GIITTV’s 20th Anniversary event: Adwaith, Chroma, Carwyn Ellis, The Honest Poet, papaya noon, Half Happy, Kaptin (DJ) – The Gate, Cardiff, Saturday 30th of September

Today, we are excited to announce that joining our 20th anniversary event at The Gate in Cardiff on Saturday 30th of September 2023, are one of Wales’s best-kept secrets, righteous bilingual noise pop trio Chroma, as main supports.

They are gearing up for the release of their debut album and will be joined by master Welsh songsmith Carwyn Ellis of Rio 18, Colorama and The Pretenders live band, who will be playing an exclusive stripped back set, and practitioners of soulful lo-fi pop Papaya Noon, who will ease you into the late afternoon. Finally, on the decks we have former Boomtown booker and local legend Kaptin who will be bringing the party with his encyclopedic collection of hip hop, soul, disco music and beyond.

They join a bill that already boasts three awesome acts. Two-time Welsh Music Prize winners and GIITTV favourites Adwaith who will be headlining, emerging artist The Honest Poet, who blends soul, hip hop, and pop into personal songs full of heart. Opening the show are one of our tips for 2023, Half Happy, a wonderful bittersweet indie pop band who have captured our hearts in recent months.

Doors are 3pm with the acts starting at 4pm. Tickets are twenty pounds in advance and more on the door, book here.

This event is in conjunction with our friends at Joyzine who are also celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, we will be helping promote events around this landmark in due course. Also the charity Hope Not Hate and the fine online publication the Zine.

 An independent publication, GIITTV, started in 2003. This was an era even before blogs, before YouTube, and Twitter. Inspired by webzines like Drowned in Sound and the punk zine spirit of Repeat fanzine, I started posting my early reviews from the Cardiff University newspaper, Gair Rhydd on a basic Yahoo Geocities page. Over the years I was then joined by writers from around Britain and the world, GIITTV has evolved through many incarnations and evolutions as a website and publication, now boasting a passionate and hardworking editorial team, over 200 writers, and the contributions of artists and web designers, without whom this website would not have grown and thrived for so many years. With a solid following, we hope we have grown into one of the most lasting online portals for music and culture around. We have always championed the artists that excite us no matter their level or label from throughout the country and beyond, providing a platform for emerging artists and groups. The site also has a special focus on Welsh music over the last decade, championing the new Welsh wave of artists. We have developed this by spotlighting as many genres as we can in the principality, sponsoring a stage at the Focus Wales festival and by featuring the likes of The Anchoress, Adwaith, Carwyn Ellis, Aderyn and many more on our podcast Show Me Magic.

As well as delivering a stream of quality writing, our achievements over the years include raising £5000 for Help Musicians from a R.E.M. Covers compilation that was endorsed by the band, helping to promote several charity shows including G Spot in London and Mind Fest in Cardiff, staging shows by the likes of Frightened Rabbit, My Sad Captains, Orphans and Vandals, HMS Morris and Vessels and many more. Our deputy editor, Simon Godley, received an award for best festival journalist at the Festival Congress.

With an independent voice free of corporate constraints, we have always believed in giving new artists and writers a platform to gain experience, hone their craft, and explore their passions. We are powered by the goodwill, knowledge, and passion of our writers, the support of labels and artists, and the readers. We hope this event marks this special occasion in style, with an event celebrating some of Wales’s finest artists and acting as a thank you to everyone involved, set in the heart of Cardiff at one of the city’s most impressive venues- a converted church with listed status as a building.

Tickets here: https://www.gigantic.com/giittv-20th-anniversary-tickets/cardiff-the-gate-arts-centre/2023-09-30-15-00

NEWS: Chroma, Carwyn Ellis, Papaya Noon And Kaptin (DJ) Complete GIITTV’s 20th Anniversary Event At The Gate, Cardiff In September – God Is In The TV (godisinthetvzine.co.uk)


Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Cardiff Micro Music Festival

This year sees Cardiff hosting a new independent music festival. The first ever Micro Music Festival at the Fuel Rock Club on Saturday July 15th. The Festival features some of the best Welsh independent bands on the independent music scene.

Aderyn, Feverjaw, The Rivers, Who Are The Monsters, Frakard, The Rusty Nutz, Hidden Shackles and Those Heavy Souls.

There are 50 early bird tickets up on sale for the very low price of £8. Buy your tickets through the link below.

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/cardiff/fuel-rock-club/cardiff-micro-music-festival/2023-07-15/14:00/t-avzrvrl



Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Jammy Releases New Single ‘Sing’

JAMMY is a singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist from Cardiff. Heavily influenced by Nik Kershaw, Tom Petty, John Mayer and all things 80s, JAMMY has previously released a full length album and is working on his second album. Sing is the first release of three proposed single releases before the release of his latest album.
Jammy has also produced a full length album for BBC Radio Wales A-Lister Kaysha Louvain.

