Mumakil with Italian death metal granddaddies Natron come pay a visit. Local support TBA. Open Mic hosted by The JimJam Band @ The Traders Tavern, 7:00pm, FREE * Strange as it may sound, James Blunt started at and open mic night. Find the next James Blunt – and bludgeon him. Orchard Present: Kyla La Grange @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £8 * Tilly and the Wall inspired indie-folk, think a more polished Emmy the Great with a darker edge. Honey Fungus @ The Live Lounge, 7:30pm, FREE * Lovely covers and sing-along classics from veterans of ‘the lounge’. Swn present: Dry The River @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:30pm, SOLD OUT * Is it just me, or did this band seemingly come out of nowhere and are now everywhere? Catch them now before they crawl back to Lana Del Ray land. Heavy Petting Zoo / Thousand Fingers @ Undertone, 8:00pm, £4 * Fantastically named witty, soulful, indie rock from Anglo / Welsh hybrids. Open Mic with Anthony Lee Wickham @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * A charmingly disturbed host welcomes you to sing, sing, at the tops of your lungs. Open Mic with Tom Lukas @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * Get out of the garage and make your way to the stage, your first move to superstardom. Andrew Hopkins @ Cafe Jazz, 8:30pm, FREE * With Welsh roots and a passion for the piano, Andrew Hopkins performs jazz improvisations of the musicals, both favourite and unknown. Unwind with a drink and try to guess the show as he gives an effortless demonstration of dynamic improvisation and musicianship.
GIGS OF THE MONTH
Dry The River @ Clwb Ifor Bach
18 APRIL
Another band heralded as the magical key to unlock 2012, and their impact thus far has been impressive. Folky motifs in a much rockier, punkier landscape than you’d expect with many songwriting twists and turns. Folk in the Owl Nest @ Gwdihw, 8:30pm, £2 * After a great launch night last month, Folk In The Owls Nest are back to fill you up with the best folk they can find. Keep an ear to the ground. Open Mic @ Nos Da, 8:30pm, FREE * The lights are low and the floor is open to both budding and experienced acts, a free drink for every performer. Jazz at Dempsey’s @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5 * Jazz, once synonymous with rebellion and innovation,
now cold like Boxing Day Turkey. It doesn’t have to be like this you know, and Goddamn these kind curators are doing their bit. Live Wire @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE * Anthemic tunes and energetic rock. Hug your mates and fist-pump the air *like you just don’t care*. April 19, 2012 Live Soul night with Captain Hawkins @ Rockin’ Chair, 12:00am, FREE * Soulful piano and accordion from the enigma that is Captain Hawkins.
GIGS OF THE MONTH
Chris T-T @ Gwdihw
19 APRIL
Chris T-T brings with him considerable critical acclaim, over eight outstanding albums and a reputation finer than most could dream. An alternative, anti-folk hero playing in one of the city’s finest, most fittingly intimate spaces for the purpose. Perfect. Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE * Relaxed acoustica from a velvet tongued troubadour. Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE * Morley’s regular and reliable slot, filled with wood and string, resonance and popular song, delectable. Jose Zalba-Smith & Leanne Singh-Levett Duo @ Wales Millennium Centre, 1:15pm, FREE * A piano and flute duo performing gravity defying contemporary classical song. Ian Michael Thomas @ Wales Millennium Centre, 6:15pm, FREE * Performing hits from the west end and Broadway, brought to you by Make It Yours Festival. Fine Line Music present: We Are The Afterglow / Bite The Buffalo / Under The Driftwood Tree @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £TBA * An eclectic line-up of Bluesy rock ‘n’ roll and Sun drenched beach-folk, some of our Capital’s finest bands. The Spokes @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE * Popular song, taken and performed, they don’t do requests… but there is no harm in asking. Twin Atlantic @ Solus, 7:00pm, £13 * Glaswegians on the cusp of Warped tour 2012, grace us with their presence. Honey Fungus @ The Live Lounge, 7:30pm, FREE * Lovely covers and sing-along classics from veterans of ‘the lounge’. Sinfonia Cymru in Concert @ RWCMD, 7:30pm, £TBA * The delicious delights of Sinfonia Cymru are a rare treat indeed, come and experience the nations best. No Sweat present: Them Lovely Boys / Adam Jenkins / Guests @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE * Them lovely boys, are not all boys, but they are all lovely,
