Uninterested To Unquenchable; Pure Noise Records Show Crowd What’s What
Published
From what begins to be a poor and rather unacceptable turnout when entering Cardiff’s Y Plas, eventually grows to be a reasonable and more suitable mob of late but loyal followers on 24th March. The five members of Light You Up enter the stage, adorn their instruments and kick straight in to their opening track ‘It’s about time’.
Quickly finding their pace, the group give a set to remember as frontman Tom Napier, set a new world record for number of fist bumps and high fives handed out while performing. Regardless of the crowds feet remaining frozen to the ground (with the exception of a handful of faithful fans), the enthusiasm of the pop rock quartet was not diminished as halfway through their slot, the eccentric singer decided to join the crowd and play the remainder of their gig beyond the barriers as what is left of the band soldier on and keep the front row entertained with their exciting performance. They may have entered the stage with only a select few admirers, but left it leaving the audience to question exactly how these five friends were simply an opening act.
Forever Came Calling being the next to grace the platform, begin bashing out some classic Californian pop punk with power riffs and snare slaps echoing around the venue. Through their set, the metaphorical fire subsequently lit by the first bands show seemed to have dwindled and burned down to ember form, leaving the four piece to take the back-burner and consequently exit, leaving an unfortunately disappointing result on the spectators.
Taking their places, Hit the Lights are joined by none other than Ben Phillips from British rock band Fastlane to replace Nick Thompson who has had to regrettably sit out a number of shows due to an inconvenient illness. In spite of this misfortune however, the remaining Ohio musicians burst onto the scene, knocking out a stellar back catalogue including tracks from their 2012 album, ‘Invicta’ and ending with their trademark tune "Body Bag".
As the night draws to a close, the last and most anticipated act of the show are ready to make an appearance. Finally the crowd receive a surge of adrenaline and come together to form a resonating roar as Four Year Strong enters the room. Playing songs from their 5 track 2014 EP ‘Go Down In History’, an appropriate response of circle and mosh pits swell in the centre of Y Plas but swiftly lose their rugged appearance as fallen fans are quickly helped to their feet by their sweaty comrades.
After a generous helping of a two song encore by the Massachusetts rockers, the lights eventually rise to reveal an ocean of content smiles from the onlookers which in most music lovers books, spells success for the entourages electrifying night in the welsh capital.
To find out more about each of the bands click below:
Words by Nathan Roach
