This article has been submitted by Cardiff BID
Following the news of a month-long Sŵn Festival hitting Cardiff this autumn, organisers have announced the initial line-up for the festival’s finale on Saturday 21 October.
With Sŵn now spanning across four weeks, there have been some big changes. Taking the festival back to its roots, Saturday 21 October will serve as a climatic finish to the festival.
The one-day event will be exploratory and energetic with a line-up boasting the very best emerging talent from Wales and the UK.
Sea Girls
The 2017 list includes some of Cardiff’s finest such as BOY AZOOGA, who only played their first gig in Clwb Ifor Bach in December, loud alt-rockers, HIMALAYAS and recent Catfish and the Bottleman support act, SAM FENDER.
From around Wales are CAMPFIRE SOCIAL who will bring their golden harmonies from Llangollen, along with Wrexham’s uplifting indie band, KIDSMOKE.
Coming to Cardiff from across the border are three-piece alternative rock group from Manchester and Oxford, FALSE ADVERTISING, London songstress, KEEVA, plus, Brighton’s band of the moment, MARTHA GUNN and broody trip-hop quartet, WHITE KITE.
Promoter and Sŵn Festival co-founder, John Rostron, said:
“When the Sŵn adventure began a decade ago, a big driving force for us was discovery. We wanted people to come to Cardiff and see the city we loved and called home. For people to hear great new bands from Wales and for the Welsh and wider music industry to pick up on them.
This year’s Sŵn Festival may feel a little different, but discovery will remain at the heart of everything we offer. With many people travelling into Cardiff for the closing weekend, we’ve made Saturday leaner and meaner, keeping Sunday clear for you to nurse hangovers and tired feet to head slowly home, ears packed full of great new discoveries.”
Wristbands for Sŵn are on sale now for £30. For more information and to get your tickets, go to swnfest.com. Follow @swnissound on Twitter.
Sŵn is in the running to win the Golden Welly Award for Best Independent Festival at the 2017 AIM Independent Music Awards. There is still time to vote here.
Sŵn Saturday October 21 line-up in full:
Ardyn
Gloucestershire two-piece Ardyn, comprised of twins Rob and Katy Pearson, deliver a brooding, atmospheric sound. Katy’s haunting voice is not to be missed.
Boy Azooga
For such a young band, Cardiff’s own Boy Azooga play ridiculously well-crafted and joyous summer pop that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Campfire Social
The aptly named Campfire Social are melodic alternative outfit from North Wales with soaring vocals and melodic harmonies that would fit right in alongside any beachfront bonfire.
Caro
Caro may be one of the brightest talents to come out of the north of England in recent times, their deep, bass heavy electronic sound and clever song writing make them a real stand out.
Dan Stock
Solo-artist Dan Stock makes heartfelt, emotion laden indie-pop that is sure to hit you right in the feels.
False Advertising
The raw and energetic False Advertising bring their emotion laced grunge to the capital.
Himalayas
Cementing their reputation on the South Wales music scene since their debut in 2015, The Himalayas are a brash, slick alternative rock group from Cardiff, and they’re gonna make some noise.
John Smith
Acclaimed singer-songwriter John Smith is a real independent artist, with an indie folk sound that he has taken with him on tours of America with the likes of David Gray and Gil Scott Heron.
JW Ridley
Art school grad Jack Ridley creates moody, The Cure-style guitar pop with driving drum beats for an enchanting set.
Keeva
London-based solo artist with an incredibly beautiful voice and a soft, personal touch.
Kidsmoke
Wrexham-based band, Kidsmoke make nostalgia-laden, The Smiths inspired indie pop.
Martha Gunn
Brilliant Brighton outfit, Martha Gunn are the band everyone’s talking about on the South-East coast, not least because of the enchanting voice of frontwoman Abi Woodman.
Sam Fender
Fresh from supporting artists like Catfish and the Bottlemen and Hozier on tour, Sam Fender brings his socially conscious, soulful indie rock to Cardiff.
Sea Girls
Sea Girls blend mature lyrics and infectious energy on stage to ensure you can’t take your eyes (or ears off them all set long).
White Kite
Experimental pop group, White Kite’s heavy guitaring and synth playing is a must see before they make it big.
Yowl
Peckham-based, Yowl are a dark, confident new band that make rough-edged alternative rock.
Trudy and the Romance
Fast emerging Trudy and the Romance have been turning heads of late with their Libertines-inspired vocals and raucous guitar playing.
This year’s festival is once again supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Open Fund, PRS, Stereoboard and AIF. New supporters for this year are Cardiff Business Improvement District (BID) and PPL.
About Sŵn:
Sŵn is the flagship new music festival for Wales. Taking place across venues in Cardiff for three days each Autumn, Swn brings together new and emerging bands and artists to play in the venues and spaces in the Welsh capital that support and nurture the best new acts.
Co-founded by Huw Stephens and John Rostron, Sŵn was the first multi-venue music festival in the UK outside of London, inspired by their trips to SXSW in Austin, Texas and Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavik.
Sŵn is a festival of music discovery. Disclosure; The Vaccines; Cate Le Bon; John Grant; Wolf Alice; Ben Howard; Sweet Baboo; Foxes; Alt-J; Gwenno, Marina & The Diamonds and many hundreds more have all played formative shows at Sŵn.
In 2016 the festival celebrated its 10th edition.
