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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <?xml-stylesheet title="XSL_formatting" type="text/xsl" href="/blogs/shared/nolsol.xsl"?> <rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"> <channel> <title> Wales Music - Bethan Elfyn </title> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/</link> <description>A guide to music in Wales: blogging on festivals, gigs, events, festivals, news, radio sessions, bands, singers, choirs and more. Adam Walton's show on BBC Radio Wales has three hours of non-stop new music, exclusive session tracks and interesting chat, live from Wrexham. Adam's blog RSS feed Subscribe to Adam's posts via email Bethan Elfyn presents the best underground, unsigned and unheard Welsh acts on BBC Radio 1. Bethan's blog RSS feed Subscribe to Bethan's posts via email James McLaren has worked on the BBC Wales Music website since 2006, and has been writing about Welsh music for almost 15 years. James' blog RSS feed Subscribe to James' posts via email</description> <language>en</language> <copyright>Copyright 2010</copyright> <lastBuildDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:25:01 +0000</lastBuildDate> <generator>http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.1</generator> <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> <item> <title>Latitude Festival</title> <description><![CDATA[After another long drive through the night, I'm back from <a href="http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk/">Latitude Festival</a> in Suffolk, with many a pleasant memory of lost afternoons in the baking heat, of dusty walks throughout the woods, dancing till dawn, and - gulp - meeting <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/tom-jones/">SIR TOM JONES</a>! <script type="text/javascript"> gloader.load(["glow", "1"], { async: true, onLoad: function (glow) { glow.ready(function () { var emp = new embeddedMedia.Player(); emp.setWidth("512"); emp.setHeight("288"); emp.setDomId("emp2"); emp.setPlaylist("http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/media/flv/latitude-sweet-baboo.xml"); emp.write(); }); glow.ready(function () { var emp = new embeddedMedia.Player(); emp.setWidth("512"); emp.setHeight("288"); emp.setDomId("emp3"); emp.setPlaylist("http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/media/flv/latitude-islet.xml"); emp.write(); }); glow.ready(function () { var emp = new embeddedMedia.Player(); emp.setWidth("512"); emp.setHeight("288"); emp.setDomId("emp4"); emp.setPlaylist("http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/media/flv/latitude-y-niwl.xml"); emp.write(); }); } }); </script> Latitude has grown in stature in the last five years and has an incredible reputation for interesting curation. It offers some of the best in the world in the arts: poetry, literature, comedy, and music. For the past five years I've been invited by <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/innewmusicwetrust/huwstephens/">Huw Stephens</a> to DJ with the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thevinylvendettas">Vinyl Vendettas</a> on the wonderful open air Lake Stage, and it's always the highlight of the weekend for me: work, play and creative inspiration. Latitude festival always end up being so much more than a run-of-the-mill weekend experience. This year's festival started with a 'secret' performance by Tom Jones on the Wood Stage, in the heart of the woods on the Thursday. Playing his new album Praise And Blame, Tom took in country, gospel and blues in a back-to-basic Johnny Cash-style. It's a much darker and more menacing Tom. Sadly there were still shouts for Sex Bomb but they were just going to have to wait. After an amazing start to the festival, it was business as usual at Latitude on Friday. I walked around the site, through the woods, past the ballet on the waterfront stage, and through the Kids field, where the <a href="http://www.insectcircus.co.uk/">Insect Circus Museum</a> caught my eye, and on to nose around Pandora's Playground which has nooks and crannies of activities buzzing around. Then on, past the lovely milkshake stand, to the main stages. At Latitude I'm always camped around the Lake stage, and this year was no exception. Huw Stephens' curation of the Lake always provides some of the best new bands around and its great seeing them play to an enthusiastic crowd who are open minded and ready for anything. Highlights of this stage over the weekend include <a href="http://www.myspace.com/yniwl">Y Niwl</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/yuckband">Yuck</a>, <a href="http://thisisislet.com/">Islet</a>, <a href="Everything Everything">Everything Everything</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/teeth">Teeth</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/nedrymakesmusic">Nedry</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sweetbabootheband">Sweet Baboo</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/standardfare">Standard Fare</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/frankietheheartstrings">Frankie And The Heartstrings</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/zunzunegui">Zun Zun Egui</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/spectralspectral">Spectrals</a>. Over on the other stages I loved seeing <a href="http://www.myspace.com/girls">Girls</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/dirtyprojectors">Dirty Projectors</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/race-horses/">Race Horses</a> and one of the most highly-anticipated shows of the weekend from The National in the Word arena. In the cultural arena I managed to catch <a href="http://www.jonronson.com/">Jon Ronson</a> reading extracts from his new book all about psychopaths, and as always he was really funny and entertaining and I heard a little of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bret_Easton_Ellis">Bret Easton Ellis</a> plugging his new novel and droning on about how life in NY got a bit 'boring', and Robin Ince's book club - a Latitude institution. I'll be playing some of the bands I enjoyed watching <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bethanelfyn/">on my show</a> tonight (Wednesday 21 July) on BBC Radio One. Here's some video clips from three of the Welsh bands I caught up with at Latitude; it's just my little backstage cam (on my phone) so the sound is is a bit rubbish I'm afraid. Enjoy. Steve from Sweet Baboo: <div id="emp2" class="player"> In order to see this content you need to have both <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/browse/java_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about enabling javascript">Javascript</a> enabled and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about downloading">Flash</a> installed. Visit <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/">BBC Webwise</a> for full instructions </div> Bunter and Emma from Islet: <div id="emp3" class="player"> In order to see this content you need to have both <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/browse/java_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about enabling javascript">Javascript</a> enabled and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about downloading">Flash</a> installed. Visit <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/">BBC Webwise</a> for full instructions </div> Alun from Y Niwl: <div id="emp4" class="player"> In order to see this content you need to have both <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/browse/java_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about enabling javascript">Javascript</a> enabled and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about downloading">Flash</a> installed. Visit <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/">BBC Webwise</a> for full instructions </div> Feel free to comment! If you want to have your say, on this or any other BBC blog, you will need to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/users/login">sign in</a> to your BBC iD account. If you don't have a BBC iD account, you can <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/register/">register here</a> - it'll allow you to contribute to a range of BBC sites and services using a single login. Need some assistance? <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/help/about">Read about BBC iD</a>, or get some <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/help/registering">help with registering</a>.]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/07/latitude-festival.