their seats. Middle Of The Road saw her bring out the harmonica and bring the set to an epic close before the encore: I Go To Sleep and, of course, ultimate Pretenders anthem Brass In Pocket was the finale of a brilliant show. No bells and whistles, just seasoned musicians who brought their talent and swagger to the stage, with no signs of easing up any time soon.

words ANTONIA LEVAY photos GARETH GRIFFITHS