WORDS AND IMAGES SAM HOLT
Cast are playing Cardiff at a unique venue that acquired its name from its former use, as a Tramshed for west Cardiff, now re-purposed as an arts centre and while not quite a sell-out is extremely well attended.
Cast formed in the 90’s at the height of the Britpop scene, for vocalist John Powers it was a departure from his previous band The La’s. Fast forward and they have just been announced as a support band for the much-anticipated Oasis tour next year. Are they gaining somewhat of a revival? maybe, the band are somewhat re-invigorated with a new album “Love Is The Call” which was their highest UK charting album since 1999, on which Power played bass, something he had done previously when he was in the La’s. They remain a popular act, and tonight I was excited to hear their new work performed live. Recorded music might be a terrific fill in, but nothing matches hearing music played in a live setting.
Stanleys, a young band from Wigan, opened proceedings tonight as support; their sound and style compliment Cast perfectly. Unfortunately, the sound mix for the vocalist was muddy, and the final song of the set felt overly bass-heavy. Despite this, they played an excellent set. “If anyone was up for dancing tonight?” they enquired before playing “A Better Life,” it was clear that they were well received by the audience, as they closed with “Why Would I” to loud applause and whistling.
Cast took to the stage just after 9pm their set started with a couple of songs from their first album All Change, the second song, “Fine Time”, frontman John Power informed us was their first single, before treating us to title track of their new long player “Love Is The Call”, it’s a great album, that complements the others beautifully though the style could be described as a prequel with an almost 60’s/ 70’s vibe running through it.
Of the new songs I really liked the “Smile On Your Face”, it lifts you and really does leave you with that smile on your face, and the bright and bouncy “Rain That Falls”, looking around me it’s evident that not only me, but the Cardiff crowd love it too, “Faraway” reminds me of a certain Oasis track. I wonder if John realised when he introduced “Bluebird”, a beautiful folk style song that the local football team is known as ‘The Bluebirds’?
The Scouse band performed a raucous version of “Walkaway” that was well received by the audience, who waved their arms and sang along in unison. They exited the stage after performing a tremendous version of “Free Me”; as John and guitarist Liam Tyson left, we were left with James Lewis’ on bass and drummer Keith O’Neill demonstrating what a fine rhythm section they are before the lights went out.
A few moments later, the ‘quartet’ returned to the stage for an encore and launched into “Starry Eyes”. I loved how well the two guitars interacted together during the start to “History”. Vocalist John went on to thank everyone who came out tonight, saying that they had deep admiration for everyone who came out, and that we want to leave you with a track called “Alright”.
It was more than acceptable; it was an excellent song to close the set, the band performed admirably, and the audience adored them. As a band, they clearly liked performing for the Cardiff audience tonight, and the crowd loved them and the night, as evidenced by the numerous positive comments I heard as I left the venue.
SET LIST
1/ SANDSTORM
2/ FINETIME
3/ LOVE IS THE CALL
4/ RAIN THAT FALLS
5/ LIKE YOU DO
6/ FLYING
7/ GUIDING STAR
8/ BLUEBIRD
9/ FIRST SMILE EVER
10/ FARAWAY
11/ IM SO LONELY
12/ LIVE THE DREAM
13/ WALKAWAY
14/ TOMORROW CALLS MY NAME
15/ FREE ME
16/ STARRY EYES
17/ HISTORY
18/ ALRIGHT
FOLLOW CAST
FOLLOW STANLEYS
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