lovely, upbeat, accordion wielding folk. Open Mic Night presented by: Box Fort @ Owain Glyndwr, 8:00pm, FREE * A fun and good natured open mic, a must for any would-be performers. Typical Stereo present: Chris T-T @ Gwdihw, 8:00pm, £5 * Playing tracks from his forthcoming concept EP The Taking Of Clarkson’s Lighthouse, brilliantly scripted anti-folk. Nick Knock by CF5 @ Koko Gorilaz, 8:30pm, FREE * Popular jam night featuring a house band with a full backline setup. Selected and guest musicians are invited to get up and mix up various styles. The Filthy Six @ Cafe Jazz, 8:30pm, £7 / £5 conc * The Filthy Six take their intoxicating blend of Soul Jazz, Funk and Boogaloo out on the road in April, showcasing their second release for Acid Jazz Records. A rare chance to catch this exciting band outside of London. Jazz at Dempsey’s @ Dempsey’s, 9:00pm, £5 * After yesterday’s festivities, Jazz is back and with more twists and turns. Listen out for a variety of performers spanning cool to free. On the Rocks featuring: Clock Opera @ 10 Feet Tall, 9:00pm, £8 / £6.50 adv * Moshi Moshi signed, inventive avant pop, with a contemporary and imaginative take on modern day indie, influences range from The Teardrop Explodes to Yo La Tengo. Jammie @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE * Jammie and his cronies, hit the City with verve and vigor, covers and liquor. Friday 20 April Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE * In his regular slot, Morley delights the locals over lunch. The Little @ The Live Lounge, 4:30pm, FREE * Folky tones over lateafternoon, your antidote to the working week. KYMO @ Peppermint, 6:00pm, FREE * Be transported to the summer fields with lovely sun-drenched folk from local Cardiffians. Be Bop Da Jig @ Wales Millennium Centre, 6:15pm, FREE * Guess the genre… go on, thats right – MMP’s favourite Jazz subgenre Be Bop performed as it should; thoughtlessly frantic. Backtrack (USA) / Broken Teeth / Chains of Hate / The River Card @ The Moon Club, 7:00pm, £7 * Cult hardcore from New York. Presented by the glorious GRAB Promotions. Example @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:00pm, £23.50 * Example grew up as an aspiring rapper, criticising celebrity culture and white people who think they can rap. Ahem. Holy Coves / The Vestals / Seconds To Ruin @ Buffalo Bar, 7:00pm, £4 * Shoegaze from the genres spiritual home of Holyhead. Rumney Folk Club: The April Evening @ Rumney Folk Club, 7:00pm, £3.50 /
£1.50 (Musicians) * Simply the best and worst kept secret this town has to offer, in the intimate church of St Augustines. Get down there – with your guitar. Swn presents: Jodie Marie @ Norwegian Church, 7:00pm, £9 * A 20-year old songstress from Pembrokeshire, beholden of a subtle light-blues tone with Baez esq class – the perfect cocktail. Gomez @ The Great Hall 2, 7:30pm, £18 * Laid back, bald, electronic pioneer brings all the hits – and some of the misses to town. BBC NOW: Mahler’s Fourth Symphony @ St David’s Hall, 7:30pm, £10 £26 * One of Mahler’s most relaxed works – classical, song-like, culminating in a representation of a child’s view of heaven. Performed by the extraordinary BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Honey Fungus @ The Live Lounge, 7:30pm, FREE * Lovely covers and sing-along classics from veterans of ‘the lounge’. Captain Accident / Gigantic DJs @ The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE * Local reggae feel-good merchants take the stage for their monthly residency. Denuo @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Fabulous rural folk with an experimental – though accessible lilt. Leighton Jones @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * Old suitcase and guitar travelling folk from a cultured storyteller. Polemics @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * A feel-good mixture of hard-rocking covers and fun-loving originals, the perfect way to welcome the weekend. Tropical Boogie with Compadres & DJ Neil Stephens @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * If you want to get up and dance to Latin rhythms mixed with a strong funk beat, Compadres will get you grooving. Blues Dragon Present: Mike Hoddinotts Blues Allstars @ Cafe Jazz, 9:30pm, £4 * Electrified rhythm ‘n’ Blues, expect to hear your favourites; Muddy to Syl. Groovinators @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE * Upholding a long tradition of awful band names, Groovinators come bearing gifts; groove and …erm. Obey! @ Undertone, 10:00pm, £TBA * Deep house, deep underground – could there be a more perfect setting? Aperture featuring: Makoto / Deeizm / Drone Boy Lounge @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 10:30pm, £5 / £7 * A popular night of drum ‘n’ bass, hip-hop and breaks. Aperture always bring the best to Cardiff, blessed are they. Saturday 21 April Sion Russell @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE * Originals and covers from Cardiff’s singer songwriter extraordinaire. Catch him while you can!
Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 4:00pm, FREE * Morley, Morley, give us your answer do. The MMP are crazy, all for the love of you!!!
