“Sit Down” singer, James, makes his way to Cardiff Castle
Words: Arran Clark
Photos: SceneBean
Photo: SceneBean
A lay in the grass of City Hall just a strut away from the entrance to Cardiff’s not so hidden gem, listening to the belter that is Jamie Webster on stage warming up the crowd for Manchester’s finest daisy icons.
It truly felt like the hottest day of many years considering I am writing this with sweaty hands (and maybe rethinking that sentence) but what a day to see the wonders of James in the idyllic Cardiff Castle, with the essence of nostalgia and love in the air which flows through the 90s classics provided by support act, Shed Seven, chasing rainbows without a single drop of rain even in the air.
James walked on, absolute radiance, and throughout the whole set every persons face was beaming with sweaty smiles. She’s A Star echoed across the castle grounds every word illuminating the night with grace and comfort, before Say Something brought tears into my ears and out through my eyes which had dried up in the heat. The air is thick with heat and a chorus of voices singing Come Home, I concur everyone felt like they were already there.
Photo: SceneBean
The final beams of the evening’s sun sets over the castle as the biggest daisy I’ve ever seen is set ablaze in the glow, behind the stage, on the screens that all night were enticing and capturing everyone in a trance, singing their bloody hearts out, each word like a mantra that could be heard carried off into the night long after the music stops.
It started with a single, simple, click from Lead Vocalist, Tim Booth, and ended with an anthemic BANG James Laid down at the last minute, taking everyone’s breathe away and leaving them with dreams of Beautiful Beaches and luscious Sound.
A feel good, felt good and feeling great kind of evening. The kind of evening I would never have wanted to miss.
With great thanks to Rhodes Media and FOMO Magazine UK for the opportunity to cover as Bean. As well as Depot Live for putting on one of the best shows in terms of accessibility, sound and showcase in Cardiff - especially for a big one - that I have been at for a long time. Truly was a tick off the big list of gigs to go to and I couldn’t have picked a better day or place, onto the next and onto many more big summers at the great Castell yn Caerdydd.