At the gates the site is completely transformed and it suddenly feels like that festival experience with masses of security and Police, gate checks, and everyone around just being in that friendly and talkative mood. Everyone is just eager to get into the grounds and for many tonight it will be their first live show since the pandemic began.
Main support comes from Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes who also appeared at Glasgow Green with Biffy Clyro. Cardiff can be a fickle place, either the crowd kicks off with barely a foot taken on stage or they act shy and often need a push. No one else does it quite like Frank though. He leers into the crowd giving that look of a parent disappointed in their childs lack of interest, why aren’t they more excited and in to this? Frank remedies this, always putting himself at risk as he clambers off the stage and into the crowd to finally get some movement going. Although plagued with technical problems the band don’t seem to let it get to them. As the sun sets over the bay and their cover of Motorhead roars out the speakers it reaffirms that live music is truly a unique experience.
Given that Biffy Clyro have recently headlined Reading Festival to around 100,000 people and just days prior played Glasgow Green this smaller step up sees their stage show shrunk down but for regular Cardiff gig goers that’s not an unusual experience. Our smaller venues often mean bands are unable to use their full set up or unable to use fire/fireworks but it never seems to hinder the cities love and appreciation for live music as this once empty lot now filled with elated Biffy fans proves.
This time the crowd doesn’t need that push, from the moment the band take to the stage the crowd is raring to go. They’re ready to sing their lungs out and for an hour and a half people are ready to leave any anxiety and pandemic fears behind them for this band.
The pacing of the setlist shows Biffy are masters at their craft, they know how to please and as the show progresses there’s hits for the new and older fans, including recently released track ‘Unknown Male 01’ taken off the bands upcoming album ‘The Myth of the Happily Ever After’. Biffy are one of those bands when I saw many years ago play a small uni hall you knew then they were always destined to be headliners, arena fillers, that band different generations can enjoy and after 20 plus years of hard graft it’s incredible to see their journey continue to new heights. Parents dance with their young children, friends are out laughing and drinking together, couples (old and young) kiss as their favourite track starts, even the security are seen enjoying this delightful performance.
The way Simon talks to the crowd is with a genuine kindness as he uplifts fans throughout the set by speaking Welsh and professing “Ain’t no singing like a Welsh crowd singing”. The extra musicians on stage don’t go amiss either and only enhance the performance and depth of their songs. Biffy Clyro are a band that never disappoint live, their sound is always momentous, even the effort that goes into the production such as the video overlays that change to match album artwork or the tracks mood.
There was always going to be high expectations for this show and Biffy Clyro did not disappoint. This outdoor show was the prefect gateway back into seeing live shows for many and an unforgettable one at that.
Diolch yn fawr, Biffy Clyro.
10/10
