The room is already buzzing by the time the first band steps onto the stage. With anticipation building for Mouth Culture’s headline set, early arrivers are rewarded with a strong opening performance from Swansea four-piece Black Havana. Making their Cardiff debut, they prove themselves more than capable of setting the tone; leaning into punchy, riff-driven rock, their set is loud, confident and packed with energy from the outset.
The highlight comes with R Time, whose explosive chorus sparks the first real movement in the room. It’s a strong first showing in the city, one that even earns them a nod from the headliners – Mouth Culture will later refer to Black Havana as “soon-to-be Cardiff legends”. Overgrown bring a darker edge to the night, their nu-grunge sound driven by thick guitars and brooding rhythms that carry a clear Deftones-style intensity, leaving the room hanging in tense anticipation.
When Mouth Culture take to the stage, their first chord rings out with such sudden force that it genuinely catches me off guard. Sharp enough to make me jump, from there the Leicester band settle into a set that leans heavily into their brand of alternative rock with clear emo influences.
Frontman Jack Voss leads the charge with restless energy, rarely standing still for long as he moves across the stage. Joined by guitarist Mason Clifford, bassist Todd Groome and touring drummer Max Nicolai, the Mouth Culture sound is marked by big choruses, confessional lyrics and guitar lines that carry both urgency and vulnerability. The crowd responds quickly, with a moshpit opening in the middle of the room early on – yet despite the movement, it never quite tips into chaos. Voss appears to keep a careful grip on the atmosphere, repeatedly gesturing toward the pit with slow, circling motions of his hands.
A highlight comes with 2025 single On And On, with Voss’ vocals shining through over a hard-driving drumbeat, and Ratbag draws one of the loudest reactions of the night, with voices from across the venue shouting the chorus straight back at the stage. Given the band’s reputation for intense live shows, there’s a sense that things could turn far wilder at any moment. Instead, the atmosphere remains surprisingly contained.
As the set comes to an end with a crash, the frontman makes it clear there’ll be no encore – a quieter ending to a set that, while energetic, never quite erupts in the way many had anticipated. Supposedly, Voss has pulled a muscle in his chest, which may explain why the set never hit full force – and indeed, he was later reported to have described the performance as “pretty tame”.
Mouth Culture, Black Havana + Overgrown, Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Thurs 2 Apr
words AMELIA JONES photos JOE VOZZA / INDIA SEUNARAYAN