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/07/latitude-festival.shtml</guid> <category>Artists</category> <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:25:01 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>JKLMNO interviewed at T in the Park</title> <description><![CDATA[One band in recent weeks have been giving me a bit of trouble. Not the people or the music, just the name. Try it: JKLMNO is not the easiest thing to say.Now LMNO, that's smoother, or XYZ, or LMNOP, QRS, or ABC, yes, there are blocks of the alphabet that run together neatly, but awkward as it is, JKLMNO are starting to grab our attention. Thanks to the team at BBC Shropshire, the Wrexham band this weekend travelled the length of the country to Kinross in Scotland to play the BBC Introducing stage. I caught up with Danny the guitarist via MySpace, to hear about the experience before playing out the highlights from the festival on BBC Introducing in Wales and England tonight. You can <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bethanelfyn/">listen to it here</a> for a limited time. How was last weekend? Talk me through the whole experience from the journey onwards? Well it was an early start on Friday to try and catch any bands on Friday night. We packed ourselves into two cars armed with hopefully enough music to last us. The car I was in predominantly had Mumford and Sons on, and Will Smith to liven us up in the boring times.The festival itself was an amazing experience. The Scottish people are so nice, even the campers were really nice to us. We spent most of Friday flyering and telling people to come and watch us on the Saturday! That was good, because we got talking to the people and every one was really nice. On Saturday we woke up really early to all get showered and warmed up for our set at 1:15. At 10 o'clock me and Carl were in the tent warming up our voices as much as we could! By the time we came on stage, the rain was pouring but there was still a fair crowd from the act on before us - Loud Hickey, who was amazing.People we met flyering made it, as well as some people from Wrexham who were at the festival! We all really enjoyed the experience of being on stage, was weird having cameras pointing at us recently, makes a change from playing at Central Station! For the rest of the festival, we got up the general festival antics and managed to meet Jamie T and Newton Faulkner who were nice people. Was an amazing festival and we all had an amazing time, met some amazing people as well! Who were your highlights in terms of other bands on the bill? For me, it was definitely Stereophonics, being a life long fan and never seeing them live. Especially when they played Same Size feet and dedicated it to Stuart Cable - it was a fantastic moment.We all saw Muse who blew us away with such an amazing show and extraordinary sound. Pierce (keyboards) told me his highlight was Mumford and Sons who I didn't get to see because I was watching Eminem who was also amazing. The last band we saw were Kasabian who were just perfect to end the festival, and we were jumping up and down hysterically and singing with the rest of the Scots! How did this all come about? BBC Shropshire wasn't it? Yes it was, we played a session for BBC Shropshire a couple of months ago for the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/shropshire/hi/people_and_places/music/newsid_8115000/8115468.stm">Friday Night Gerbil</a>. We got a good relationship with the DJs there and they forwarded our music and we got the gig. We will be forever in their debt for that, I imagine. What else has been going on for the band since recording last year? It's been difficult because Pierce and Carl have been finishing their degrees. I'm in my second year of my degree and the other two have been working so we rarely get together. We email each other demos so that when we get back in the practice room, we got an idea of what we want to do.We've written some new material which we played at T (Thistles and Thorns and Electric Hearts), and tightened up the rest of the set. We've been having some gigs in between in Wrexham for promoters who supported us from the beginning! We've done a few gigs in England but not a lot due to the band being in separate corners on the UK! Where do you hope to go from here? We're planning on going into a studio to do another new song and some reworked songs. We were considering doing it ourselves so we get the sound we want, so that may still happen. We want to keep as active as possible so people don't forget about us which is what seemed to happen after Benicassim. We're going to gig a lot and keep recording I would say. You also played Benicassim festival. How was that? It was completely different to T! First of all, the weather conditions were complete opposite. It was a fantastic experience but I don't think we had the right songs or sound back then, so we weren't prepared. We're very appreciative of Supajam for giving us the opportunity, though, and it was definitely a vital stepping stone in our career. What do you prefer as a band, small intimate gigs, big festival stages, or the studio experience? We treat them all the same. We did a warm up gig before T to try the new material, and I got same feeling from that as I did on stage at T. We'd obviously prefer to play as many people as possible. Crowds in Festivals seem to be a bit more 'up for it' though. Being in a studio is amazing though, we had a lot of fun working with Nino on transitions and very pleased with his work. If it was up to me, I'd be in the studio more but the funding issue holds us back. How would you describe your music? We got asked this while giving out flyers. I'd say alternative indie rock with a big sound!You can see videos of Danny Kehlenbeck and his pals Carl Harrison (vocals/guitars/keys), Daniel Pierce (synths/percussion), Knox (bass/vocals) and Nick Roberts (drums/programming) on the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/introducing/">BBC videos from T in the Park</a>. And you too could be playing a festival stage, just make sure you upload your music to the BBC Introducing Uploader, and you never know...]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/07/jklmno-interview-t-in-the-park.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/07/jklmno-interview-t-in-the-park.shtml</guid> <category>Artists</category> <pubDate>Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:38:19 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Sex, oysters and Steve Jones: it's only a session by John Mouse!</title> <description><![CDATA[This week on BBC Radio 1 we have a special Maida Vale Session from Cardiff artist John Mouse, who released a new album this year called Humber Dogger Forties on Crocfingers Records. The album and session features some special guests including his brother Steve Jones on one track and Prince Edward Island as a backing band. Listen out to this week's Introducing show for the session and interview with John and Steve, but here for Wales Music I interviewed John for more on the antics of the day at the BBC's legendary Maida Vale studios. <img alt="John Mouse" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/john-mouse-maida-vale_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Hi John. How was the day trip to Maida Vale on Friday? First of all it was amazing when we found out that we were going to record at Maida Vale. I have recorded at some great places in the past. The Session in Wales, as it was then, sent us to Loco, and Monnow Valley, and I also done some sessions at 6 Music, but this was something special. When we turned up I was full of nerves and excitement. Phil said to me over breakfast: "I am just waiting to be found out." That kind of summed it up for me; I didn't believe that we were there. Maybe that's just a lack of self confidence and belief that I get about my music. Just above our heads at breakfast there is a picture of The Beatles pushing trays along the same service area that we just picked our sausages, scrambled eggs, and beans from. At that point it really kicks in. We were also and hour and a half early, so we had plenty of time to kill. I had a look around and saw musicians from the BBC Symphonic Orchestra tuning up. And the toilet floors shined, so much so that when I looked down I could see the reflection of the other bloke in the cubicle next to me, who had taken a phone call at a "inconvenient time" as he politely put it. We banged out the four tracks in less than an hour and half. Once we got going it was great, that's what we were there to do. I think that everyone had that red light tension though. Your hands freeze up on the fret board when the voice from behind the glass booms "we are going for a take". We were exhausted at the end of the session, but celebrated with a Chinese in Camden Town. Happy days. Which songs did you record? The Last Great Rhondda Romance. I had set a challenge to Prince Edward Island, my backing band, to write a love song between two miners. They came up with "Like bouncers we stand" which will be on their album due for release this sept on the same label as John Mouse stuff. So the challenge was bounced back. Immediately a love duet with Steve came to mind, based on the height difference