“A hugely talented musician and passionate producer. Jammy has played a vital part in finding my sound. After
working tirelessly on my debut album for the past two years, I am so pleased that the world get to hear his new music. Sing has a fresh take on that unique 80’s sound, lyrically fantastic and has a delightful chorus hook that will lend itself greatly to radio” – Kaysha Louvain

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Lemongel Release New Single ‘Some Nights I Win’

Cardiff based groove and funk band Lemongel release new single ‘Some Nights I Win’ from their upcoming EP. This unique track is melodic with a chill out vibe.

Some nights I win,
Sometimes nights I lose,
Though we always end it in the room…

She asks why,
And I say who, 
Wouldn’t fall in love with someone like you


The band say of the song:

“The lyrics for this song hit very close to the heart, extracting the essence of a relationship. Full of hardship and insecurity. Full of the best and worst moments, it can be a rollercoaster or an empty room with two people. A song about wanting the balance but struggling to find. An intense melodic ride with a vulnerable Dionysian base.

This song was written reflecting back on a difficult experience, under a new light. The pandemic helped fuel this new way of looking at things, to look forward rather than backwards, and this too is reflected in the song as none of it would have been achieved without accepting the outcome and moving on.
 

Their song will be showcased on the 26th April at The Flora, Cardiff and on the 29th April at All Roads Festival!

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Junior Bill Releases New Single ‘Teeth’

Junior Bill, the ‘21st Century Joe Strummer’, spins a tale of post-Brexit isolation in dub-pop anthem ‘TEETH’ 

After the roaring success of Junior Bill’s first 2023 single ‘Boys From Jungle’ – praised, played and playlisted worldwide – then the mournfully and politically-loaded follow-up ‘Flag of St George’ comes the third Junior Bill single of the year. ‘Teeth’ is a melancholic reggae number about a lonely, isolated society where sugar passes for joy and life stays stagnant around a tiny cul-de-sac in post-Brexit Britain. 

Junior Bill is the project of Cardiff songwriter Robert Nichols – acclaimed as ‘a 21st Century Joe Strummer’ by BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson earlier this year. The group have found support both locally in their home country of Wales as well as internationally on radio and press in Australia, Spain, Brazil and Canada. Turning debut album ‘Youth Club!’ into a series of singles released over the course of the year, has shown a broad range of reggae, psych, indie and blues that has a core element of storytelling about pressing and urgent politicised life.

The songs of Junior Bill reach into the lives of others in an unusually empathic way, whilst still remaining extremely “singable”. Gigwise said “it’s a political maturity set against a childlike honesty that makes Junior Bill so intriguing.” ‘Teeth’ tells the story of an elderly woman who can’t stop eating sweets, living a lonely life in a Truman Show-style world where people “live and work and die” all in one isolated neighbourhood. It’s all somewhat reminiscent of Britain’s increasingly claustrophobic societal atmosphere. This toy-town is recreated in the song’s video, a naive stop-motion animation made by Junior Bill and his friends. The track deals with themes of isolation, the loneliness of ageing, our increasing inability as a nation to care for the vulnerable, as well as the song’s main hook singing of the both immediate and deeper long-term need for the country’s national healthcare.

In the live music scene Junior Bill have made a lasting impression, opening for Supergrass during their reunion shows after a supporting tour with drummer Danny Goffey, then last year making their debut at Glastonbury Festival. The band returned to their hometown of Cardiff in January to a packed out show, and have a series of dates to come throughout the UK whilst releasing more singles and then the debut album ‘Youth Club!’ before the end of the year.

LIVE DATES:

29th April – All Roads Festival, The King Arthur, Glastonbury – solo

4th May – The Canteen, Bristol – band 

5th May – Fork & Tune, Cwmcarn – band

26th May – How The Light Gets In Festival, Hay on Wye – solo

28th May – Devauden Festival – solo

3rd June – Golden Lion, Bristol – band

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

The Vanities Release New Single ‘Private Army’

The Vanities return in 2023 with brand new single, “Private Army”. A notable departure from their signature 80’s sound, “Private Army” is an epic orchestral affair, a haunting lament on the folly of humankind in the new era of war in Europe.

The Vanities are an electro-rock duo from Cardiff made up of Rhys Bradley (vocals/guitar) and Adam Hill (bass guitar). Following a riotous period of early success in the noughties, the band retreated into a self-imposed, decade-long exile before returning in 2021 with their critically acclaimed album, “2001”.

Lead single “London” was singled out for particular praise and enjoyed heavy rotation on BBC Radio Wales, leading to the band supporting New Romantic legend Tony Hadley on his 40th anniversary tour in 2022.

