If you live anywhere around Cardiff, you’ve probably seen that big purple poster plastered with“Immersed Festival”. Leaflets in cafes and shops, promo posts across Instagram, even posters hanging outside of Misfits. It was pretty impossible to miss.
The annual festival, usually held in Clwb Ifor Bach , levelled up to Tramshed this year. The upgrade meant four different stages, each with its own vibe. The main stage and Hex stage bought high energy chaos, while The Waiting room offered something a little more intimate and laid back. They even had a converted cinema turned acoustic stage, a calming more intimate escape from the noise everywhere else.
The fest, hosted by USW, had over 40 artists, each unique and showcasing the best of Cardiff’s talent. Here were my five standouts:
- The Poached
Cardiff Uni’s very own The Poached bought serious alt-rock energy to the fest.
The five piece have been around for roughly three years. Frontwoman Daria complexly commanded the crowd. At one point she steppe down into the audience, parting people like the Red Sea, grabbing hands, twirling audience members around and around.
Her voice drives the bands sound. Powerful and confident.
2. Meat Dress
If you don’t think metal is for you, Meat Dress might change your mind.
The four-piece performed on the Main Stage, their lead singer Rosie, indistinctively recognisable with her neon orange hair and latex red top, demanding attention.
Her voice glides between raw power and intensity, delivering a sound that feels visceral and electric. Despite being the only heavy metal bands on the lineup, Meat Dress left a serious impression.
Metal has never been my first choice at a festival, but Meat Dress made a strong case for it. Their set was impossible to ignore and easily one of the most memorable to me.
3. Girl Band
This British Norwegian band was an instant standout. I’m talking choreo, drama and sass. The whole package. I knew I was in for a good time when one member casually screamed “This song is about contraception”.
Their pop, post punk energy had the whole crowd moving. Even the hardest looking indie boys couldn’t help but boogie to their girl power anthems.
What struck me most was slightly more personal. I go to gigs around Cardiff nearly every week and it’s the same old thing. Indie boy bands after indie boy band. Don’t get me wrong, I love an indie boy band as much as the next person. Even when bands involve women, there’s usually only one member (of course with exceptions like Lady Garden. A fantastic Cardiff girl group).
So, when Girl Band stepped out on stage, honestly, it was genuinely refreshing. Their energy is infectious, and their essence of girlhood and femininity radiated from the main stage.
If you like Charlie XCX, Wet Leg and Lily Allen, you’ll definitely want to take a listen.
4. Papaya Noon
Cardiff based Papaya Noon offered something completely different.
Blending jazz infused melodies with soul and the soft female vocals of lead singer Annie, their set oozed effortless coolness. The five-piece had the largest online following of all the bands at the fest, and there’s no wonder why.
Their warm atmospheric sound feels like it belongs in a dimly lit late-night bar while you sip an overpriced cocktail. And I’m here for it.
Having just been featured on BBC Horizons and a long-awaited EP on the way, Papaya Noon look set for a big year.
5. The Meritones
The Meritones are a band I’m already familiar with, and they never disappoint.
This Bristol/ Cardiff psych-punk and garage group bring heavy riffs, fuzzy psychedelia an eye-catching stage presence every single time. I’ve seen them three times now, and somehow each feels crazier and bolder. Always moshing. Crowd surfing, always inevitable.
If you like loud gigs (and I mean really loud), The Meritones should be on your Radar.
Immersed festival felt like a real celebration of young creative talent in Cardiff. And not just on stage.
Behind the scenes were the incredible University of South Wales students running photography, lighting, sound, event management, social media and film production. Their work shaped the entire atmosphere and was a testament to Cardiff’s student community.
Immersed didn’t just showcase Cardiff’s next generation of bands, it showcased the next generation of Cardiff’s music industry too.