between the two of us. The rest of the lyrics wrote themselves in a couple of minutes. If I Were An Oyster I heard a riff on the radio, I think it was an Echo and the Bunnymen track, but I might be wrong. I tried to play a riff similar, but because I am crap on guitar I have no idea if it sounded like it. Then I had the hook line "If I were an oyster I'd clamp my shell on you." The rest again just sort of followed. I wanted to place a lot of the songs on the Humber Dogger Forties album. Giving them location. Langland Bay is mentioned in this one. Got You Shaking Your head (Like David Gray) I went to Phil in the studio and said, "I've got this line: 'She said, you've got the coolest friends". I got three chords like, Lou Reed, or Cornershop or something, and I wanted it to be an indie disco anthem, a bit Pulp-esque. Then he sent me a rough version. I tidied up some of the lyrics, he added the David Gray hook line and that was it. I think its my favourite track on the album. Probably because its more Prince Edward Island and less John Mouse. Sex With You This is a song about not being able to have sex with your partner because they are postpartum. I don't really say this, I just describe how that person is feeling. So it can come across a lot more sinister, and lot weirder than its actual meaning. If you really listen to the words, its quite detailed and personal, so the clue is there, as this person is not a stranger to the one he wants sex with. This has gone down a storm live though, people just here the lyrics "I want to have sex with you" and think its some desperado, I think. Maybe I'm not giving the audience enough credit here. Anyway, people can make what they want of it. It's not up to me once it's out there what people think, and that's a good thing. It makes the song bigger; it gives more life to my initial idea. I heard you had quite a line up of nine musicians at the session. Do tell me more about them. They are all in <a href="http://www.myspace.com/princeedwardislandband">Prince Edward Island</a>, who are one of my favourite bands, and it's amazing to have them play with me, live when they get a chance, and on this session. I have become really good friends with them all, and its always a pleasure to be in their company. Oh yeah, some bloke off the telly was there too - nice one bruv. <img alt="John Mouse, Prince Edward Island and Steve Jones" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/john-mouse-maida-vale_02_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> There's been quite a gap in your recording career, your blogs tail off in 2007 and yet you're back with full force this year. Did you get fed up of music, or gigging at least? No. We had a baby. What's your favourite subject matter for a song? Relationships. Not I love you, you love me, but human relationships. What other music inspires you? I don't listen to a lot of music. Writers inspire me more. So maybe bands with a focus on lyrics. I love Malcolm Middleton, Bill Callahan, and the Silver Jews, and pretty much listen to them all the time. I like a bit of Johnny Cash now and again too. The authors who inspire me are Vonnegut, Bukowski, Carver, Heller, Hamsun. I'm doing an MA in creative writing which really helped my songwriting. It gave it a lot more focus, and showed me what I could do. What'll be the next step for the promotion of the album? Any more gigs lined up? I have five gigs in the next three weeks. Two in the Rhondda and three in Cardiff. Red Cow, Treorchy, 9 July Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, 11 July Barfly supporting some bloke from Pineapple Dance Studios, 16 July Parc Hall, Cwmparc, 17 July Buffallo Bar, Cardiff, 21 July They are all acoustic shows though, as James from the band is getting married. But the acoustic shows are just as fun for me. I can sort of do what I want, without worrying that I will piss the band off. Then I'm having a break cause I am having another baby. So back around Swn time with a full band performance at the festival, to be confirmed. Then it's back to the drawing board for the next album, due in 2012. Tell me about Crocfingers, the label that's put the album out. <a href="http://www.crocfingers.co.uk/">Crocfingers</a> are a small label. They are small but they care, as Sean Hughes said in The Commitments. London-based. Prince Edward Island are also on the roster. <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bethanelfyn/">Listen here</a> for the full session and a performance video this week.]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/07/john-mouse-interview.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/07/john-mouse-interview.shtml</guid> <category>Interviews</category> <pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:13:25 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Paul McCartney, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff: 26 June 2010</title> <description><![CDATA[I haven't been to many concerts in the Millennium Stadium. In the past decade there's been R.E.M, Oasis and Foo Fighters, and the Manics' Millennium, so my experience of vast cavernous concerts are few and far between. But what I have learnt the hard way is that its an all day experience. It's not a trot to your local dark gigging dive, it's everything from lunching in the sun in Cardiff's town centre, avoiding the traffic, and home before midnight - in other words it's a wonderful grown up gigging experience! Each experience has been totally different, and each visit slightly less raucous too perhaps! With that in mind, I find myself trundling along, literally crossing the road from my house in Riverside with the throng of the 60s generation towards the bizarre experience of seeing Macca and two incredible Welsh bands in support. With my companion for the day, my mother-in-law, I set off early as I didn't want to miss anything. We arrived at our seats, pleasingly close to the stage, just in time for The Joy Formidable's set as the first support act. The band looked comfortable and ready for such a huge stadium. Despite sparse stage and no frills, they shone with their tight set, great songs, and Ritzy's warm welsh husky voice beaming with happiness at the occasion. <img alt="The Joy Formidable onstage at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/joy-formidable_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> The Joy Formidable onstage at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (photo: Ynyr Roberts) There was just time for a glass of chilled wine, which we didn't even have to move from our cosy seats for, and then <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/manic-street-preachers/">Manic Street Preachers</a> took to the stage. Again the set was sparse: some pale blue lights, and Nicky's standard feather boa microphone stand and Welsh flag speaker stack.<img alt="Manic Street Preachers onstage at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/manics-cardiff-100626.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Manic Street Preachers onstage at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (photo: Ben Norris) The Manics belted through their greatest hits with warm 'rough guide' explanations about each track, and the setlist included Your Love Alone, Motorcycle Emptiness, Design for Life, Suicide Is Painless, You Love Us, and Rock And Roll Music dedicated to <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/stuart-cable/">Stuart Cable</a>. It seemed slightly strange to see such a huge band, a band who've headlined this very venue, as the support act on this occasion, but I guess the 11th anniversary of the stadium and the sheer musical legend that is Paul McCartney managed to persuade them to take the short set. They looked like they have a beefier line up too, with extra men on guitar and keys. It's an interesting sign of things to come as they gear up for a new album in the autumn. <img alt="Paul McCartney: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff setlist, 26 June 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/paul-mccartney-cardiff-setlist-100626_cropped.jpg" align="right" width="250" height="350" hspace="10" />At 7.45pm Paul McCartney took to the stage with a bellowing "Shw mae?" before kicking into Venus And Mars, Rock Show and Jet. The 68-year-old played 40 years' worth of Beatles and Wings back catalogue for the next three hours, looking elated, comfortable and full of energy throughout. It was a crowd-pleasing set, and we we're on our feet singing along for the majority of the time. The lights and visuals were incredible and the pyrotechnics during Live And Let Die made us jump - the heat from the flames had quite a range! The nostalgic but witty anecdotes about Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison, John Lennon and Linda were charming, and Paul captured our attention with an incredible performance throughout. From grand piano to multi-coloured honky