Aled Rheon – The Hayes┬á

Aled Rheon represents what S┼Án Fest is all about. Performing his carefully written songs in both Welsh and English, the musician broadly appeals to all while standing up for his heritage. Peaceful and soothing melodies filled The Hayes during his performance on the circular stage. Reminiscent of Dallas GreenÔÇÖs side-project, City and Colour; the artist demonstrated how minimal production can, in some cases, make a maximum impact. RheonÔÇÖs heart-warming songs and Welsh lyrics aided him in standing out from the highly talented line-up. The singer is proof that Welsh-speaking acts still have something to offer the music industry today.┬áIT

Maddie Jones – The Hayes┬á

Performing a mix of crowd pleasing covers and original material, Ellie James took to The Outdoor Stage on the Sunday of S┼Án Fest. Hordes had gathered in The Hayes to witness the 19 year oldÔÇÖs sweet, acoustic songs. Delivering her whimsical musings with a stronger voice than most performers on the circuit; EllieÔÇÖs folk-tinged sound was far from passively appreciated. A cross between Nina Nesbitt in her early YouTube covers, and Gabrielle Aplin; the audience lapped up each and every one of her songs. Having made her debut live performance at S┼Án Fest back in 2009, itÔÇÖs clear that the event aids up-and-coming talent rise to the top. Expect more good things from Ellie Makes Music in the near future.┬áIT

 

Ellie Makes Music – The Hayes┬á

Performing a mix of crowd pleasing covers and original material, Ellie James took to The Outdoor Stage on the Sunday of S┼Án Fest. Hordes had gathered in The Hayes to witness the 19 year oldÔÇÖs sweet, acoustic songs. Delivering her whimsical musings with a stronger voice than most performers on the circuit; EllieÔÇÖs folk-tinged sound was far from passively appreciated. A cross between Nina Nesbitt in her early YouTube covers, and Gabrielle Aplin; the audience lapped up each and every one of her songs. Having made her debut live performance at S┼Án Fest back in 2009, itÔÇÖs clear that the event aids up-and-coming talent rise to the top. Expect more good things from Ellie Makes Music in the near future.┬áIT

 

Temples – Clwb Ifor Bach┬á

The pleasure of closing the festival, at Clwb in any case, fell to the capable hands of Kettering 4-piece Temples. Being able to produce a distinguishable sound in a market immersed with young British guitar bands is something that many have found difficult, but TemplesÔÇÖ psych-heavy, colourful pop sound provides gives them a much-needed edge.

You shouldnÔÇÖt allow the bright sparkly tops, the permed hair or the glittered eyes to fool you; Temples are a band up for a lawless show. ÔÇ£This oneÔÇÖs called Prisms, now letÔÇÖs have itÔÇØ adjures front man James Bagshaw before the band enter in to the kaleidoscopic b-side from the bandÔÇÖs debut single.

That debut was released just one year ago, and such has been TemplesÔÇÖ significant rise, Bagshaw seems to forget where the band have played, declaring the S┼Án show their first in Wales despite performing to an impressive crowd on the banks of an estuary at PortmeirionÔÇÖs Festival No.6 just a couple of months earlier.

Part way through the set it becomes clear that the crowd isnÔÇÖt quite as up for a lively one as the band are. ÔÇ£If you canÔÇÖt dance, danceÔǪ and if you can dance, show offÔÇØ encourages Bagshaw before the rumbling bass of ‘Ankh’ kicks. ItÔÇÖs not that the audience isnÔÇÖt digging it, but perhaps the effects of four days festival-ing have set in.

The set moves through a drop in tempo as Temples draw the crowd in with the hazy ‘Move With The Seasons’ before bringing proceedings to a close with ‘Colours To Life’ and finally, their debut single ‘Shelter Song’. ItÔÇÖs the debut that may serve as a benchmark, but on the evidence of this performance itÔÇÖs one that Temples are more than capable of reaching for years to come.┬áLM

 

Childhood

Days before S┼Án, Childhood were paraded by NME as part of ÔÇÿYoung BritanniaÔÇÖ, cast in the drawn out tirade to convince people that a bunch of guitar bands are the most exciting thing to happen to British music in decades. Possibly more a hindrance than help, but one thing was for certain, Childhood needed to bring something exciting in a live setting.

ItÔÇÖs immediately clear that theyÔÇÖre incredibly tight, with front man Ben Romans Hopcraft delivering every line with considered enthusiasm against a backdrop of dreamy guitar hooks and infectious bass lines. Releases have been notable for echoed vocals and use of effect units, but everything translates clearly in a live environment.

Closing with a rapturous rendition of┬á’Solemn Skies’ followed by their debut ‘Blue Velvet’, the band leave the stage having made a real impact, suggesting that Childhood might have what it takes to make it to the top of the aforementioned bunch.┬áLM┬á

 

Waxahatchee

Katie Crutchfield is an unassuming presence. Among the lavish arches of Westgate StreetÔÇÖs Angel Hotel, the brain and heart behind Waxahatchee takes to the the stage alone, and can seemingly barely bring herself to make eye contact with the room-filling crowd she has drawn. Solo, Crutchfield is an endearingly slight figure. Strumming forlornly at her guitar, the audience is granted an insight into the girl who crafted such an unashamedly raw and open debut album tucked away in the bedroom of her parental home.

However, it is undoubtedly this yearÔÇÖs sophomore ÔÇÿCerulean SaltÔÇÖ that will define Waxahatchee. A runaway critical success, the album expanded on the stripped back ambiance of debut ÔÇÿAmerican WeekendÔÇÖ, adding more complex instrumentation without losing the personality of CrutchfieldÔÇÖs solo bedroom recordings. Such a change is echoed tonight as Waxahatchee transitions from solo performance to full-band bombast.┬á Exploding into life with a one-two of ÔÇÿCoast To CoastÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿMisery Over DisputeÔÇÖ, the grungier, sludgier aspects of CrutchfieldÔÇÖs output take hold.

The alternation between quiet, soulful introspection and brash, ferocious snarl perfectly personifies the Swn weekendÔÇÖs diversity. Something for everyone is offered throughout the four-day extravaganza, and as Crutchfield closes the weekend, she herself reflects this wonderfully vibrant bout of escapism. WeÔÇÖll see you next year.┬áTC