WELSH MUSIC PRIZE CONCERT | LIVE REVIEW
Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Wed 16 Oct
Do the folks behind the annual Welsh Music Prize have a secret fitness stratagem for Cardiff? If you were at the concert on Wed 16 then you were most likely up and down stairs as if you were inside of an M. C. Escher painting. Then again, it’s no compromise when you have the opportunity to watch some of the greatest accumulated musical talent Wales has to offer, all in the space of one night.
Seven of the 12 nominated for the prize came to Clwb Ifor Bach on the eve of the acclaimed Sŵn Festival to serve up appetisers from their much talked about 2012-13 album releases. Sweet Baboo hit us first with naked renditions of his self-deprecating indie pop. A stripped down approach with only an acoustic guitar and the humble overtones of his balmy falsetto made for an intimate, comfortable listen. His attempt to reach the audience on a more personal level was appreciated but I was anticipating more of a jolt from the evening’s initial proceedings.
My itch was nevertheless scratched by the follow-up, Fist Of The First Man, who deafened us with an earth-shuddering performance. When described as ‘cinematic’ by the compere, I couldn’t help thinking ‘cataclysmic’ to be a word more befitting. When this band plays, you feel it in your head and chest, as if bolts of lightning are landing terrifyingly close to you.
Back downstairs, Jo Whitby’s musical moniker Lawrence Made Me Cry is capable of eliciting many different thrusts of the folk/pop sphere, but seemingly not focused into one clear sound. There may be a little to go before Lawrence can make me cry…
Zervas & Pepper have played better shows but technical faults didn’t hinder their flawless vocal harmonies and wistful, summer ambience. They gave us some material off their nominated album Lifebringer but also cast us back to their early days with a powerful rendition of Cigar Store Indian.
Next, Trwbador demonstrated how well they can translate their quirky avant-pop from a very mechanical recording to a looser live performance. Their multi-layered loops, beats and samples were a joy to listen to and observe – a process I imagine difficult to perfect as a duo.
Downstairs, gentle folk songstress Georgia Ruth relinquished her inner turmoil, exploding onto the ground floor of {Clwb}. Her delicate vocals and harp were propelled forward by the driving force of her band. The crowd reacted favourably by joining her in booming chorus, proving her to be a favourite amongst the line up. Congratulations are in order for Georgia, who was announced as the winner of the Welsh Music Prize on Thurs 17. There’s no doubt she has an illustrious career ahead of her.
Finally, Little Arrow finished the live portion of the evening with a rousing, charismatic performance. I’d never witnessed their idiosyncratic live show before, but I’m told it’s entirely normal for frontman William Hughes to emerge as if entirely possessed by his own music. If a little unsettling, they certainly stole the show. Admittedly, I didn’t stick around for Gruff Rhys who was purported to DJ for the outset, but, you know… some of us have no end of smart-alecky opinion to go and write down.
words CHARLIE PIERCEY
photos SIMON AYRE