tonk upright, from mandolin to ukulele, bass guitar to acoustic, McCartney's musicianship is incredible and his voice pitch perfect for the entire set. The band were a funny bunch too, with their own quirks that sometimes draw your attention away from the main man. <img alt="Paul McCartney: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 26 June 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/paul-mccartney_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Sir Paul McCartney onstage at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (photo: Joe Goodden) Beatles favourites were scattered throughout, including Helter Skelter, All My Loving, Something and The Long And Winding Road, until the rabble rousing, lighters out, two-encore finale of Hey Jude, Sgt Pepper, Lady Madonna, and my all-time favourite Beatles track Get Back. <img alt="Paul McCartney: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 26 June 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/paul-mccartney_02_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Sir Paul McCartney onstage at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (photo: Joe Goodden) The polite audience filtered out quickly, and I was home within a few minutes reliving the experience to the rest of the family, a wonderful stadium musical experience... Now to book the Speedway! <img alt="Paul McCartney: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, 26 June 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/paul-mccartney_03_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /><div> </div> Sir Paul McCartney onstage at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff (photo: Joe Goodden)]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/paul-mccartney-millennium-stadium-cardiff.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/paul-mccartney-millennium-stadium-cardiff.shtml</guid> <category>Live</category> <pubDate>Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:25:01 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Sonar 2010: Saturday</title> <description><![CDATA[ Saturday at Sonar By Day As a lovely change of pace and sound <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/sonar-2010-friday.shtml">from Friday's mayhem</a>, Saturday at the 2010 Sonar Festival starts with Jimi Tenor and Kabu Kabu, and their large African sound. It's lively, colourful, and sadly is played to a Sonar in the rain - which, by the way, is greeted by cheers from the crowd.<img alt="Crowds at Sonar 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/sonar-2010_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" />It's worth noting that just before they took to the stage, a Spanish DJ, David M, played some amazing skanking tracks too. Down to the basement hall for Post War Years next, a band who played my showcase at Swn Festival last year, and following hotly on the heels of bands like Foals with their clever intricate play and swirling sounds. Highlight of the Day, was a total one off performance from <a href="http://2010.sonar.es/en/artistes/the-slew-featuring-kid-koala_215.html">The Slew</a>, a rock project from turntabalist Kid Koala. Kid Koala, has an infectious sense of fun in his performances and it would be well worth having a little look at this footage from the festival. It was their only European date - crazy!<img alt="The Slew" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/slew-kid-koala_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Saturday at Sonar By Night So it's another mad dash to go from Day to Night, and we get there in time for an hour and half performance from the legends Roxy Music. I was about to give up, thinking they'd forgotten about their hits, when the strains of Virginia Plain echoed out, and heralded a run of hits at the end of the show. Bit too much sax generally though!Next it was a relentless show from F Buttons, and a pure holiday cheese from Dizzee Rascal. Sadly I couldn't make it all the way to see the Chemical Brothers and their amazing new audio visual album concept which I've heard so much about - it was home time, and sleep time.Sonar 2010, will be vintage, another amazing rave in the sun for another year.]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/sonar-2010-saturday.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/sonar-2010-saturday.shtml</guid> <category>Festivals and events</category> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:26:45 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Sonar 2010: Friday</title> <description><![CDATA[So, hopefully by now we've established that Barcelona is my new favourite place, and it wouldn't take much for me to seriously move there. However, the petty crime and passive smoking are still pretty galling so for now Wales is still my happy home, with brief flirtations here disguised as holidays.<img alt="Barca market" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/barca-market_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> I'm back in Barca only a few week's after Primavera to taste the finest electronic music on the planet, with spectacular visual representations, the best DJs, producers and live acts at Sonar Festival 2010. Sonar starts on Thursday afternoon in the incredible surroundings of the Modern Art Gallery, the <a href="http://www.macba.es/">MACBA</a>. There are four stages, and plenty of ad hoc little performances, stalls, demos, and intriguing events all around. The first guy I watch is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/furvoice">Fur Voice</a>, an actor-turned-musician from Spain, with stunning custom made visuals, especially for the occasion. This is why Sonar works where many laptop/electronic gigs fail. The visual and sensory is vital to each show. On we go with the afternoon, watching Professor Green, Speech Debelle, Pete Tong, but the day's highlight was live band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cariboumanitoba">Caribou</a>, from Canada, who receive a rapturous response to the subtle building of their set, reaching elevation with the underground hit Odessa. It's a moment alright, and I've been addicted to listening to them since my return. The day ended with an incredible set from Broadcast. For some reason they were being heckled by a large majority of the crowd, maybe due to the 'difficult' start to the set, definitely turning away loads of the Sonar crowd, before settling into a beautiful groove, of sonic and visual atmospheric wonder.<img alt="Broadcast" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/broadcast_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Friday at Sonar By Day I arrive at the Village stage to catch BBC Introducing band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/nedrymakesmusic">Nedry</a> blow away a Sonar crowd. Their music encompasses all elements of dance from techno to dubstep, and singer Ayu sampling and messing with her vocals just adds so much to the performance. She's charming, and eye catching too which helps.<img alt="Nedry" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/nedry_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" />Nedry are one of the stand out performances from the whole festival, encompassing what Sonar is all about - new electronic music. Nedry are very exciting right now. Downstairs in the dark Sonar Hall, another UK act are making some new friends. King Midas Sound, is a dark, menacing, loud, dubstep mash up of influences, with poet and Japanese singer bringing all kinds of levels to the show.<img alt="King Midas Sound" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/king-midas-sound_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Sadly I miss my favourites Delorean, as I'm determined to fit in a siesta before the big night ahead. Friday at Sonar By Night We pile on the party bus from the bottom of La Rambla, Barcelona's main tourist trap, to the biggest warehouse type aircraft hangers, ready for the evening's rave up. Air are in full ethereal flow, all mellow beats, inane smiles, and lyrics that leave all the worries of the world behind. Their light show is spectacular, and is a great way to kick off Sonar By Night. Next we run next door to catch some of Mary Anne Hobbs' DJing on her own hosted stage, followed by Joy Orbison, whose set is sadly ruined by an incessant MC with nothing to say. Tonight's line up is so incredible I can't even go close to the furthest stage where one of my favourite bands, Hot Chip are taking to the stage because LCD Soundsystem are about to lay waste to all other shows. It's just the greatest show, the greatest band, the greatest frontman, the most incredible soulful songs, the best driving live rhythms, and the craziest crowd. I'm thrown about like a rag roll, but don't really notice, as I'm so transfixed by LCD tonight. From here I catch some fun from Sugarhill Gang, who end up talking so much, they loose half their set! The evening ends with 2Many DJs, the Soulwax brothers who have the best audio visual set up of the night. Each time they sample famous records, the sleeves themselves start dancing on screen. They are masters of the CDs, and simultaneously triggering the visuals - its amazing! With happy faces, and tired feet I head to bed at an ungodly hour!Read about <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/sonar-2010-saturday.shtml">Saturday at Sonar 2010</a>. ]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/sonar-2010-friday.