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LEONARD COHEN
Motorpoint Arena , Cardiff Tue 3 Sept For nearly 50 years , Leonard Cohen has been combining his keening , darkly humorous lyrics with plaintive folk music to create music of singular beauty . He first came to prominence at the fag-end of the hippy era with songs that brought him flattering comparisons to Bob Dylan and Paul Simon . Since his first album , Songs Of Leonard Cohen , he ’ s created a style that is completely inimitable , and yet hugely influential . Sometimes derided for being ‘ depressing ’, melancholic would be a better description , his oft-overlooked humour keeps the darkness in check , and when he sings lines such as “ I was born like this , I had no choice / I was born with the gift of the golden voice ,” with a vocal air redolent of late nights , whiskey and cigarettes , it takes an effort of will to keep the smile from your face . Now a spry 78 , Cohen seems to relish performing with concerts lasting for hours . He has been known to return for up to five encores while performing with the grace and verve of a man half his age . This is Cohen ’ s first visit to Cardiff in five years , and – sad as it is to contemplate such things – may well be his last , so don ’ t miss this chance to see a performer who really does deserve the title ‘ living legend ’. Tickets : £ 25- £ 75 . Info : 029 2022 4488 ( DG )
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THROWFEST 2013
Hobos , Bridgend Sun 11 Aug Dust off your studded collar , get out your Ozzy wig and pull on your skinny black band tee and anything else that may make you look as brutal as possible , and get yourself to Hobos in Bridgend on Sun 11 Aug to experience Throwfest . The day will feature some of the best touring metal , hardcore and indeed metalcore talent , sure to give you a splitting bangover on Monday morning . The event , sponsored by Monster Energy Drink and established by Dirty Dog Promotions , is back for a second time after last year ’ s huge success . Leading the lineup are Glasgow-formed Bleed From Within , a band renowned for groove infused riffs , bruising melodies and the growling vocals of front-man Scott Kennedy . Infectiously catchy Canadians Liferuiner also stand out of the bill , having recently U-turned on writing traditionally depressing metal lyrics , instead encouraging listeners to “ believe in the dreams worth waking up for ”. Other highlights include charismatic headliners Devil Sold His Soul and post-hardcore group Heights , critically acclaimed by Kerrang !, Metal Hammer and Rock Sound among other publications . Come down to one of South Wales ’ premier rock venues to see a perfect example of how this genre is still dominated by vast amounts of gifted musicians always willing to push the limits of their music . Admission : £ 12 /£ 10 adv . Info : www . hobosmusicvenue . com ( TH )
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MERCHANDISE
The Globe , Cardiff Tue 27 Aug It never seems to have been confirmed if Merchandise are named after the Fugazi song Merchandise , a definitive razz to corporate would-be co-opters of the culture they built . It would make a sort of sense , insofar as Merchandise are very much a product of the DIY hardcore scene in Tampa Bay , Florida , playing in various noisy and utterly uncommercial groups . On the other hand , the quintet sound nothing like Fugazi , or much else that ’ s commonly understood to be ‘ punk ’. Active since 2008 or so , their wish to craft something from the punk-shunned music they liked – 80s synthpop , foppish indie , Krautrock and jazz – found an appreciative audience in the American underground , less so in their own scene . Over time , and circa last year ’ s LP Children Of Desire especially , the upper tiers of the music press climbed aboard – and why not , for Children ..., while distorted and weird , displays a rangy grandeur in its songwriting chops . Totale Night , an album-length five-song EP , complemented it earlier this year . Although Merchandise ’ s catalogue to date has been released either by themselves or on tiny indie labels , their previous DIY punk asceticism has clearly relaxed : this lengthy UK tour includes two Carling Weekend dates . Their natural environment , you imagine , is in slightly smaller venues like this one . Tickets : £ 8 . Info : theglobevenue @ gmail . com ( NG )
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WALL2WALL FESTIVAL
The Swan Hotel , Abergavenny Sat 31 Aug + Sun 1 Sept It ’ s a good time to be a jazz fan in South Wales : Abergavenny ’ s very own Black Mountain Jazz Club are hosting their first festival , and it ’ s set to be a whopper . On the last day of August and the first of September , wall2wall Festival will see a wide range of local , national and even international jazz maestros gather at the Swan Hotel ( and a nearby marquee venue ) in order to give the people what they want – jazz , in case you hadn ’ t guessed . Particularly exciting is the inclusion of big names such as master trumpeter Damon Jones , singer-songwriter-cum-essayistcum-poet Sarah Gillespie [ pictured ], and celebrated band leader and saxophonist Gilad Atzmon . However , South Walian heroes Heavy Quartet , formed way back in 1983 , and RWCMD graduates Martha Skilton and Ben Treacher will be there to showcase some of the best of what the local scene has to offer . Kicking off with free event Jazz Through The Ages – a whistle-stop , family-friendly tour through jazz ’ s dynamic history , led by Parliamentary Jazz award winners Brass Jaw – and culminating with the aforementioned Gilad Atzmon , performing with his band the Power Cats the weekend really does cater for jazz novices and jazz connoisseurs alike . So mark the date , tell a friend , and make sure that this year ’ s festival isn ’ t the last . Tickets : £ 30 marquee package per day ; individual prices vary . Info : 07958 612691 ( PM )
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