GIGS OF THE MONTH
The Full Moon, 8:00pm, FREE * In case you missed them two weeks ago, both Ped and Joe are back with their inimitable show. Thoby Davis @ The North Star, 8:00pm, FREE * Ze strange looper is back, more loopy than ever. Creative, inventive, eccentric, must see!
Wibidi / Cakehole Presley @ Chapter Arts Centre
SESH: Trystan / Greta Isaac / Maddie Jones @ NosDa, 8:30pm, FREE * NosDa’s own Trystan gets hands clapping with help from the musical ladies of the night.
A proper Cardiffian treat with Wibidi showcasing an aspect of the city’s core through their eclectic ragga, funk, soul, rock hybridism. With Cakehole Presley’s party spirit and timeperfected songs ringing out too, Chapter will be a-hum.out, but a demonstrable show of intent.
Candela @ Gwdihw, 9:00pm, £3 * This April Candela is ready to indulge your ears into the morning hours with the never-ending record boxes packed full to the very brim of sounds to make you salivate.
21 APRIL
Jubilate Chamber Choir @ Wales Millennium Centre, 6:15pm, FREE * In the true spirit of Wales, traditional choral song as God intended. A Parliamentary Gala Concert @ St David’s Hall, 7:00pm, £10.50 - £28.50 * A gala performance by performers assembled from; the Choir of the National Assembly of Korea, Southbank Sinfonia and the Royal Welsh College Liberty Big Band presents: Kings of Swing @ The Gate, 7:00pm, £10 * One of the UK’s newest and most exciting bands – bring to life music from the ‘golden age of swing’ from the magic of Miller to the silky sounds of Sinatra. This is an event not to be missed. Record Store Day 2012: Hatcham Social @ Clwb Ifor Bach, 7:00pm, £6 * Indie pop, beat group come to Cardiff with a brand new single and album. Smoking Aces @ The Live Lounge, 7:00pm, FREE * ACDC, Metallica, old-skool rawk from Live lounge regulars. Chantel McGregor @ The Globe, 7:30pm, £10 * When your song is so often compared to that of Jimi Hendrix, you know that you’re good! Honey Fungus @ The Live Lounge, 7:30pm, FREE * Lovely covers and sing-along classics from veterans of ‘the lounge’. Wibidi / Cakehole Presley @ Chapter Arts Centre, 7:30pm, £10 / £8 adv * If you cut Cardiff to its core, it may sound something like this; Funk, reggae, glam, folk… an eclectic mixture of old and new from Tiger Bay. Bleedin’ Noses @ The Yard, 8:00pm, FREE * Ah, quality folk with a more traditional and occasional bluegrass lilt. What is sure to be a special night for those in attendance. KYMO @ The Vulcan Lounge, 8:00pm, FREE * A lovely relaxing folky duo, spine tingling vocal harmonies. The Ped And Joe Show @
Analogue @ Undertone, 10:00pm, £TBA * Purists rejoice, modernists recoil. DJs spinning pure resonant discs all night long. Supersaurus @ The Live Lounge, 10:00pm, FREE * What do you call a dinosaur with no-eyes, do-you-thinkhe-saw-us?!?! What do you get this Saturday at Live Lounge…. Sunday 22 April Tony Morley @ The Live Lounge, 12:00pm, FREE * In his rightful place, Morley has the Sunday stage, perfect for his folksy style. Live Music Now! @ Wales Millennium Centre, 1:00pm, FREE * Emerging acts are given the stage, curated by ‘Make It Yours Festival’, this is sure to be a special moment for everyone involved. Capital City Jazz @ Wales Millennium Centre, 2:30pm, FREE * Cardiff’s finest big band. Expect to swing, to chill out and just y’know play it cool cat! Open Mic @ The Live Lounge, 3:30pm, FREE * Your chance to prove to the Lounge what they are missing, the stage is set, its up to you to step up. Marie @ The Live Lounge, 6:30pm, FREE * The merry tinklier tickles the ivories over a roast, delicious roast. An Evening With: Breed 77 @ Bogiez, 7:00pm, £10 * For the first time ever BREED 77 take their famed acoustic show on the road and they’ll be stopping at Bogiez this April. A very intimate show that will also be recorded live! One not to be missed! JLS @ Motorpoint Arena, 7:00pm, £32.50 * Just when we thought we’d got rid of them, you. You Cardiff, brought them back. So here you go.. Please welcome to the stage Jezebel’s losing streak. S & M @ O’Neills St Mary’s Street, 7:00pm, FREE * Simon and Marfunckle promise a rousing set of your favourite covers, every Sunday. Honey Fungus @ The Live Lounge, 7:30pm, FREE * Lovely covers and sing-along classics from veterans of ‘the lounge’. Laish / Ffred Jones (& Band) @ 10 Feet Tall, 7:30pm, £4 * With a sound that falls somewhere