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/sonar-2010-friday.shtml</guid> <category>Festivals and events</category> <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:07:23 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Review: How The Light Gets In festival, Hay on Wye</title> <description><![CDATA[ Cate Le Bon, Islet, and Man Without Country: Friday 4 June How The Light Gets In is a new philosophy and music festival in Hay on Wye scheduled during the world famous Hay Festival but very much its own event. I'd been invited to curate an evening called The Friday Night Shindig and to call up some of Wales' finest to come join me on the night.<img alt="How The Light Gets In festival" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/hay01.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> It's a balmy, sunny Friday afternoon as I'm sat amongst the yurts and grass mats, a relaxed courtyard of philosophy events, hearing random readings and generally enjoying the atmosphere. Hay itself is always a delight and a pleasure, and this lawn area outside the Globe is a mini festival delight. <a href="http://www.myspace.com/catelebon">Cate Le Bon</a> is on first, despite being the headliner, the scheduling more to do with the book/talk style ticketing than a music event.<img alt="Cate Le Bon" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/cate-le-bon_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" />Cate is the perfect opener, relaxed, funny, mesmerising, and her beautiful voice just echoing around the Globe Theatre's chamber of art and light. Behind her graphics of travelling scenes, and strange stoic human statues, add to this haunting vibe. Next we descend the narrow stairs at the back of the room to hear <a href="http://thisisislet.com/">Islet</a>, in the cellar. The band hail from the next village along, so there's a good home crowd for their performance. "We're down in the basement like trapped bears!" shouts Mark, one of Islets' many vocalists as he starts pogoing into the crowd, and gaining quite a momentum with a small crowd of enthusiastic fans at the front.Islet are the unexpected, and always play to this, smoothly running around the instruments in each song, and defying all categorisation, structure or convention. Tonight they are superb, and the cellar is such a perfect location for their brand of avant garde.<img alt="Islet" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/islet01.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Back up to the bright and church vibe of the Globe's main room, and newcomers <a href="http://www.myspace.com/manwithoutcountry">Man Without Country</a>, Wales' most recent success story, suddenly find themselves headlining, which is in itself a lot of pressure while their truck load of gear, and complex set up could cause a few nervous breakdowns before they've even started.<img alt="Man Without Country" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/man-without-country01.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" />But right on cue, they are winning over the crowd to their 'soon to be' anthems, and get us all in the mood for the disco to follow - oh, yes, right, that's my job.. back down the basement to what is now a fairly unpleasant sweat pit to get the party going, and going and going, until tired and sopping, dripping home, we wander through a sleepy Hay to find our beds for the night. For more info on the festival: <a href="http://www.howthelightgetsin.org/">www.howthelightgetsin.org</a>]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/how-the-light-gets-in-festival.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/how-the-light-gets-in-festival.shtml</guid> <category>Festivals and events</category> <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:26:08 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Stuart Cable: drummer, broadcaster and larger than life personality</title> <description><![CDATA[When I last saw Stuart Cable, I was a guest on his Saturday night rock show on Radio Wales. I was telling him about the latest wave of rock from south Wales, and he was enthused and excited about this rock legacy that he was very much part of. The tables were briefly turned as Stuart was interviewing me for a change. I'd interviewed him many many times as part of the Stereophonics line up. They were among the first session guests on the Session in Wales at its inception back in '99 on Radio One. <img alt="Stuart Cable, Bethan Elfyn and Huw Stephens" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/stuart-cable_09_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" /> Stuart as part of the band line up was an incredible ambassador for the Stereophonics. Whereas Richard was shy, and Kelly sometimes aloof, Stuart always had a wicked sense of humour, and time for everyone he'd meet. He was also a powerhouse of a drummer. Back to the the rock show that night a couple of weeks ago, and Stuart was as always warm, loud, charismatic, and above all relaxed. We laughed at his new trendy hair do - he was looking well cool to be fair, and enjoying being on tour with his band Killing For Company, supporting The Alarm. Some of this magnetic personality is notoriously down to one of Stuart's finest talents; not since Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins or Tom Jones, has the wonderful deep tones of the Welsh voice been so powerful. His voice and personality opened doors for him long after leaving the Stereophonics, and I worked alongside Stuart with his first outing on TV, hosting his own chat show Cable TV. His warm relationship with the audience, and popularity with people of all ages went well beyond any musicians' aura. He was a welsh star, and man of the people through and through. The news today of his death is sad, and we'll miss a great musician and broadcaster here in Wales. Stuart Cable, RIP.]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/stuart-cable-tribute-bethan-elfyn.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/stuart-cable-tribute-bethan-elfyn.shtml</guid> <category>Artists</category> <pubDate>Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:02:20 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Primavera Sound festival 2010</title> <description><![CDATA[Concrete and steel constructs frame the blue sea and bright skies like modern art sculptures. Welcome to Spain's festival by the sea, Primavera Sound. A festival in Barcelona, a sister festival to the UK's All Tomorrows Parties. Having travelled to Barcelona last year for Sonic Youth and Neil Young, it was pretty essential that a festival bill including Pixies, Pavement, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, The xx and Coco Rosie would be on my year's itinery. It was Primavera 2010, here we come!<img alt="Primavera 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/primavera_02_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" /> Thursday Night: <a href="http://www.myspace.com/surferblood">Surfer Blood</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/titusandronicus">Titus Andronicus</a>, and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/smithwesterns">The Smith Westerns</a> were the first few bands I saw on the Pitchfork stage, a perfect billing of the new sounds of USA indie rock, very much the sound of the year so far. It was a good mellow start to the weekend, followed by the vocal pitch surfing and amazing songs of <a href="http://www.myspace.com/wildbeasts">Wild Beasts</a>. Over on the big stage nestled quietly with the sea behind it <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thexx">The xx</a> put on a magical display of sparse songs, drenched in echoing effects, reverb and simple clean girl/boy vocals. Their light show was magnificent dramatic, dark and brooding and really stole the evening for me. Friday Night: Early evening started with some summery indie pop on the Pitchfork stage A <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sunnydayinglasgow">Sunny Day in Glasgow</a> swiftly followed by the retro surfesque duo <a href="http://www.myspace.com/bestycoasty">Best Coast</a>, and West Coast slackers <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ganglian">Ganglians</a> (below). Over on a larger stage <a href="http://www.myspace.com/cocorosie">Coco Rosie</a> were putting on a rather surprising display of theatrics, operatics, quirky instruments, and joyus strangeness.