Depot in the Castle’s one-day festival
Words: Rhys Reviews
Photos: Ceirios Bebb
★★★★☆
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People who know me in real life know that there is one thing I simply cannot get on board with: camping!
Having completed my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award many years ago (and, at one point, having to be rescued during the expedition, by the way), I have never been particularly fond of the idea of going on an excruciatingly long walk, pitching a tent, and trying to sleep on the floor. Because of this dislike of camping, one thing I have truly missed out on is the wide array of festivals that take place around the country.
When I discovered that Depot in the Castle was coming to Cardiff Castle (a short bus ride from my home) for a one-day festival that required no camping whatsoever, I knew I could not miss out!
Photo: Ceirios Bebb
Going into this event not knowing many of the bands on the line-up (with two notable exceptions), it was a fantastic opportunity for me to discover some new artists and music to add to my ever-growing playlist, and Afro Cluster are absolutely a band I will be keeping a close eye on in the future.
The Afro-Celtic fusion band from Ely injected immense energy into the crowd from the very moment they stepped onto the stage, maintaining a dynamic presence throughout their entire set. I have to admit that there were some microphone issues during their opening track, which made it somewhat difficult to fully appreciate the vocals on display. However, once the problem was swiftly resolved, the band showed exactly why they are considered one of the most exciting and fastest-rising acts in South Wales. Seeing such an incredible Welsh band perform in the heart of Cardiff Castle was fantastic, with lead singer Skunkadelic even finding time to showcase his Welsh language skills, which was a lovely touch.
Every track in their set highlighted the immense talent of each band member. From the wide range of instruments on display—including a wonderful trumpet player who added a distinct jazz flavour to the music—to the lead performer effortlessly switching between impressive rap, spoken word, and powerful singing, there was never a dull moment.
My favourite performance from the band came during the closing moments of their set when they performed their 2023 original song, ‘We On The Up’. It was an uplifting and empowering anthem about rising above hate, maintaining faith, and believing that one day those who doubted you will be looking up at your success. Not only was the message incredibly moving, but the song itself was so catchy that I found myself humming it for hours after they had left the stage.
I have to admit that I was initially very apprehensive when four performers dressed in traditional traje de charro outfits—complete with the largest sombreros I have ever seen in real life—walked onto the stage.
I wasn't entirely sure what the audience would be subjected to for the next hour or so, but my early fears could not have been more misplaced. In fact, by the end of their performance, The Mariachis were my clear favourites of the entire one-day festival line-up. Even days later, I am still thinking about multiple moments from their set and the overwhelming joy they created. I think it's fair to say that the group knew many people in the audience would have had similar preconceptions.
Photo: Ceirios Bebb / The Mariachis
They initially leaned into those expectations by performing stereotypical Mariachi-style introductions, only to quickly reveal that they had something very different in mind. What followed was a series of brilliant covers of beloved British classics that sent the audience into an absolute frenzy. People were singing, dancing, and celebrating along to many of the songs you would expect to hear at any great family party. In classic Mariachi style, the group accompanied themselves with guitars, accordion, and trumpet while also showcasing their remarkable vocal abilities. One standout performance was their rendition of the Human League's 1981 classic ‘Don't You Want Me’, which was one of the most energetic versions of the song I have ever heard. I don't think anybody in the audience—myself included—would have imagined blending this iconic 80s anthem with a Mariachi arrangement, but once again The Mariachis demonstrated just how talented they are.
The crowd erupted into song and dance as the familiar melodies echoed around Cardiff Castle. The good vibes continued as the quartet delivered excellent renditions of ‘I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)’by The Proclaimers, ‘YMCA’ by Village People, ‘Don't Look Back in Anger’ by Oasis, and ‘The Final Countdown’ by Europe, all of which received thunderous reactions from the audience. It wasn't just British party classics that the group shared, however. They also embraced their Mariachi roots by performing a selection of Spanish-language songs. One of the highlights of the set saw the group perform the iconic ‘Tequila’ by The Champs, a performance overflowing with joy from both the musicians and the audience. I was genuinely unaware that the song contained any lyrics beyond the famous "Tequila!" refrain, so hearing the band perform a full vocal version was fantastic.
