Cardiff Big Weekend Gig

Cardiff’s Big Weekend has been a major event for several years but while I have nil interest in the vast over-priced fairground that appears around Cardiff City Hall, the free mini music festival is always worth a look.

Friday night is local group night but I was already committed to a work social night so missed Los Camesinos and The Blackout (not that I had real desire to see them), Saturday was World Day and headlined by the reggae cheese of Chaka Demus and Pliers but yesterday’s bill came to a crescendo with ATHLETE and FEEDER, two groups I like musically and love live.

The Council may ban alcohol being permitted on site (you can buy plenty inside at £3.50 a pint) but they still permit hoardes of local chavs, p*ssheads and kids who can only text speak and abuse. However found a good spot and enjoyed.

Athlete were outstanding running through what was essentially a Greatest Hits style set. How they’ve never been as big as the likes of Snow Patrol, Coldplay and co, I’ll just never know as I find them far better. Musically they were tight and superb and highly appreciated by the crowd.

Feeder are regarded as a Welsh band led by Newport’s Grant Nicholas so the crowd built up for their set and was seriously packed as they arrived on-stage. I’ve never seen it so busy there. They came on late with problems and the sound was never right for them all night, not that too many cared. Their set was a mix of hits, tracks from their rock roots return Renegades and a couple of fan faves.

Both were superb but Athlete shone brightest as far as I was concerned.

Enjoy these pics and videos

ATHLETE PLAYING WESTSIDE

ATHLETE Black Swan song documentary

Thoroughly enjoyed this doc of Athlete lead singer Joel and his father retracing the steps of their family who played key roles in World War 2 at Arnhem and insipred Athlete's latest single.

Very emotive ... all the more so watching it on Armistice Day.



Athlete on MUZU.

Video of the Week - ATHLETE, Black Swan Song

I'm very partial to Athlete - even if it's my favourite genre - and this is their new single Black Swan Song, a tribute to lead singer Joel's grandfather who died in World War 2.


Athlete on MUZU.

Video of the Week - ATHLETE, Super Human Touch

Video of the Week has taken a back seat recently and it's back with this excellent pop single for indie songsmiths Athlete, the lead track from their forthcoming album Black Swan.

I've always enjoyed Athlete's music and probably delight in them being a massively under-rated although acknowledged group but their music is way ahead of similar artists who have enjoyed far more major success.


Athlete TV on MUZU.

Video of the Week - ATHLETE, Westside

Athlete can be a love them, hate them or ignore them group.

I loved them from the outset, just their quirkiness and although they have some shoegazing tunnes, they have some belting songs in their armoury and never fail to impress me live, the sort of group you just smile at and can throughly enjoy.

The last album, Beyond The Neighbourhood, could have propelled them into the stadium environs but went the other way which was a shame although it wasn't my favourite.

The boys are back with a new album out in a couple of months and a major UK Tour visiting just about everywhere including Cardiff Uni of Friday June 19th - I will certainly be there!

Here's one of those early stand-out tunes, Westside and for a bonus, check out Half Light live at 2005 T in the Park, Scotland.