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17.
January
2020.
Big Gig semi-finalists announced


17.1.20 

Twelve rising stars of Cardiff's music scene have been picked to battle it out at two Big Gig semi-finals in front of a panel of influential industry judges.

 

Fuel Rock Club on Womanby Street will host two consecutive nights of music showcasing the diverse range of talent in the city, ranging from high-energy punk, to R&B, folk-rock, hip-hop and experimental pop.

 

With a coveted spot on the bill at Sŵn Festival 2020, plus a £100 voucher for music shop PMT and recording time at Music Box Studios with legendary producer Charlie Francis - who has worked with a range of artists, from Future of the Left, to Turin Brakes, Robyn Hitchcock, Wilco and REM - winning the Big Gig is a big opportunity for local musicians to raise their profile.

 

Semi-final 1, on Tuesday 28thJanuary, will feature:

 

Aaronson:For fans of Explosions in the Sky and Mogwai. Nominated for Best Album at the Cardiff Music Awards, and twice voted band of Hub Festival, post-rock band Aaronson regularly make sounds across the south.

https://soundcloud.com/aaronsoncentral/june

 

Ailsa Tully:Inspired by choral music, folk and indie, Ailsa Tully creates a distinctive sonic world with her all-female band, often exploring her experiences of being a woman. Ailsa has been featured on BBC Radio Wales many times, toured Italy, performed throughout the country, including at Green Man Festival and the legendary Ronnie Scotts.

https://soundcloud.com/ailsatully/highly-strung

 

Blackelvis:Blackelvis, from Cardiff describe themselves as a new-age rock and roll band. A fusion of all types of music, they have been compared to Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against The Machine. Since their first gig in May 2019 they've had global radio play and have been in both the South African and the Australian Charts with their debut single "Gimme Ya Luv'.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4AG7gSQrwxWCrdEvACY48A

 

Blue Amber:Inspired by Jazz, Spoken word, experimental music, instrumental hip hop and post punk, Blue Amber has played several notable shows, including Hub Festival, and developed a loyal local following. They have released an EP and two singles, both of which debuted on Adam Walton's BBC Radio Wales show.https://open.spotify.com/track/1nUZaiXJljZG4C37L8lUyo

 

Dunkie:The project of singer/songwriter Anthony Price and Producer Wayne Bassett, dunkie is: "a complex and textured journey that delves deep into the human condition, bringing to light heartfelt musings on life, death, love and inevitable loss." - Broken 8 Records

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4rpi2rHKCM11voup6Y7zPX

 

Bloodshots:Six-piece psych rock band Bloodshots have been gigging in Cardiff and the surrounding area since August 2018 in venues such as the Moon, the Globe, Clwb Ifor Bach and LePub. In September the band expanded their sound, adding two synth players to their line-up.

https://bloodshots.bandcamp.com

 

Semi-final 2, on Wednesday 29thJanuary, will feature:

 

Blueyute:Blueyute is a Cardiff based Urban R&B Artist. BBC Introducing affiliated, he writes, produces and performs his own music using a SP-404 Sampler.

https://soundcloud.com/blueyute/alone

 

Charlie J:Originally from Lancashire but now living in Bridgend, Charlie J is a music producer/rapper whose music has featured on BBC Radio Wales and BBC introducing West Yorkshire. He performed at the Morecambe Kite Festival in 2018 and his single "Back of my mind" has been streamed 3000 times on Spotify.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cr9PnrF9g3bq2mOy2AD3i?si=glu1Zda4Rny1Ne4IL56Drg

 

Deadmethod:The project of singer/songwriter Lloyd Best, Deadmethod's music plunges into the depths of dark, experimental electronic pop as he explores sexuality, homophobia, love and loss with sobering honesty and poetic flair. Part of the Forte Project in 2018, Deadmethod supported Public Service Broadcasting and 65 Days of Static.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3B3cVlhfVXbKGC5YXlmUCn?si=SGzjcsdjQuew4WwvR9SNHw

 

Glass Jackets:Since their return following a brief visa-related hiatus, transatlantic folk-rock band Glass Jackets have been making waves around South Wales. Boston-born Ilana Held and Liverpudlian Elliot Oakley share vocals duties, adding country harmonies to the band's distinctive rock sound.Glass Jackets have over 4,000 YouTube views and over 2,000 Spotify streams.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6sSxvbUijGc8ZYwk1R5gOz

 

Jack Perrett:Jack Perrett counts BBC Radio DJ Janice Long as a fan, and has festival and in 2019 was selected for the BBC Horizons project. From Newport he has gone viral with music videos, been play-listed on Radio X and been supported with festival and gig opportunities by promoters, This Feeling.

https://open.spotify.com/track/6igrZiQgp4bKREGJnMcWWd

 

Nigel:Nigel are a high energy punk act with groovy basslines. Unique, with influences from grunge, punk and metal, to indie, jazz and blues, Nigel have been filling out headline shows in Cardiff's clubs of and have supported bands such as Pizzatramp, Wonk Unit and GBH.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2LeNlniDDaLJUJRf2QLTl0?fbclid=IwAR1pVg65ztmdKtTjVcnPJehWUZ1c8Y17ErLsKwbc-Iu16kIUmIGSBrl6yNk

 

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Peter Bradbury, said: "The exposure and prizes that come with the Big Gig could make a real difference to artists at the start of their career. But the Big Gig isn't just a great opportunity for the city's musicians, it's also a great chance to hear new music.

 

"Cardiff's music scene is a big part of what makes Cardiff such a great place to live. There's a lot of creativity and a lot of talent out there - couple that with the establishment of the city's first music board and it's a really exciting time to be involved in music in Cardiff."

 

Tickets for the gigs, which take place on Tuesday 28thand Wednesday 29thJanuary, cost £5 and can be bought on the door or in advance, via:

 

https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/cardiff-councils-the-big-gig-fuel-rock-club-tickets/10325475

 

https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/cardiff-councils-the-big-gig-fuel-rock-club-tickets/10325555

 

#MusicCity #TheBigGig