DIM SWN
live
Various venues, Cardiff
Sat 18 Oct
pic: JON POUNTNEY
Since 2007, when Huw Stephens and John Rostron put their heads together to create the Swn festival,
it very quickly became something of a musical behemoth. Last year’s event garnered quite a mixed
reception: positives about the quality of the bands and the sheer amount of talent on offer but yet quite
a few negatives about the organisation and ticketing. The latter caused many people to spend more
time waiting (without guarantee of entry) outside of the venues than inside them.
This isn’t going to be a problem for 2014, however, as there have been some big changes. The two most
obvious are the name change (the addition of ‘dim’ – ‘no’ in Welsh – seems oddly negative) and the
fact that it is now being held over a single day compared to last year’s three.
The announcement for this year’s event trickled through much later than usual, prompting fears
that it wouldn’t be happening at all, but thankfully on Wed 3 Sept, the south Wales music scene was
allowed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The number of bands and venues have obviously had to
be slimmed down considerably, with most of the action now taking place in the bars and clubs lining
Womanby Street; Gwdihw and Buffalo catering for acts in the east end of the town. The lineup is still
looking strong and the focus is still very much on Welsh artists.
One of the highlights must be a very rare solo show from Super Furry Animals’ Cian Ciaran, with one
of his other projects Baby Queens also making the bill. Other Welsh favourites lined up to play include
Kizzy Crawford [pictured], Trwbador and Seazoo, whilst Grumbling Fur, Prides and the conspicuously
un-Welsh Blaenavon make up the best of those from outside of the country. At least this way of doing
things prevents huge international names (Deerhunter, I’m looking at you) from pulling out. Gig-goers
who live life on the edge are no doubt waiting for further line-up additions, but with numbers much
more limited this year, you’re advised to get tickets sooner rather than later.
Tickets: £24 (£12 for ages 14-17). Info: www.swnfest.com BEN GALLIVAN
pic: TOM BARNES
NIC JONES
The Garage, Swansea
Thurs 9 Oct
Ni