They may have taken the scenic route but Cardinal Black are finally here, and they’ve got plenty of stories to tell on the Rock City stage...
My first impressions of Cardinal Black were drenched in sweaty stupor. Quite literally. Witnessing their live show two years prior in the middle of a heatwave, their hazed-bluesy grit enough to blindside you without the use of a smoke machine, was a memorable one indeed. They were in this very venue supporting The Struts, and now they’ve adapted that pastiche of understated rock into a headlining slot.
The ‘oldest new band in the world’ was a welcome addition onto my playlist – and clearly many others! Given they were only recently held off the number one spot on the iTunes Rock Chart by Blink-182, they’ve navigated the backroads of Wales to the open highways of international integrity. Not too shabby.
It may be pelting it down with torrential rain this time round walking down Talbot Street, yet that buzz of kindred spirits is all the same for tonight’s show.
Inviting us within this minimalism for maximalism factor is Rosie Frater-Taylor. Indie inflections are overlayed by jazz standard syncopations; although her sound is sonically different to that of our headliner, it’s no surprise she’s opening the tour. Much akin to our Welsh rockers, her songwriting is deeply personal. It reaches into your own troubles and highs, concocting them into an uplifting anecdote for respite, and overwhelmingly comforting you in its tribute. We’re genuinely invested. Rosie commands the intonation of her voice beautifully – oscillating between a soft lilt and a powerful grit – all while maintaining the rapture of the audience. I’ll be sure to catch her on her own tour soon.
There’s only a brief hiatus, the standard interluding discussions of “Did you check out the Lemmy bust in the foyer?” and “Did you grab a picture of it?” and “Did you find yourself a guitar pick?” keeping us entertained. Apparently, there was a hide-and-seek-esque element before the show had even started. The band had hidden a few guitar picks around the venue, forgoing the usual scramble for a setlist or pick at the end of the night. If the content crowd were anything to go by, it sounded like more than just a fair few were up for grabs. Lucky!
Guaranteed to grab our attention is Cardinal Black. We’re suspended in darkness, the stage illuminated only by their logo as they take to their places in a demure fashion. Warm smiles and acknowledging nods are thrown our way before they move swiftly into their opening numbers Ride Home and Falling.
A rather bold choice choosing two unreleased tracks to begin a set, yet a choice that is a pleasantly plosive start to a show. Frontman Tom Hollister has a casual manner, bearded and flat capped, but an arrestingly rich voice that reels you in with its simplicity and keeps you hooked with its baritone of character. It’s a gift that only a select few are blessed with – and that seems to be the narrative of the band in general. Debuting these tracks tonight is a decision that reflects their utmost respect in their fanbase, and with Chris Buck’s technical yet deliberate execution of the guitar, you’re never just listening, you’re waiting for that killer solo or riff.
It’s at times during the set when Hollister completely stops singing with words, and Buck makes his instrument sing almost lyrically. He’s a fairly subdued character on stage but it just adds a mis en scène element to his effortless playing: he doesn’t simply play the guitar so much as he uses it to channel emotions. Chris Buck is a guitarist well known within the guitar world but it’s criminal that his name isn’t commonplace on everyone’s lips.
What is well known to us is that of Tell Me How It Feels. Anthemic in its passionate sentiments, that staggered drum fill drops us right into a heartfelt call-and-response. Acoustics stripped back, it’s an emphatic production of yearning – aided by the addition of Gregg Hollister on keys and Tili on backing vocals – and falls beautifully into Terra Firma.
Our audience participation is turned up to the max in Warm Love, our harrowing “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!” gliding gently into Buck’s resplendent guitar work.
Throughout the evening, the conversation between the band and the crowd makes this more than just a play through of tracks: this is a wholesome group of immense talent, yet they haven’t lost their touch. They’re genuinely fans playing for fans. They love the music; they love what they do; they love the fans and the evidence is clear on stage.
Where Do You Go? ties up the night in an unequivocal labour of love, leaving us with a tangible feeling of longing for an encore. When Hollister and company return to the stage, Tied Up In Blue culminates the evening into resigning content. Cardinal Black exude genuine soul in their music that makes you really feel. They are a group that takes pride in what they release and what they play, and tonight’s stage show is evident that there are no gimmicks involved, they flourish on their own merits as the quality of their music speaks for itself.
Cardinal Black performed at Rock City on 8th October 2024.
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