<img alt="Ganglians" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/ganglians_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" />At eleven in the evening its time for a pick me up with <a href="http://www.myspace.com/japandroids">Japandroids</a> who are a ball of furious noise and crazy antics musical gymnastics with just two in their army! Pixies on the main stage gave way to <a href="http://www.myspace.com/yeasayer">Yeasayer</a>'s world fusion prog dance fun, and the night became morning with a live scary pummelling set from dance band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thebloodybeetroots">The Bloody Beetroots</a>. Saturday: At tea time I'm watching the warm sounds of Real Estate, who I reckon are just going to charm at every festival from here on in. Then it's a quick bite of a falafel wrap to some retro garage rock from <a href="http://www.myspace.com/theclean">The Clean</a>, followed by a surprise appearance from cult singer songwriter and comic book illustrator Jeffrey Lewis under the guise of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/mt-static/html/www.myspace.com/kimyadawson">The Bundles</a> (below). I catch a little of an excellent and rawkus set from Spain's own <a href="http://www.myspace.com/mujeresdebarcelona">Mujeres</a>. Then its back to the main stage for an ebullient and celebratory performance from Florence And The Machine.<img alt="The Bundles" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/the-bundles_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" />A little jogging around meant that I caught some of The Antlers, Grizzly Bear, The Drums (below), but eventually settled for a nostalgia playing of Some Friendly by the Charlatans. Pet Shop Boys were big, pop, colourful and fun but I snuck out to catch a moment from legend Lee Scratch Perry and ended the night with a taste of Health but a dance with the excellent Orbital.<img alt="The Drums" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/drums_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" /> Sunday: Joan Mir贸 park in University heartland of Barcelona. Sunday afternoon was an unexpected surprise and treat, a free post-festival event which opened with Spanish band Mc Enroe. However, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/thekingkhanbbqshow">The King Khan & The BBQ Show</a>, a riot of rock and roll attitude, stupid stage get up, a tirade of abuse on the poor sound guy, and frequent visits from King Khan himself into the audience took the quiet park by surprise. Generic, stupid, fun and 'crazy' but ultimately totally engaging and enthralling all the same and the lively Spanish crowd lap it up.<img alt="King Khan And The BBQ Show" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/king-khan-bbq_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" /> Next up on the small open platform are Real Estate whose beautiful guitar sounds and longing and lovely sunshine drenched songs are a perfect afternoon park experience.<img alt="Real Estate" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/real-estate_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" />They were followed by Smith & Westerns and the Dum Dum girls on a stage surrounded thickly on all sides by the crowd, to the point where you could hardly hear them. And so a little gathering in a clearing of palm trees becomes a perfect end to the weekend in Barcelona.<img alt="Primavera 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/primavera_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" height="251" width="446" /><div> </div>]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/primavera-sound-festival-2010.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/06/primavera-sound-festival-2010.shtml</guid> <category>Festivals and events</category> <pubDate>Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:30:54 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Radio One's Big Weekend fringe cuts: The Joy Formidable</title> <description><![CDATA[It's halfway through the fringe week and last night was very special as Huw Stephens and myself joined forces to present the new music build up show for the Big Weekend and highlights from the fringe. We were also joined by Joy Formidable for a fantastic acoustic session. You can listen back to the show <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/huwstephens/">on Huw's pages</a>, with lots of interviews and so forth from the Fringe, but I caught up with Joy Formidable outside the BBC's Bangor offices for a quick chat for Wales Music. Please excuse the shaky camera work! <script type="text/javascript"> gloader.load(["glow", "1"], { async: true, onLoad: function (glow) { glow.ready(function () { var emp = new embeddedMedia.Player(); emp.setWidth("512"); emp.setHeight("288"); emp.setDomId("emp1"); emp.setPlaylist("http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/media/flv/blog_bethan_joy_formidable_01.xml"); emp.write(); }); } }); </script> <div id="emp1" class="player"> In order to see this content you need to have both <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/browse/java_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about enabling javascript">Javascript</a> enabled and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about downloading">Flash</a> installed. Visit <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/">BBC Webwise</a> for full instructions </div>]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/radio-one-big-weekend-fringe-joy-formidable.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/radio-one-big-weekend-fringe-joy-formidable.shtml</guid> <category>Interviews</category> <pubDate>Thu, 20 May 2010 15:45:02 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Radio One's Big Weekend fringe cuts: Leucine and Bastions</title> <description><![CDATA[Colwyn Bay's Speakers Corner was the unlikely venue for last night's hardcore gig with Leucine, Bastions, Kixxstart Kitty and Die Chihuahua Die. The Big Weekend fringe is gathering momentum and a bright afternoon of sunshine lingered on into evening of pastel coloured walls, pink plastic chairs and the most death curdling of screams.]]><![CDATA[Here are some more video blogs with two of the night's bands to tell us a bit more about growing up in north Wales, and what a night like this means to the band. Here's Leucine... <script type="text/javascript"> gloader.load(["glow", "1"], { async: true, onLoad: function (glow) { glow.ready(function () { var emp = new embeddedMedia.Player(); emp.setWidth("512"); emp.setHeight("288"); emp.setDomId("emp1"); emp.setPlaylist("http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/media/flv/blog_bethan_leucine_01.xml"); emp.write(); }); glow.ready(function () { var emp = new embeddedMedia.Player(); emp.setWidth("512"); emp.setHeight("288"); emp.setDomId("emp2"); emp.setPlaylist("http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/media/flv/blog_bethan_bastions_01.xml"); emp.write(); }); } }); </script> <div id="emp1" class="player"> In order to see this content you need to have both <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/browse/java_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about enabling javascript">Javascript</a> enabled and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about downloading">Flash</a> installed. Visit <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/">BBC Webwise</a> for full instructions </div> ...and Bastions. <div id="emp2" class="player"> In order to see this content you need to have both <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/browse/java_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about enabling javascript">Javascript</a> enabled and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about downloading">Flash</a> installed. Visit <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/">BBC Webwise</a> for full instructions </div> Tonight, Caernarfon. More updates throughout the week!]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/radio-one-big-weekend-fringe-leucine-bastions.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/radio-one-big-weekend-fringe-leucine-bastions.shtml</guid> <category>Festivals and events</category> <pubDate>Wed, 19 May 2010 13:26:56 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Radio One's Big Weekend fringe cuts: Trader</title> <description><![CDATA["Hello Wrexham!" Ah, I'm imagining myself back on the stage already. What a fantastic first night of the Fringe rock 'n roll tour of north Wales, as 350 people queue and cram into Wrexham's Central Station to celebrate the best of the new local talent in the area, a line up of No Room For Heroes, Trader, Polly Mackey and Gallops.]]