The Mariachis brought their set to a close with one of the most recognisable Spanish-language songs in the world ‘La Bamba’. This performance held a special place in my heart because I vividly remember a Spanish teacher encouraging our class to learn the song for an upcoming Eisteddfod. As a result, hearing it close the show was not only highly entertaining and perfectly suited to the performers' style, but it also carried a wonderful sense of nostalgia.
Having done some research before attending my first-ever Depot in the Castle event, the act I was most excited to see was the fantastic Ben Ellis. I have actually been fortunate enough to interview Ben on my YouTube channel, which you can watch below.
As someone who grew up very close to where I live, seeing a local artist achieve such remarkable success and perform at Cardiff Castle felt incredibly special. Having followed Ben's music for a long time, I had certain expectations going into his performance. Not only did he meet those expectations, but he completely surpassed them and set a new standard for what I expect whenever I see him perform.
One of my favourite songs from Ben's catalogue is the wonderful 2025 hit ‘Nobody Sleeps in Hollywood’, so when the opening notes began, both myself and many others in the crowd completely lost our minds. What I particularly love about this track is how the verses feel stripped back and almost spoken-word in style before building into a much fuller and more expansive chorus. Ben leaned heavily into this contrast during the live performance, allowing the audience moments to focus on his incredible vocals before unleashing the full power of the song.
Photo: Ceirios Bebb / Ben Ellis
Later in the set, Ben performed a song I was unfamiliar with, but by the time the stage changeover had begun, I was already searching for it to add to my Spotify favourites. ‘Move, Honey’ is an emotional and powerful exploration of heartbreak that Ben co-wrote with the incredibly talented Elis Blake, who also performed alongside him throughout the set. Having the person who helped create the song standing on stage and performing it in front of more than 7,000 people must have been a genuine "pinch-me" moment for Elis. I think this is partly why the performance felt so powerful. Both performers amplified the emotions of the song beautifully while simultaneously showcasing just how vocally talented they are. However, Ben didn't limit himself solely to his own material. He also treated the audience to a fantastic rendition of ‘Dakota’ by Welsh icons Stereophonics. It felt particularly fitting to see one Welsh artist celebrating another while performing in Cardiff Castle—it doesn't get much more Welsh than that. This song also holds a special place in my heart. When I was younger, I regularly attended wrestling shows, and one of my favourite wrestlers used to make his entrance to ‘Dakota’. As a result, this performance wasn't just a treat for the ears; it also carried additional layers of Welsh pride and personal nostalgia, making it the perfect icing on the cake.
One of the headliners of Depot in the Castle 2026 was none other than the iconic Sugababes. I thought it was the perfect decision to open their set with one of their biggest hits, ‘Freak Like Me’. Not only is it an instantly recognisable song that had the audience singing and dancing from the outset, but it also allowed the trio to embrace the theatrical side of their performance with impressive choreography while simultaneously showcasing the incredible vocals that made them such a successful group. The song also allowed each member of the trio to demonstrate their individual vocal talents through a series of impressive runs and flourishes.
While each performer sounded fantastic individually, there was something truly magical about hearing all three voices come together. The Sugababes also performed their 2003 hit ‘Hole in the Head’, another energetic crowd-pleaser that had the audience singing along in unison. The trio clearly understood how much the crowd loved the song, pouring tremendous energy into every vocal line.
One aspect of the performance that I particularly appreciated was the opportunity given to the band's guitarist to step into the spotlight and perform a centre-stage solo. Not only was it a fantastic musical moment, but it also demonstrated the group's willingness to share the spotlight with their supporting musicians—something not every major act takes the time to do. One of the most powerful moments of the entire set came during their performance of the 2005 hit ‘Ugly’, a song centred around self-acceptance and embracing the qualities that make us different. The message remains just as relevant today as it was when the song was first released. This was also one of the few occasions throughout the event where an artist fully utilised the massive screen behind the stage. Key lyrics were displayed on-screen, making it easier for audience members unfamiliar with the song to follow along while simultaneously encouraging everyone else to sing at the top of their lungs.
Overall, my first experience of Depot in the Castle was not only a fantastic opportunity to broaden my musical horizons but also a surprisingly emotional and nostalgic experience. Seeing a collection of Welsh artists perform at one of the country's most iconic venues was incredibly special, while several of the songs performed happened to carry unexpected personal connections and memories for me. I would certainly attend again in the future.
