WALES GOES POP! | LIVE PREVIEW
The Gate / 10 Feet Tall / Undertone, Cardiff
Fri 29-Sun 31 Mar
words: HELEN LOCK
Wales Goes Pop! is an indie-pop weekender which boasts a huge line up of both much loved and newer faces in independent music, all organised by pop band The School. Taking place over the long Easter Bank Holiday weekend, Fri 29-Sun 31 Mar, the line-up boasts some brilliant acts. The Primitives, Let’s Wrestle, The Wave Pictures, Allo Darlin’, Kid Canaveral and Big Wave are just a few of the acts that have been announced, along with comedy courtesy of Josie Long. There will also be DJ sets from Elefant Records, Modern Life Is Rubbish and Chick Habit.
Eighties favourites The Primitives will no doubt be a huge draw for the weekend. Following the release of the band’s new compilation album on the 25th of March, they will be performing at Wales Goes Pop!, marking their return to the music scene. Between 1985-87, The Primitives released five singles and EPs on independent label Lazy Records, and had a worldwide hit with single Crash. The new album – Everything’s Shining Bright – is named after a previously unreleased record, and includes seven out of 10 previously unreleased tracks, along with a selection of other singles.
One of the event founders – and member of The School – Liz Hunt explains what she hopes to get out of Wales Goes Pop!.
“We want more people talking about independent pop music, buying pop records and discovering new bands. We like the idea that someone might find their new favourite band they hadn’t heard of before, and that it’s bringing together lots of lovely people from all over the place – it isn’t cliquey, and it’s not stuck in one genre, it’s just a weekend of listening to some really good music that’s got a bit of a tune.”
The festival takes place in a number of different locations, including two days at Cardiff’s stunning converted church The Gate, along with a smaller, add-on event at 10 Feet Tall. The weekend culminates in a closing party in 10 FeetTall’s basement, Undertone. One, two and three-day passes are available, so you can experience as much or as little of the festival as you like. Wales Goes Pop! is open to all ages, and children under 12 get in for free.
Tickets: £31 (all weekend)/£27 (Fri + Sat)/£15 (Fri or Sat only)/free under-12s. Info: www.facebook.com/walesgoespop
