There are few better places to spend a warm summer evening than Cardiff Castle, and on Saturday night the venue reaffirmed why Depot Live’s concert programme has become a reliable highlight in Wales’ live music calendar. With blue skies, a packed-out crowd and two consummate performers, it was a night that felt tailor-made for outdoor music.
Opening proceedings were The Divine Comedy, who received a rapturous welcome from the Cardiff audience. The Northern Irish band’s mainman, the ever-entertaining Neil Hannon, remains a great songwriter and storyteller, effortlessly switching between charm and beautifully crafted melodies.
Hannon’s relaxed, conversational style immediately won over the crowd, and it wasn’t long before thousands of voices joined together for a joyous rendition of National Express – the chorus echoing around the castle walls, creating one of those communal moments that outdoor concerts do so well. An equally spirited Something For The Weekend ensured the audience were ready for the main event.
As the sun began to dip behind the castle, David Gray and his band walked onstage to an equally warm Welsh welcome. There could hardly have been a more fitting backdrop for the Wales-born singer-songwriter, whose reflective, atmospheric music seemed perfectly matched to the golden evening light.
Gray opened with a newer number, Singing For The Pharoah, and immediately reminding the audience that while his back catalogue remains beloved, he continues to write with purpose and creativity. Throughout the evening, he chatted easily between songs – reflecting on the lengthy tour, writing during the COVID years and how good it felt to be performing back home in Wales. The conversation felt genuine rather than rehearsed, giving the show an intimacy despite the thousands gathered before him. Nos Da Cariad was a big moment: after all, where else could he perform that and get such cheers and support?
Gray’s ability to combine deeply personal songwriting with melodies that invite audiences to lose themselves completely has long set him apart, and that emotional connection was evident throughout the evening – whether during quieter, reflective moments or the bigger, more uplifting anthems. He stayed looking dapper, too, despite the sweltering heat.
Backed by a superb band, the arrangements were rich and textured, allowing Gray’s unmistakable voice to remain at the heart of the performance. Classics were greeted like old friends, with the audience singing virtually every word back to the stage, while the newer material sat comfortably alongside the familiar favourites. Please Forgive Me and Babylon were amazing, transporting listeners back to the days of their parent album White Ladder.
With Cardiff Castle bathed in the last light of the day and thousands of people singing together, it was one of those concerts where artist, audience and setting combined perfectly.
David Gray + The Divine Comedy, Cardiff Castle, Sat 11 July
words ANTONIA LEVAY photos KEVIN PICK
