WILDWOOD KIN | LIVE PREVIEW
Glee Club, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 2 Nov
A long-haired, three-piece, all-girl group whose members all come from the same family. So far, so HAIM, but this is Wildwood Kin – whose brand of soaring, harmony-drenched Anglo-Americana is distinctive enough to help them dodge most* of the obvious (/lazy) comparisons.
Sisters Beth and Emilie Key and their cousin, Meghann Loney, played their first gig – at their nan’s wedding – aged five, six and eight. Between them, they cover guitar, violin, keyboards, percussion and bouzouki (a kind of Greek lute) and share vocal duties, lending the band its trademark ethereal, anthemic sound. The short time since they self-released their first EP has seen them landing the Bob Harris Emerging Artist Of The Year Award, performing at Glastonbury 2017 and featuring on every track on Seth Lakeman’s latest album – a pretty rapid rise for a group who only decided to make music their full-time careers a couple of years ago.
Wildwood Kin cite Fleet Foxes, Fleetwood Mac and Mumford & Sons among their influences and these can be felt in the lilting melodies, rousing choruses and occasional wanders into heavier, synth-edged rock. And yes, they’re even a bit HAIM on the confident stomp of Taking A Hold and Run. This show is part of their first UK headline tour and the ideal chance to catch them on the intimate scale that suits them best.
* Not all
Tickets: £11. Info: 0871 4720400
words MEGAN CAMPBELL photos ANDY EARL