><![CDATA[My full review is up on the <a href="/blogs/introducing/2010/05/yr_wythnos_fach_the_fringe_wee.shtml">BBC Introducing blog</a>, and Adam Walton's <a href="/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/y-wythnos-fach-gallops-polly-mackey.shtml">review of the night is here</a>. You can also <a href="/radio1/nickgrimshaw">listen back to Nick Grimshaw's show</a> on BBC Radio One on Monday night to hear my post-gig review and garbled message from a smelly alley at the back of Central Station. While I was in Wrexham I also caught up with Trader for an exclusive Wales Music blog video, to tell us all about the band and their hometown. <script type="text/javascript"> gloader.load(["glow", "1"], { async: true, onLoad: function (glow) { glow.ready(function () { var emp = new embeddedMedia.Player(); emp.setWidth("512"); emp.setHeight("288"); emp.setDomId("emp1"); emp.setPlaylist("http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/media/flv/blog_bethan_trader_01.xml"); emp.write(); }); } }); </script> <div id="emp1" class="player"> In order to see this content you need to have both <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/browse/java_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about enabling javascript">Javascript</a> enabled and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/askbruce/articles/download/howdoidownloadflashplayer_1.shtml" title="BBC Webwise article about downloading">Flash</a> installed. Visit <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/">BBC Webwise</a> for full instructions </div> Check back daily for updates from the best of all music activity in north Wales this week.]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/radio-one-big-weekend-fringe-trader.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/radio-one-big-weekend-fringe-trader.shtml</guid> <category>Festivals and events</category> <pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 17:03:01 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Hi De Hi Campers! ATP Festival review, curated by Pavement</title> <description><![CDATA[The last time I went to All Tomorrow's Parties, I nearly froze. There were gale force winter winds and the rattling prefab walls were no match. In many ways it was the nightmare before Christmas. Recently migrated to just across the pond from the cliffs of The Vale, the location in Minehead, Somerset near to north Devon is already pretty pleasing, and the chalet looks rather more robust.]]><![CDATA[<img alt="ATP pavilion, 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/atp_2010_pavilion_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" />There was no time to stand on ceremony as two of the best new bands that I've been trying to see for ages kicked off the weekend. Avi Buffalo's lush sounds were emanating around the upstairs stage, which rather resembles a large lounge on a cruise ship. It's strangely comfortable. They were swiftly followed by Surfer Blood, who played on the cavernous stage in the main Pavilion building, and seemed rather shocked by it. They are young, very young, preppy, jaunty, and it felt like a couple of the Vampire Weekend gigs I saw on their first visits over to the UK. The rest of the evenings highlights included Wildbirds & Peacedrums (pictured) performing with a Swedish choir, a very spooky experience, the sonorous trumpet call of Calexico, and the swirling stoner rock of Wooden Shjips.<img alt="Wildbirds & Peacedrums" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/atp_2010_wildbirds_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> On Saturday I made the most of the visit to Devon with a trip along the coast to sample pasties, clotted cream ice cream, and Lynmouth's incredible water-powered funicular railway. I was back in time but had no patience for Fiery Furnaces, despite the big band line up, and had a fabulously long nap just before heading in for the big two-hour Pavement show. It was absolutely breath-taking, the power these 20 year old songs still have. The show was comfortable, funny, energetic, and Stephen Malkmus' voice was in fine form.<img alt="Pavement at ATP, 2010" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/atp_2010_pavement_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> Halfway through I suddenly remembered seeing them play a small Reading Festival warm up gig in Clwb Ifor Bach, back in the early 90s, and I've been trying to recollect more about this show too... Do help if you can. In elation my ATP ended there really. Pavement were perhaps better at playing than curating a line up, but it was a great old fashioned British Butlins weekend all the same! Feel free to comment! If you want to have your say, on this or any other BBC blog, you will need to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/users/login">sign in</a> to your BBC iD account. If you don't have a BBC iD account, you can <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/register/">register here</a> - it'll allow you to contribute to a range of BBC sites and services using a single login. Need some assistance? <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/help/about">Read about BBC iD</a>, or get some <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/help/registering">help with registering</a>.]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/all-tomorrows-parties-pavement-2010.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/all-tomorrows-parties-pavement-2010.shtml</guid> <category>Festivals and events</category> <pubDate>Tue, 18 May 2010 12:13:06 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Interview: Kutosis</title> <description><![CDATA[Another new release on the cards for June is a new EP from Cardiff three piece Kutosis, We Are The Animal, You Are The City. The band have gone the extra mile with this release, as not only is it a limited edition CD featuring a poster pullout of fan submitted artwork, but it's accompanied by a video for Small Cities, produced by Strand Films. <img alt="kutosis_446.jpg" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/kutosis_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" /> It's good to see bands trying to think outside the box a little when It comes to putting their music out there - in this current climate it's pretty essential to make the music stand out whichever way possible. Last year Kutosis played the Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds festival nominated on behalf of Introducing In Wales and it's good to se them go from strength to strength with the new recordings. I caught up with Ian, James and Ben to see what's going on with them in the build up to the new release.]]><![CDATA[Who are Kutosis? Ian Jones on guitar and vocals, James Deacon on guitar, bass and vocals and Ben Isaacs on drums and vocals. What's the band potted history? After a few line up changes, we settled on the current one in 2007. From our first demos we played a string of high profile shows supporting Babyshambles and the Eighties Matchbox B-line Disaster. REPEAT records approached us and released our first single and a track was also included on the compilation This Town Ain't Big Enough For The 22 Of Us alongside other Cardiff bands such as Los Campesinos!. We self released a further two records, the yoyoyoyoyoyoyo EP and Barbie Hips single, which both subsequently sold out. Then in 2009 we recorded a live session for BBC Introducing In Wales and later in the year we were invited to play on the BBC Introducing stage at the Reading and Leeds festivals. At the start of 2010 we recorded the current EP We Are The Animal, You Are The City and are currently writing and demoing songs for a full length album to be released later in the year. What are your musical influences? There are so many influences but recently the main ones have been bands such as Health, Liars, Les Savy Fav and Future Of The Left. What have been the band's highlights so far? Obviously playing at the Reading and Leeds festivals was an amazing experience. We had a really good time on the Friday night and the turnout was better than we could have expected. The crowd seemed to still be pretty fresh faced and up for it at that point. We had a few problems getting to the Leeds site the next day though when we had a flat tire on the motorway. It took one hour, three band members, four crew and a prolonged call to the car dealers to change the spare tyre at a service station! One of our other highlights was when we organised a low key Reading and Leeds festival warm-up gig in our old practice space in Cardiff. We sent out texts and Facebook messages asking people to meet in the Royal Oak pub. To be honest I don't think the pub knew what hit them when everyone turned up on what would otherwise have been a quiet Saturday evening. Everyone then headed to our practice room for what was most probably the sweatiest gig we've played, violating all health and safety regulations. Tell me about your We Are The Animal... EP. It will be released on 21 June on Twisted By Design. It will be a strictly limited run of CDs which will include fan-submitted