Yr Wythnos Fach / The Fringe week - Day 2 in Colwyn Bay
Pastel painted signs, curved glass art deco walls and chalk boards advertising smoothies; Speakers' Corner isn't your normal rock venue, but tonight this small corner of Colwyn Bay is home to night two of Yr Wythnos Fach, the Fringe festival week.
Tonight is also the hardest night of the week musically, with four uncompromisingly loud, hardcore and totally alternative North Walian bands getting a chance to live and breathe some Big Weekend excitement. All of which makes the choice of venue all the more unusual, but there is logic to this madness: Speaker' Corner is already a well-seasoned and respected rock venue in these parts. The staff continue serving unfazed by the chaos around them, even when someone mounts the serving counter on more than one occasion.
Although Speakers' Corner is the smallest of our Fringe gigs this
week, tonight has been vital in providing a platform for a genre that
struggles to gain acceptance outside of the big cities around the world.
Admittedly, the tunes are difficult to swallow at times, but to me it captures everything about new music that we first fall in love with: rebellion, expression, angst, and passion.
First up: . Think New York's Trash Talk or England's Gallows for good melodic, driven, tightly-played hardcore. Whatever they are singing about - and it all sounds rather unpleasant - the essential element is the excellent pact between the musicians, each throat-ripping scream delivered parallel to the cascading crescendo from bass, guitar and drums. Each member of the band is captivating to watch. It's an exciting start.Ìý
Next, . Big hair and eye-catching appearance aside, Kixxstart have been described to me as glam rock. They may not look it, but there's metal, melody, incredible musical showmanship (a la Slipknot) on the drums and guitar, and charisma abounding.
They throw a few crowd pleasing covers in the mix, too, from Placebo and Beastie Boys.
Bastions are on fire! They make a huge impact tonight, with singer Jamie making a passionate Southern Baptist preacher style call to arms to the hardcore crew of Colwyn Bay.
Jamie discovers new ways of expressing this genre of music, making it entertaining and accessible to even the most curious of passing punter tonight. These guys are ready for a bigger international stage.
Finally, teeter between hardcore and the more mainstream emo side of the genre, delivered with youthful energy and excitement. The faithful at the front know all the words and hang on every bounce. It's a lively end to the night.
Tonight we head to the heartland of Welsh speaking-Wales to a gig in Caernarfon. More from me tomorrow!
Previous posts:
Yr Wythnos Fach / The Fringe week - Day 1 in Wrexham
Bethan Elfyn presents Ö÷²¥´óÐã Introducing in Wales on Radio 1
Find out more about Yr Wythnos Fach / The Fringe Festival
Check out the line-up on the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Introducing stage at Radio 1's Big Weekend
Comment number 1.
At 10th Feb 2011, Katya wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)