Sawtega, a quartet from south Wales, open tonight’s three-act bill with what’s essentially a hometown performance: waiting for Clwb Ifor Bach’s doors to open a little earlier, quite a few people in the queue mention they were here to catch their set. Blending metalcore and grunge, they’re a relatively new band, but play with confidence and to a decent-sized crowd, which never hurts, and singer Izzy Warren hits the high notes during a set drenched in dramatic and heavy tracks. Debut Sawtega EP All Blood Dries comes out in November.
Main support Love Rarely are playing a one-off gig here, before a set of dates next month opening for Static Dress. I saw them earlier this year, playing with The Callous Daoboys, and instantly liked them, indeed they’re the main reason I’m here tonight: think the guitar-playing skill of Into It. Over It’s Evan Weiss, times two, and a powerful vocalist who could own Paramore but also screams like she’s in the Blood Brothers.
Hitting the ground running with tracks from their excellent debut LP Pain Travels, Love Rarely’s mix of melody, aggression and precision makes them one of the best bands breaking out this year. I briefly spoke to Love Rarely singer CJ Levitt, in between her selling merch and making an exit for the long drive home to Leeds: she’s softly spoken, genuine and at ease chatting to fans or posing for photos.
When headliner Cassyette hits the stage, the sold-out room is busy enough that space is at a premium. Having just returned from Europe, where she had an opening slot with Hollywood Vampires, this is a tiny club show in comparison. The first notes of September Rain ring out and I move through the crowd to see Cassyette centre stage, flanked by a drummer encased in what looked like a plastic box and a guitarist playing one of those spiky 1980s style models.
With her blend of almost all upbeat music genres, it’s a real late-night Saturday-in-the-city atmosphere, despite only being 9pm. Cassyette plays with real joy and zeal tonight, a true performer with the crowd in the palm of her hand: it’s a very slick and professional performance from someone clearly at home on the stage. A treat, certainly, to see her in such a small venue – something I imagine won’t happen often in the future.
Cassyette, Love Rarely + Sawtega, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 26 Sept
words and photos ROSS PEACEY
