Words: Ciaran Hiscox
Photos: Rhian Dixon
★★★★☆
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The American band, Sports, brought their unique blend of electric indie pop to Clwb Ifor Bach, creating a fun and engaging evening. Their sound combined nostalgic elements with modern, futuristic touches, crafting an atmosphere that was hard to resist.
This was emphasised by the lead singer's attire, which featured an all-white tracksuit and 80s-style sunglasses. As I stood in the crowd, I felt the powerful ability of the music to make everyone move. Starting with the songs ‘Nice 2 Meet Myself (Bang Bang Bang)’ and ‘Baby Baby’.
At times during the set, I was reminded of video game soundtracks, particularly those you might hear while driving around the cities in Grand Theft Auto or navigating the menus of old FIFA games. There was something about the combination of the instrumentals and the vocals that evoked a familiar, almost nostalgic feeling, as if the music belonged in the background of a game I had spent hours playing.
The live performance was a real highlight, with the lead singer's vocals blending effortlessly into the tracks. Rather than overpowering the instrumentals, they became another layer of the music, adding to the overall atmosphere. The band's sound was infectious, making it easy to get lost in the music and simply enjoy the experience. The lead singer's retro-futuristic style also complemented the performance perfectly, giving the show a distinctive visual identity that matched the band's sound.
The entire set flew by. It was song after song, never feeling boring or tiring, as the music just vibed and flowed through, embodying that chillwave aesthetic. Picture this: you are driving along the coast on a warm day in your convertible 1982 Chrysler LeBaron, with Sports as your soundtrack. That's how it felt.