The band will be playing a small number of select “unplugged” shows in support of the release.

01/04/23 – The Second 45
15/04/23 – TIWNFEST
29/04/23 – HMV Cardiff
16/05/23 – Acapela Studio w. Peter Cox (SOLD OUT)
17/05/23 – Acapela Studio w. Peter Cox

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Show Dogs Release New EP ‘Y Rhwd Gwelw’

Composed of members of long-standing Cardiff stalwarts TJ Roberts, Rainbow Maniac and AHGEEBEE, Show Dogs meld acerbic observations of contemporary Welsh life and politics, set to a chamber-pop soundtrack. Artwork comes from photographer Elijah Lewis Thomas and Ben Wood.

On Y Rhwd Gwelw, translated as ‘The Pale Rust’, Show Dog’s continue their exploration of contemporary Welsh life and the country’s political landscape. Opening with the track ‘Tropical Republic’, the lyrics consider the potential future of a Welsh republic, particularly lead singer TJ Roberts’ propensity for romanticising such a distant prospect. Second is the single ‘Don’t Go In The Water’ which explores the pollution of welsh waters and the paranoia induced by living so close to irradiated mud. The EP closes with the band’s namesake, ‘Show Dogs’, an republican anthem dealing with national identity and monarchy.

The band continue to move towards a more rich and orchestral instrumentation, including a wide array of percussion, vintage synthesisers and twelve-string guitars evoking ‘Village Green’ era Kinks and The Boo Radleys. Engineered and produced by Thomas V Westgard and Secondson (Danielle Lewis, Super Furry Animals) at After Life
Studios. Show Dogs proclaim that punk is not dead in Wales and its message has arrived in 3-part harmony.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Black Heart Drifters Release Music Video For ‘Mary Celeste’

South Wales band Black Heart Drifters launch their very first music video for the cool and moody ‘Mary Celeste’ from their album ‘Outlaws Under A Western Sky’.

UPCOMING GIGS:

Friday 26 May: Cruisers Rumble Fest, Southam RFUC

Saturday 03 June: The Patriot, Crumlin

Friday 11 Aug: James Turners Birthday Bash, Lydney Town Hall

Friday 18 Aug: The Pitt, McCanns Newport

Friday 08 Sept: Summer Sales Fest, Kemble

Saturday 23 Sep: Dros Ben Tan, NeathFriday 08 Dec: The Pitt, McCanns, Newport

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Red Telephone Release Video for ‘Waiting For Your Good Days’

Cardiff post-punk outfit ‘Red Telephone’ are set to release their highly anticipated debut album ‘Hollowing Out’ on the 31st March 2023. The only single taken from it ‘Waiting For Your Good Days’ is out now.

Hailing from Cardiff, Red Telephone’s richly layered alt-rock could have emanated from a club in Blade Runner’s dystopian LA – combining angular guitars, Krautrock-inspired rhythms and New Wave-tinged synths with infectious pop sensibilities. Drawing on post punk and synth pop influences, the band has been catching the attention of DJs across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1, Absolute Radio and Radio X; with comparisons to the likes of MGMT, Super Furry Animals, Mitski and Berlin-era Bowie being drawn. The band have recently appeared at BBC 6 Music Fringe Festival, Focus Wales, Swn Festival, Other Voices and Llangollen Fringe, supporting Warmduscher. With previous single releases on Welsh-based labels Libertino Records and the Popty-Ping Recording Company, the band’s highly anticipated debut album is set to be released in March 2023.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com

Red Telephone release new single ‘Waiting For Your Good Days’

Cardiff post-punk outfit ‘Red Telephone’ are set to release their highly anticipated debut album ‘Hollowing Out’ on the 31st March 2023. The only single taken from it ‘Waiting For Your Good Days’ is out now.

Hailing from Cardiff, Red Telephone’s richly layered alt-rock could have emanated from a club in Blade Runner’s dystopian LA – combining angular guitars, Krautrock-inspired rhythms and New Wave-tinged synths with infectious pop sensibilities. Drawing on post punk and synth pop influences, the band has been catching the attention of DJs across BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 1, Absolute Radio and Radio X; with comparisons to the likes of MGMT, Super Furry Animals, Mitski and Berlin-era Bowie being drawn.

The band have recently appeared at BBC 6 Music Fringe Festival, Focus Wales, Swn Festival, Other Voices and Llangollen Fringe, supporting Warmduscher. With previous single releases on Welsh-based labels Libertino Records and the Popty-Ping Recording Company, the band’s highly anticipated debut album is set to be released in March 2023.

Emily Marsden – Editor
#MusicSceneWales
@MusicSceneWales
musicscenewalescymru@gmail.com