What are the signs that summer is arriving in Cardiff? Well, there’s the blue skies and warmth in the air, which are both missing this evening – but there’s also the unmistakable sound of live music coming from within the castle walls. In this instance, the closing strains of Gwenno’s Dancing With Volcanoes floating in the air.
It’s Pride weekend, of course, and queer icon Mika is in town for the first time ever to kick off proceedings, with support from the aforementioned Gwenno and indie poppers The Feeling. The latter’s set is filled with bangers in the form of I Thought It Was Over, Never Be Lonely, Love It When You Call and a fair few more. Leaving the stage with a hearty shout of “protect the dolls” and “fuck Reform”, we’re suitably warmed up for what is coming next.
As the clock hits 9pm, a dramatic countdown fills the air with pulsing synths behind it as Mika’s band takes to the stage before the man himself appears in an excellent sparkling green suit with red trainers (wearing our colours, as he later comments) for Modern Times. “Tonight is super special to me,” he begins. “This is 20 years of waiting to say this… this is the first gig we’ve ever done in Wales. Noswaith dda Cardiff!”
To say there is a multitude of bangers tonight would be an understatement. The likes of Relax (Take It Easy), We Are Golden, and Ice Cream are all excellent – as are the sheer amount of outfit changes, with the green suit giving way to a pink counterpart, then a yellow cowboy number embroidered with roses. There’s even a bit of a wardrobe malfunction when the most fabulous silver glittery suit trousers split during Lollipop – in due course, Mika will throw the remains into the crowd.
Big Girl (You Are Beautiful) sees him talking about acceptance and the now long-gone Butterfly Lounge in California, before dancing and singing through the crowd in a moment so joyful that it’s impossible not to get sucked in. Grace Kelly generates a ripple of happiness throughout the castle, before one more costume change for the end of the night with Love Today.
Mika, The Feeling + Gwenno, Cardiff Castle, Fri 12 June
words JOSHUA WILLIAMS photos ZACK KINGSTON-BUTLER
