upfront Eye Cymru
At the onset of autumn, something special will light up the skies above Cardiff Castle. For the latter half of October, the capital hosts what promises to be a memorable spectacle: EYE Cymru is an immersive, collaborative performance between light artist Chris Levine, Massive Attack co-founder Robert Del Naja, ever- busy, sometime Super Furry Animal Gruff Rhys, poetry-meets- rap crossover icon Kae Tempest and Mercury-nominated singer- songwriter Nick Mulvey.
In an effort to bring people, torn apart by COVID, back together in treasured public spaces, Levine and partners are planning a unique laser show: choreographed to work with the prevailing weather conditions, in harmony with 3D sound and designed by Björk collaborator Marco Perry.
Weekends in October will feature live performances between Rhys and Levine (Fri 15-Sun 17), with the latter then joining Mulvey for three further dates (Fri 22 Sun-24). On other dates, a pre-recorded set featuring work by all four collaborators will be aired. For those who cannot make these dates or for whom Cardiff is a stretch, a deal struck with Visit Wales and the Welsh Government will see the performance tour ‘iconic locations’ around the country over 2022 and 2023, with Levine also planning a residency at next year’s Glastonbury.
Sŵn Festival
In which this annual new music jamboree returns to the fray and compels hundreds of (mostly, probably) young people to bounce back and forth between a series of tightly-situated locations, shout a bit, climb on each other’s shoulders and generally get up close and personal. Should you remain of a mind where this very prospect curdles your blood, avoid Sŵn Festival! If not forever, then certainly for 2021.
I can say this in the course of bigging it up because (a) Sŵn is a responsible event organised by responsible people and (b) its post- lockdown comeback edition, taking place solely on the bumpin’ strip of Cardiff’s Womanby Street, has sold very well to the point where, by the time you read this, you may have to comb the undergrowth for resale tickets. A combo of accrued respect, Sŵn having launched in 2007 and happened every autumn save for the last one, and a lineup of eclectic fun is responsible for this.
The organisers – it’s currently programmed in-house at Clwb Ifor Bach – have always emphasised new and rising acts in their selections, but have doubled down on this of late. Of the 70 or so names billed across three days, few have been around more than a few years, and even fewer could reasonably be called household names. Rather, there’s a “see the stars of tomorrow” ethos at play here, which has certainly transpired at Sŵns of yore. Buzz makes no claim to have the inside dope on music industry ascendancy, but can highlight some names for you.
From the Welsh scene, there’s the brilliant psych-country epic ambition of Alice Low, playing her debut Cardiff show; Clwb Fuzz, who supply suitably distorted acidic rifferama; Teddy Hunter, making sound art accessible; Mace The Great, one of the best rappers from Wales in forever; and XL Life’s absurd and moshable herberty punk/hip-hop. From further afield comes Sinead O’Brien, a Limerick-originated, London-based “postpunk poet” and wearer of fine white suits; Real Lies, kitchen-sink synthpoppers and veterans by this Sŵn’s standards; the ultra-icy protopostpunk of Deep Tan; and classic Scotpop sophistication from Hamish Hawk.
Various venues, Womanby Street, Cardiff, Fri 15-Sun 17 Oct. Tickets: £40 weekend/£15-£30 per day. Info:
swnfest.com
NOEL GARDNER
Chris Levine is known for producing eye-catching displays. His portraits of the Queen caused a stir: one, Lightness Of Being, presented the monarch apparently caught dozing between sittings. Throughout his career, he has worked with a broad, impressive list of collaborators, from Mario Testino to the Eden Project (where EYE was given its original test), along with stage and lighting design for artists including Antony & The Johnsons and, on several occasions since 2008, Massive Attack.
It thus comes naturally to Levine to push himself to create something greater through collaboration than might be achieved alone. He certainly has high aspirations for the performance: “By mixing beautiful sound and light, we will bring the audience to the present moment – a moment of stillness presented as an opportunity to dive into a collective trip of connection through the senses where – you never know – we might just change our world forever!”
Cardiff Castle, Thurs 14-Sun 31 Oct. Tickets: £12.50-£27.50. Info:
eyecymru.com
HUGH RUSSELL
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Swn Festival – Alice Low
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