art work, and will also be available via the usual digital outlets. Musically the tracks on this EP are a bridge between what was on the yoyoyoyoyoyoyo EP and the new material for our album. You've also gone with Cardiff's Twisted By Design to release it, what made you go for that decision, are you big fans of the Twisted club night? The compilation of 22 Cardiff bands that Twisted By Design previously put out was pretty good at getting exposure for local acts, some of which have gone onto do really well, such as Los Campesinos!. We know Gary who runs Twisted and he was looking to put out a new release and we had just recorded the EP, so it all seemed to come together. The nights have been a Cardiff staple for years and a lot of the local scene have probably got to know one another from going to the Twisted By Design nights, so it's been really important in that respect. Who made the video for the single, Small Cities? The video was made by a friend of ours who goes under the name of Strand Films. She recently moved to Cardiff from Swansea so you may well be seeing some more videos in the near future. Video link - <a href="http://vimeo.com/9894278">www.vimeo.com/9894278</a> Kutosis on Myspace:<a href="http://%20www.myspace.com/kutosis"> www.myspace.com/kutosis</a> ]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/interview-kutosis.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/interview-kutosis.shtml</guid> <category>Artists</category> <pubDate>Thu, 13 May 2010 08:14:12 +0000</pubDate> </item> <item> <title>Interview: Exit_International</title> <description><![CDATA[I've had a few lively discussions with a familiar face on the South Wales rock circuit at a few gigs recently, Scott Lee Andrews. Scott's name kept cropping up in my recent research into south Wales rock and rightly so: he has been a vital part of the scene since the forming and relentless gigging of his former band Midasuno, so it's good to see him back with a vengeance with his new band <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/exit-international/">Exit_International</a>. <img alt="exit-international_01_446.jpg" src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/exit-international_01_446.jpg" class="mt-image-center" style="margin: 0pt auto 20px; text-align: center; display: block;" width="446" height="251" />]]><![CDATA[Exit_International are very much one of the hotly-tipped new bands from the area at the moment, with management support on board from south Wales promoter Greg Barton, who gig goers in Cardiff will be more than familiar with. However, the band probably don't quite fulfil our normal expectations from a rock outfit what with two bass players for starters, but the press have been exited enough regardless. Check out these reviews... "....Two bass guitars which duel each other for supremacy using a deadly arsenal of fuzz boxes. I'd hazard a guess that the band's hobbies include audio terrorism, and eh...well, that's probably it - but they're definitely worth seeing!" Artrocker Magazine Oct 2009 (Issue 94) 'It's plain to see by the hoard of snappers hovering around the tiny stage that there's already a buzz surrounding them....The three piece smash out tunes into oblivion with rip-roaring ferocity' (8/10) Rock Sound Oct 2009 "....Duel attack basses and feral bubblegum rock. Like Girls Against Boys gone evil. And winning." Swn Festival 2009 Programme. With a new EP in the pipeline, and loads of gigs on the way, I thought I'd catch a quick word with Scott to get the low down on the band's story so far. Who exactly forms the outfit that is Exit_International? Exit_International are Fudge Wilson (bass/vox), Adam Thomas (drums) and Scott Lee Andrews (vox/bass). What's the band's potted history? How long have you been together? Myself and Fudge formed the band in late 2008, with original drummer Richey of Stray Borders fame, to open for the Melvins at the Cardiff Barfly - but we ended up being pulled from the bill at the last minute. So we carried on with what was a 'project' band and turned in into something focused. After Richey changed jobs and his ability to commit was stunted by his long shift patterns, we brought in Adam and the sound of the band became more in-line with what we are today. The whole dynamic shifted into something tighter and sharper. What are your musical influences? Anything loud and sexy really. Everything from The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, The Jesus Lizard, Girls Against Boys, Guitar Wolf, The Birthday Party, Nirvana, Evil Superstars, The Melvins, Big Black, (Early) Placebo, The Pixies, Blood Brothers, Gay For Johnny Depp... Is this your first release? Tell me about the label releasing it? This is our first release, which we original intended to be a demo. We went down to Newport to record with Carl Bevan, having heard the Science Bastard material, and guessed he'd have a good crack at nailing our sound. We recorded everything in five hours and that was that. When we started sending the 'demo' out, Darren Sadler of Undergroove Records, who has been a mate of mine for years - stepped up and thought it was good enough to release! Undergroove have released records by the likes of The Ghost Of A Thousand, Hexes, Minus The Bear. Even though we may seem slightly 'lighter' than these bands, I think Darren sees something inherently powerful in what we do! I hear you've created a bit of a stir with the pre-orders. What were you promising to send people with their music? When we got our CDs back - which ended up being to late for our tour with Blitz Kids - we decided to shop it online ourselves and the orders started coming in from the get-go. I started picking up various bits and pieces hanging around at the time as I was packing them up - so lighters, my hospital ID tags, candles, pants and other weird relics ended up being shipped to LA, Tokyo, etc. Customs are going to have a field day. What have been some gigging highlights so far? Our first London show for Artrocker Magazine was amazing - when we play London now we have a strong, loyal following up there. Locally we have played with some amazing bands - The 80s Matchbox B-Line Disaster, The Computers, Crime in Stereo, Baddies and The King Blues and were amazed to be asked to perform at last years Swn fest - that was a honour. The Blitz Kids tour was a blast - what a awesome bunch of lads and will be going places very soon. Our recent support slot with The Bronx was amazing - we seemingly went down really well and got to share a stage with the wonderful Pulled Apart By Horses who just happen to be one of our favourite bands. With your previous band, Midasuno, you influenced a lot of the current crop of new welsh rock. Is that a frustrating fact or a source of pride? I think it's a great testament to what we were, and if that lives on in the spirit of new bands thats a great thing - although I must say - we were never a truly 'safe' band in every aspect, so it would be nice to see a few more hellraisers born as a result. I think also that the fact Midasuno has produced three strong bands - Matt and Gav now have <a href="http://www.myspace.com/allthedamnvampiresband">All The Damn Vampires</a> and Chris fronts <a href="http://www.myspace.com/listentoaccidentmusic">Accident Music</a> who also feature Mike (ex-Lostprophets) and Darren (ex-Funeral For A Friend) - it shows Midasuno had a strong musical DNA across the board. What'll be the plans over the summer? We will be gigging in support of the street release of the 'Sex W/Strangers EP and hoping to grab onto a few choice festival slots. Also, we are waiting on a few slots as support on some tasty tours. We will then hit the studio with Mr Bevan to finish our debut LP, which will be out before the end of the year. <a href="http://www.exitinternational.co.uk/">exitinternational.co.uk</a> <a href="http://www.myspace.com/exitinternationalmusic">myspace.com/exitinternationalmusic</a> Feel free to comment! If you want to have your say, on this or any other BBC blog, you will need to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/users/login">sign in</a> to your BBC iD account. If you don't have a BBC iD account, you can <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/register/">register here</a> - it'll allow you to contribute to a range of BBC sites and services using a single login. Need some assistance? <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/help/about">Read about BBC iD</a>, or get some <a href="https://id.bbc.co.uk/users/help/registering">help with registering</a>.]]></description> <dc:creator>Bethan Elfyn Bethan Elfyn </dc:creator> <link>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/interview-exit-international.shtml</link> <guid>http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/walesmusic/2010/05/interview-exit-international.shtml</guid> <category>Artists</category> <pubDate>Tue, 11 May 2010 17:26:45 +0000</pubDate> </item> </channel> </rss>